Same drug, different jobs: both are semaglutide, a once-weekly injection, but Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for chronic weight management.
Their dosing schedules differ, with Wegovy running to a higher maintenance dose. Because the active ingredient is identical, side effects overlap heavily. They are prescribed for different goals and are not interchangeable.
What to do
Common questions
What is the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?
Both are the same drug - semaglutide - made by the same company, given as a once-weekly injection. The difference is the approved job and the dosing. Ozempic is FDA-approved to control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and exercise, and it carries approvals around reducing cardiovascular risk in that population. Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in people with obesity or who are overweight with weight-related medical problems, and its dosing schedule runs to a higher maintenance level than the typical Ozempic schedule. Because the active ingredient is identical, side effects overlap heavily - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and the rest of the GLP-1 list. They are prescribed for different goals and are not interchangeable prescriptions; insurance plans treat them very differently too. Pymander, a free AI doctor available 24/7 by text, can walk through which version fits a given situation and what to ask your prescriber.