Ozempic (semaglutide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are brand-name injections. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes, but doctors may sometimes prescribe it off-label for weight loss and management. Wegovy is approved for weight loss and management.
This article explains the main similarities and differences between Ozempic and Wegovy. If you’re considering taking one of these drugs, discussing this information with your doctor can help you decide whether one of these treatments is suitable for you.
Key differences between Ozempic and Wegovy
The main differences between Ozempic and Wegovy are:
- Dosage and dose forms: Doctors typically prescribe Wegovy at a slightly higher dosage than Ozempic. Both drugs come as prefilled injection pens. But Ozempic pens contain multiple doses of the medication, while Wegovy pens contain a single dose. (See the “Dosages, forms, and administration” section.)
- Conditions treated: Doctors prescribe Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss and long-term weight management. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved Wegovy for this use. Doctors may prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss. Both drugs have FDA-approved uses that differ. (For more information, see the “Uses of Ozempic vs. Wegovy” section.)
With off-label use, a drug is prescribed for a use other than what the FDA has approved.
Here’s information about the generic status of Ozempic and Wegovy and details on their active ingredient.
| Ozempic | Wegovy | |
| Generic available | no | no |
| Active ingredient | semaglutide | semaglutide |
| Drug class | glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ozempic and Wegovy for the following uses.
- Ozempic is FDA approved to:
- help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise
- help lower the risk of serious cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
- help lower the risk of kidney failure, worsening kidney disease, and death from cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic (long-term) kidney disease
- Wegovy is FDA approved to:
- help with weight loss and long-term weight management, along with diet and exercise, in:
- adults and children ages 12 years and older with obesity
- adults with overweight and at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes
- help lower the risk of serious cardiovascular problems in adults with obesity or overweight and cardiovascular disease
- help with weight loss and long-term weight management, along with diet and exercise, in:
Doctors sometimes prescribe Ozempic off-label to help with weight loss and long-term weight management, along with diet and exercise. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a use that the FDA has not approved.
Ozempic or Wegovy and children
Wegovy is FDA approved to help weight loss and long-term weight management in children ages 12 years and older with obesity.
Ozempic isn’t approved for any uses in children (people under age 18 years). However, doctors may sometimes prescribe Ozempic off-label to help with weight loss and long-term weight management in certain children. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a use that the FDA has not approved.
The following table lists the form, dosage, and frequency of administration of Ozempic and Wegovy according to the conditions they treat.
Dosage for adults
Here are the recommended dosages of Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and dosages of Wegovy for weight management in adults. Doses are in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) of solution.
Because Ozempic is not FDA approved for weight management, the manufacturer does not provide dosages for this purpose. If your doctor prescribes Ozempic for weight management, they will recommend the dosage that is right for you.
| Ozempic for type 2 diabetes | Wegovy for weight management | |
| Form | subcutaneous injection | subcutaneous injection |
| Strengths | prefilled multi-dose injection pen: • 2 mg/3 mL • 4 mg/3 mL • 8 mg/3 mL | prefilled single-dose injection pen: • 0.25 mg/0.5 mL • 0.5 mg/0.5 mL • 1 mg/0.5 mL • 1.7 mg/0.75 mL • 2.4 mg/0.75 mL |
| Dose | • weeks 1 to 4: 0.25 mg • weeks 5 to 8: 0.5 mg • weeks 9 to 12 (if needed): 1 mg • week 13 onward (if needed): 2 mg | • weeks 1 to 4: 0.25 mg • weeks 5 to 8: 0.5 mg • weeks 9 to 12: 1 mg • weeks 13 to 16: 1.7 mg • week 17 onward (if needed): 2.4 mg |
| Frequency | once per week | once per week |
| Given by | self | self |
Note that these are the same dosages of Ozempic and Wegovy for helping lower the risk of serious cardiovascular problems in certain adults. For details on the Ozempic dosage for helping lower the risk of kidney failure, worsening kidney disease, and death from cardiovascular disease in certain adults, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Ozempic injection pens come with disposable single-use needles. You will need to attach a new needle to the pen each time you administer a dose. You will turn the dose selector on the pen to select your dose. You can use each pen for 4 or 8 doses, depending on the strength and dose your doctor has prescribed.
Wegovy injection pens come with a needle attached. Each pen is for single use only. It delivers one dose of medication. You’ll use a new pen each time you take a dose.
You (or a caregiver) will need to inject Ozempic or Wegovy under the skin of your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Your doctor or other healthcare professional can teach you how to use the injection pen. You’ll also find instructions in the medication guide that comes with the injection pen.
Children’s dosage
Wegovy is FDA approved for weight management in certain children ages 12 years and older. The recommended dosage is the same as the adult dosage described previously.
Sometimes, doctors prescribe Ozempic off-label to aid weight loss in certain children. In this situation, the child’s doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for your child.
Both Ozempic and Wegovy contain semaglutide. Some of the side effects of Ozempic are the same as those of Wegovy, though some also differ. Side effects may be more common with Wegovy because doctors typically prescribe it at a slightly higher dosage than Ozempic. The following table lists some of the side effects reported in clinical trials of these drugs.
For more details about side effects of the two drugs, refer to the Ozempic prescribing information and Wegovy prescribing information.
Mild side effects
The following table lists some of the more commonly reported mild side effects of Ozempic and Wegovy. The table may also include mild side effects that are less common but that you might have concerns about.
| Mild side effects | Ozempic | Wegovy |
| nausea | ✓ | ✓ |
| vomiting | ✓ | ✓ |
| diarrhea | ✓ | ✓ |
| abdominal pain or bloating | ✓ | ✓ |
| constipation | ✓ | ✓ |
| headache | ✓ | |
| fatigue | ✓ | ✓ |
| indigestion | ✓ | ✓ |
| dizziness | ✓ | ✓ |
| gas or burping | ✓ | ✓ |
| mild allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. If the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
The following table lists the reported serious side effects of Ozempic and Wegovy.
| Serious side effects | Ozempic | Wegovy |
| risk of thyroid cancer | ✓ | ✓ |
| pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) | ✓ | ✓ |
| hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) | ✓ | ✓ |
| gallbladder disease | ✓ | ✓ |
| acute (sudden) kidney failure due to dehydration | ✓ | ✓ |
| increased heart rate | ✓ | |
| severe allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
Ozempic and Wegovy have a boxed warning for risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Precautions for Ozempic and Wegovy” section.
If you have serious side effects while using Ozempic or Wegovy, call your doctor immediately. If the side effects feel life threatening or you believe you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
Ozempic has not been directly compared with Wegovy for helping with weight loss. However, based on a review of studies, Wegovy may lead to more weight loss than Ozempic. This is likely because doctors typically prescribe Wegovy at a higher maintenance (long-term) dosage than Ozempic.
The review found that people who took 2.4 milligrams (mg) of semaglutide lost more weight than those who took 1 mg of semaglutide. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in both Wegovy and Ozempic. The typical maintenance dose of Wegovy is 2.4 mg. The typical maintenance dose of Ozempic is 1 mg (maximum 2 mg).
Prescribing information: For details about how these drugs performed in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Ozempic and Wegovy. Keep in mind that trial results may not apply to your individual health situation.
Treatment guidelines: Another way to see whether a drug is considered effective is to look at treatment guidelines. When an organization includes certain drugs in treatment guidelines, this means that research has shown the drug to be safe and effective.
Guidelines from the American Diabetes Association recommend semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) as a treatment option for people with type 2 diabetes. It’s recommended for those who can benefit from help with weight management.
Guidelines from the American Gastroenterological Association recommend semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) as a treatment option for people with overweight or obesity.
How much Ozempic or Wegovy costs depends on the treatment plan your doctor prescribes, your insurance plan, and your pharmacy. You can visit Optum Perks for price estimates of Ozempic and Wegovy. (Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.)
Both Ozempic and Wegovy are brand-name drugs. They are not currently available in generic form.
Ozempic and Wegovy may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The two drugs share some of the same precautions, but they also have different ones. The following text highlights some of these precautions.
Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer
Semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) has a boxed warning for a possible risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Semaglutide can cause thyroid cancer in rats and mice. It is unknown whether the drug can cause thyroid cancer in humans. Due to the possible risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Ozempic or Wegovy if:
- you or an immediate family member have had medullary thyroid cancer (MTC)
- you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, a rare inherited condition that raises your risk of thyroid cancer
If you take Ozempic or Wegovy, talk with your doctor if you develop possible symptoms of thyroid cancer. These may include a hoarse voice that does not get better, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a lump in your neck.
Precautions
In addition to boxed warnings, Ozempic and Wegovy have other warnings.
If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors are relevant to you, talk with your doctor before using Ozempic or Wegovy for weight loss or management purposes.
| Precaution | Ozempic | Wegovy |
| if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’re breastfeeding or thinking about breastfeeding | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a history of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a history of diabetic retinopathy | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have kidney problems | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have gastroparesis (slowed stomach emptying) | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a planned surgery | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have depression, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health conditions | ✓ | ✓ |
Help is out there
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
It might be possible to switch between Ozempic and Wegovy.
If you’d like to know more about switching between Ozempic and Wegovy, talk with your doctor. They can give you additional details and help determine the best course of action for your personal situation. Even if two drugs treat the same condition or are in the same drug class, your body can still respond differently.
It is important that you do not stop, start, or switch any of your drug treatments without your doctor’s recommendation.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
