Indications: Weight Loss vs. Diabetes Management

One of the fundamental differences between Wegovy and Ozempic is their primary indication.

• Wegovy is approved specifically for chronic weight management in adults and adolescents (12+ years) who are obese or overweight with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes).
  
  
• Ozempic, on the other hand, is primarily prescribed to adults with type 2 diabetes to manage blood sugar levels and reduce cardiovascular risks. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss, but some healthcare providers prescribe it off-label for this purpose.
  
  

For more information on the medications and pricing, visit our Medications and Pricing page.

Dosing Regimens: Higher Doses for Weight Management

The dosing schedules of these medications significantly impact their weight loss efficacy.

• Wegovy: Starts at 0.25 mg weekly for four weeks, gradually increasing every four weeks to a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg weekly. This gradual titration helps minimize gastrointestinal side effects.
  
  
• Ozempic: Also starts at 0.25 mg weekly for four weeks but increases to a maximum dose of 1.0 mg weekly for diabetes management. A higher dose of 2.0 mg is available but is mainly for glycemic control.
  
  

The higher dosage of Wegovy is specifically designed to maximize weight loss, while Ozempic’s lower dose limits its efficacy in this area.

Weight Loss Outcomes: Wegovy Outperforms

Clinical studies indicate that Wegovy is more effective for weight management due to its higher dosing.

• Wegovy users can expect to lose around 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. In the STEP trials, participants lost an average of 15.9 kg (35 lbs).
  
  
• Ozempic users typically see a 6–7% reduction in body weight, translating to approximately 14 lbs when using the maximum dose.

Mechanism of Action: GLP-1 Agonist

Both drugs work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which reduces appetite and slows gastric emptying, leading to decreased food intake. However, the higher dose of Wegovy means it is more potent for weight loss.

Side Effects: Mostly Gastrointestinal

Both medications can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. These effects are more pronounced during dose escalation but usually diminish over time.

To learn more about managing these side effects and when to consider switching, visit our Switch Supplier page.