Wegovy vs Ozempic: Which Works Better?

If you have questions about Wegovy or Ozempic, you’re not alone. These medications, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have gained significant popularity in the healthcare field in recent years, particularly as rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes continue to rise in the United States - roughly 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes (about 90-95% percent have type 2 diabetes), and the prevalence of obesity in the U.S. was 41.9% between 2017 and March 2020, a significant increase from 30.5% in 1999-2000.

These uptrends have been a key driver in the booming medical weight management solutions industry, and two of the most talked-about weight loss drugs within this category are Wegovy and Ozempic. This blog post aims to clarify the differences between these medications and help you understand if they’re right for you.

Wegovy vs Ozempic: What’s the difference between them?

Wegovy and Ozempic are brand names for the same drug: semaglutide. Despite sharing the same active ingredient, they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for different health conditions.

Wegovy is approved for chronic weight management for those aged 12 and older with obesity or who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes.

Ozempic, on the other hand, is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in those 18 and older. It's also FDA-approved to treat chronic kidney disease in diabetic patients.

Both Ozempic and Wegovy are both injectable medications. They’re typically prescribed as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection (an injection that is delivered just below the skin) using a pre-filled injection pen. Health care providers will usually prescribe a lower dosage at first, which will then be titrated (slowly increased) over several weeks to let your body adjust to the medication’s effects.

Semaglutide and other GLP-1s prevent excess hunger caused by low blood sugar, causing you to feel less hungry (and consume less food as a result). For this reason, health care providers are increasingly prescribing GLP-1 diabetes medications like Ozempic as an off-label way of helping patients achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

How do Wegovy and Ozempic work?

Both medications belong to a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which aid with blood sugar stabilization and appetite reduction. Here’s how:

Blood sugar stabilization: GLP-1 is a naturally-occurring hormone that is released by your body when you eat food; the GLP-1 signals to your pancreas that it’s time to release insulin, a hormone that helps blood sugar (glucose) enter your cells for energy. However, if you have type 2 diabetes, your cells aren’t responding to insulin as they should, which means that blood sugar is not properly absorbed and your blood sugar levels can become too high or too low.

GLP-1 receptor agonist medications resolve this problem by mimicking GLP-1s and telling the pancreas to release more insulin, helping to regulate and stabilize your blood sugar levels. GLP-1s also suppress glucagon, which raises blood sugar levels by promoting the release of glucose from the liver. By reducing glucagon secretion, GLP-1 helps maintain steady blood sugar levels and prevents excessive hunger caused by low blood sugar.

Appetite reduction: The GLP-1 hormone has receptors in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that regulates hunger and satiety. When GLP-1 binds to these receptors, it sends signals to your brain to decrease your appetite and food cravings. This helps you feel less hungry and more satisfied with smaller meals.

The hormone also slows down your gastric motility (how quickly your intestines move food through your body). By slowing down your gastric emptying, the GLP-1 causes you to feel more full. This decreases your appetite and calorie intake and leads to weight loss.

How effective is Wegovy vs Ozempic?

Since Wegovy is indicated for weight loss and Ozempic is indicated for type 2 diabetes, they can't be compared directly.

During Wegovy clinical trials where some patients took Wegovy and others took a placebo, a significant number of people who took Wegovy (between 67.4% and 84.8%) lost 5% or more of their body weight over 68 weeks. In contrast, only 30.2% - 47.8% of people who took the placebo were able to lose 5% of their body weight during that same time period.

Meanwhile, the primary focus of Ozempic's clinical trials was on type 2 diabetes. However, researchers found that Ozempic also had an effect on body weight when administered in higher doses. During the clinical trials, adults with overweight or obesity were given 2.4mg of semaglutide (Ozempic) or a placebo (accompanied by lifestyle changes) for 68 weeks. The patients who took Ozempic in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet and increased exercise lost 14.9% of their body weight. Individuals who took a placebo lost 2.9% of their body weight on average.

However, it’s important to note that Ozempic is only prescribed in .5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg weekly injection dosages (not 2.4mg, as it was during clinical trials). This means that while you can still lose weight with Ozempic, the weight loss will likely not be as drastic as the weight loss experienced by clinical trial participants.

Who is eligible for Wegovy?

Yu may be eligible for Wegovy if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (obesity). You may also qualify for it if you have a BMI of 27 or higher (overweight) with at least one weight-related condition such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. It's important to note that Wegovy is meant to be used alongside lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.

The most common side effects of Wegovy are gastrointestinal issues that include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn and belching.

More serious side effects may occur, but they are uncommon. Some serious adverse effects of Wegovy use include:

Increased heart rate
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Allergic Reactions: Rash, swelling, breathing difficulties
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Gallbladder problems, including gallstones
Increased risk of thyroid cancer

Health care providers may avoid prescribing Wegovy for people with:

A history of pancreatitis
Gallbladder problems
Kidney disease
Thyroid disorders (like medullary thyroid carcinoma)
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
Retinopathy (eye problems)
Any digestive disorders

If you experience any side effects while taking Wegovy, immediately seek medical attention from a licensed health care provider. You should also avoid Wegovy if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding; it is unknown if Wegovy can pass into your breast milk, and it has not been studied in pregnant women.

Who is eligible for Ozempic?

Ozempic is prescribed for adults with type 2 diabetes to improve blood sugar control. It is not for treating type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Patients using Ozempic may also have associated health conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure.

The most common side effects of Ozempic are gastrointestinal issues that include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation.

Less common but more severe adverse events may include:

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Vision changes
Increased risk of thyroid cancer or tumors
Allergic reactions like skin rash, swelling, breathing difficulties

In addition, Ozempic may not be safe for certain individuals with previously diagnosed medical conditions.

Health care providers may avoid prescribing Ozempic for people with:

A history of pancreatitis
Gallbladder problems
Kidney disease
Thyroid disorders (like medullary thyroid carcinoma)
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
Retinopathy (eye problems)
Any digestive disorders

Ozempic may not be prescribed to pregnant women, women who are trying to conceive, or women who are breastfeeding.

How much do Wegovy and Ozempic cost?

If you’re insured, the price of Wegovy and Ozempic will depend on the rates negotiated by your insurer. It’s best to call your insurer directly to understand your coverage and out-of-pocket costs.

Without insurance, Wegovy is priced at $1,349.02 per month. In March of 2025, Novo Nordisk also announced a more affordable option: uninsured patients (or those who have insurance that doesn't cover Wegovy) can access all dose strengths of Wegovy at a reduced cash price of $499 per month via a direct-to-consumer online pharmacy.

Without insurance, Ozempic costs about $998 per month. Novo Nordisk does not currently offer a cash-pay option for Ozempic.

How Sesame can help

Sesame offers an affordable and comprehensive online weight loss program to help you get started on your weight loss journey. Success by Sesame is a month-to-month subscription that includes a video consultation with a weight loss doctor or specialist of your choice, access to prescriptions for weight loss medication if appropriate, unlimited messaging with your provider, ongoing support, and more.

Maintaining a healthy weight can lead to significant health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease, improved mobility, better sleep, and enhanced overall well-being. Get started on your weight loss journey today. Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your healthcare provider.