As we come into the summer, people are starting to think about their weight and achieving that “beach-ready” body. We often look for a quick fix and medication for weight loss is very tempting. In particular, there is a lot of buzz about Ozempic and Wegovy as the new innovative weight loss medications. 

But what exactly are they? Aren’t they the same thing? Both use the active ingredient semaglutide – however, they have different indications and different dose recommendations. 

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a brand name for the medication semaglutide produced by Novo Nordisk. It is licensed for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. It does not have a licence for use as a weight loss drug. 

It can still be used for this purpose but would be prescribed as off-label. This means that the prescriber wishes to use a medicine for a reason other than what is stated on its licence or that it will be used in a different way or at a higher dose. It works by reducing appetite and makes you feel fuller for longer. 

Ozempic acts on the Glucagon-like-protein-1 (GLP-1) receptor, activating it. This causes the body to secrete more insulin, release less glucagon and slows the transit of food through your gut. This helps regulate blood glucose, and studies show it may be good for your cardiovascular health.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is also a brand name for semaglutide and is produced by Novo Nordisk. It is a prescription medication for weight loss. Wegovy works in the same way as Ozempic but comes as a higher dose of semaglutide. 

It is used for its effects on appetite and feelings of fullness. It has been proven to be effective in treating obesity and the conditions associated with it.

Wegovy has been approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) as a treatment for chronic weight management. It is recommended for use alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity if your body mass index (BMI) is greater than 35kg/m² and you have one condition related to your weight such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea, and reflux.  It also recommends Wegovy for those who have a BMI of 30.0 – 34.9kg/m² and are referred to a specialist weight management service. 

It should be prescribed for a maximum of 2 years and be used alongside other weight loss measures like a healthy balanced diet and regular physical exercise. You should aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week and this should involve a combination of aerobic exercise and strength training.

Ozempic vs. Wegovy

The main difference between these medicines is their licence for use. Ozempic is used to treat type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy is used as a treatment for chronic weight management. 

Ozempic is recommended for use in conjunction with other antidiabetic medications if blood sugar levels cannot be controlled. It comes as a prefilled injection pen, given as a weekly injection just under the skin. Doses start at 0.25mg for 4 weeks, then 0.5mg for 4 weeks and finally increase to 1mg per week if necessary. 

Wegovy is licensed for weight loss and is also given as a weekly injection using a prefilled injection pen. Doses are higher than those of Ozempic. It starts at 0.25mg once a week for 4 weeks, followed by 0.5mg once per week for 4 weeks. 

This will increase to 1mg each week for 4 weeks. You will then move on to a dose of 1.7mg per week. It is important to liaise with a healthcare professional as you may stay on this as a maintenance dose or you may increase further to a regular dose of 2.4mg per week. 

	Ozempic	Wegovy
Generic name	semaglutide	semaglutide
Licensed use	Type 2 diabetes	Weight management
Mechanism of action	GLP-1 receptor agonist	GLP-1 receptor agonist
Administration	Weekly injection	Weekly injection
Preparation	Prefilled Ozempic pens	Prefilled Wegovy pens
Maintenance dose	0.5 – 1mg per week	1.7 – 2.4mg per week

How to Access Wegovy in the UK

Wegovy is a prescription medicine that should be treated and respected like any other medication. NICE recommends using it alongside a weight management programme and contact from healthcare professionals. It can be issued by your GP or from a specialist weight management clinic. 

Contact with your doctor is important if you have any other medical conditions or are taking any other medicines. This includes herbal medicines, over-the-counter medication, and any illicit drugs.

There are countless websites where you can buy Wegovy online, but how do you know what you’re getting? As with any online purchase, you want to make sure that you will receive the product and that it is what it’s supposed to be. Check that the site is secure and that your payments are safe. For weight loss injections, you will need a prescription from a licensed professional; a doctor, a nurse prescriber, a pharmacist, or another healthcare professional with a current licence to prescribe in the UK. 

Use a reputable online pharmacy and answer all of their questions truthfully. Check that the pharmacy and pharmacist are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC); doctors are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), and nurses with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). 

Side Effects and Precautions

As with any medicine, semaglutide has side effects. Not everyone will experience these and some are more common than others. Side effects may disappear as your body adjusts to a new drug or an increase in dose. It is important to discuss any worrying or lingering side effects that you are experiencing with a healthcare professional.

Common Wegovy Side Effects

These include but are not limited to:

 

• • Decrease in appetite

• • Burping

• • Gallstones

• • Constipation

• • Diarrhoea

• • Stomach upset

• • Low blood sugar

• • Nausea

• • Vomiting

• • Injection site reactions

Less Common Side Effects

 

• • Pancreatitis

• • Altered taste

Specific Side Effects with Injection

 

• • Alopecia

• • Diabetic retinopathy

• • Dizziness

• • Headache

Rare Side Effects

 

• • Angioedema

This is swelling of the lips and airways from an allergic reaction. If you feel that your breathing is restricted seek medical help immediately. 

It is important to discuss any side effects with your doctor. It may be that alterations can be made to reduce the side effects that you experience. 

Precautions

 

• • Do not use if you are pregnant – animal studies have shown toxicity

• • Do not use if you are breastfeeding – animal studies have shown presence in milk

• • Contraception – it is advised that contraception be used while using semaglutide and for 2 months after stopping

There is limited information regarding the use of semaglutide in people with other medical conditions, such as liver disease or kidney disease. Caution is advised, discuss any concerns with your doctor. 

Regular check-ups with a healthcare professional or team are important to check for side effects and also to monitor your progress. Many people experience a weight-loss plateau, where their weight remains steady after dropping initially. You may need to alter your diet or exercise regime to counteract this and your team can help to advise you on this.

Summary

Ozempic and Wegovy are brand names of the same medicine, semaglutide. However, there are differences in their licensing and dosage. Ozempic is used to treat type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is used for chronic weight management. There are guidelines and recommendations on the use of both of these drugs. 

Ozempic is prescribed at a lower dose than Wegovy. If you are considering using Wegovy for weight loss you should seek advice from your doctor. It works more effectively when combined with a healthy balanced diet and regular exercise. 

If you are planning to buy Wegovy, UK online pharmacies should have their registration with a professional regulatory body available to check. However, you cannot buy Ozempic; UK pharmacists will only prescribe it for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In other countries, some private doctors may prescribe Ozempic for weight loss; however, Wegovy has been shown to work better for this due to higher dosages. If at any stage you have any concerns, contact your doctor for advice as soon as possible.