Since it was licensed for weight loss, Wegovy (semaglutide) has been compared to many similar medications, especially other GLP-1 medications.
Many weight loss medications are on the market, so let’s examine Mounjaro, Ozempic and Saxenda and compare them to Wegovy.
Wegovy vs Mounjaro
What are the similarities between Wegovy and Mounjaro?
Administration methods
Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are administered once weekly by injection. The injections are self-administered in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. They both come in a pre-filled pen, and you will inject yourself on the same day each week.
However, when it comes to Mounjaro, not only is it recommended that you inject yourself on the same day, but also at the same time. Sticking to the same time will help you remember to inject.
Titration
When taking Wegovy or Mounjaro, you will follow a titration path. The same pattern is followed for both injections. Gradually increasing your dose is essential as it allows your body time to become used to the injection, minimising the risk of side effects.
Unless your prescriber decides otherwise, you will remain on your current dose of Wegovy or Mounjaro for four weeks. If they think you’re ready to increase your dose after four weeks, you will be prescribed the next dose.
When deciding whether to increase your dose, your prescriber will consider your current weight loss, whether you’re experiencing any Wegovy or Mounjaro side effects, and your age and medical history.
GLP-1 receptor agonists
The two weight loss medications are both GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medications work by mimicking the hormone glucogen-like peptide 1 in the body. They cause the body to make more insulin, lowering blood sugar levels.
They also slow digestion, meaning your body releases less glucose from food. Alongside slowing down digestion, they also increase how full you feel after eating, working as an appetite suppressant..
What are the differences between Wegovy and Mounjaro?
The active ingredients
The first difference between Wegovy and Mounjaro is the active ingredient. The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, whereas the active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide.
Semaglutide is typically found in medications designed to improve glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes. Tirzepatide, also used in adults with type 2 diabetes, improves blood sugar control.
Wegovy doses
Wegovy comes in five different strengths, whereas Mounjaro has six different strengths. However, your healthcare provider will always start you on the lowest dose with both medications.
Wegovy doses:
- 0.25mg
- 0.5mg
- 1mg
- 1.7mg
- 2.4mg
Mounjaro doses:
- 2.5mg
- 5mg
- 7.5mg
- 10mg
- 12.5mg
- 15mg
GIP receptor agonist
Although Wegovy and Mounjaro are both GLP-1 receptor agonists, unlike Wegovy, Mounjaro is also a dual agonist. It’s both a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist.
GIP receptor agonists affect your GIP hormones, but like GLP-1’s, they also affect your digestive system. They affect your digestive system in different ways than GLP-1s. However, their differences complement one another.
Wegovy vs Ozempic
What are the similarities between Wegovy and Ozempic?
Active ingredient
The first similarity between Wegovy and Ozempic is the active ingredient, semaglutide. People usually get confused between the two medications because they both have the same active ingredient.
Novo Nordisk, which specialises in weight loss and diabetes treatments, produces both Wegovy and Ozempic.
Side effects
The side effects are the same whether you’re using Wegovy or Ozempic. However, each person’s side effects are unique.
These medications’ most common side effects usually affect the digestive system, with side effects such as diarrhoea, constipation, heartburn, and indigestion. Patients will find that the side effects are typically at their worst when they first start the injections, as their bodies are still getting used to the medication.
If you experience side effects on Wegovy or Ozempic, you’ll be glad to know that some of these can be managed temporarily with over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
The benefits
There are several benefits associated with semaglutide. When it comes to weight loss benefits, studies have shown that patients who took 2.4mg of semaglutide lost, on average, 14.9%-17.4% of their total body weight. [1]
Clinical trials have also shown that semaglutide has the potential to reduce heart disease in obese and overweight adults. [2] People who take semaglutide are less likely to have a heart attack, stroke or another life-threatening heart event.
Scientists also believe semaglutide, which stimulates insulin production and reduces blood sugar levels, could benefit the brain. By improving insulin sensitivity and potentially interacting with receptors involved in learning and brain cell protection, semaglutide could slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. [3]
Semaglutide may also have other health benefits. Research on the medication is constantly being conducted, so we hope to see new developments in the future.
What are the differences between Wegovy and Ozempic?
What they are used for
In the UK, Wegovy became available in September 2023 to treat obesity. The medication is only available on prescription. Previously, you could only get Wegovy through a private prescriber. However, it’s now available on the NHS.
Patients must be referred to a specialist weight management programme by their GP to be eligible to access Wegovy on the NHS.
On the other hand, Ozempic is used to manage blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. You will only be able to get Ozempic if you have diabetes.
Although they contain the same active ingredient, Wegovy should not be used for diabetes, and Ozempic should not be used for weight loss. This is because the dosage schedule and strengths differ depending on what you’re treating.
The strengths
Wegovy and Ozempic are available in different strengths to reflect the different needs of their patients. The doses of Wegovy are slightly higher than those of Ozempic.
As mentioned earlier, Wegovy is available in 5 different strengths. However, Ozempic is only available in 3 different strengths, which are:
- 0.5mg
- 1mg
- 2mg
Eligibility
The last difference between Wegovy and Ozempic is who would be a suitable patient for each one.
Patients wanting to take Wegovy must meet strict eligibility criteria. Wegovy is only prescribed to adults with a BMI of 30 or above. However, in some cases, it might be prescribed to patients with a BMI of 27 or above if they also have a weight-related health condition such as prediabetes or high blood pressure.
The restrictions on Wegovy ensure that it’s only taken by patients who need help with weight management.
Alternatively, Ozempic has no weight restrictions. However, as mentioned earlier, it’s only available to treat type 2 diabetes. It’s recommended that Ozempic be prescribed to diabetics when three medications have not been effective in managing diabetes or they have been unable to take alternative medicines due to side effects or other health conditions.
Weogovy vs Saxenda
What are the similarities between Wegovy and Saxenda?
NHS availability
Both Wegovy and Saxenda are available on the NHS to treat obesity. However, with restrictions and eligibility criteria to meet, it can be challenging to be prescribed one of these treatments on the NHS. Patients must try other weight loss methods before being prescribed Wegovy or Saxenda on the NHS.
If you get one of these medications on the NHS, you will only have to pay the NHS prescription fee, or if you’re eligible for free prescriptions, you won’t have to pay.
What they are used for
Wegovy and Saxenda are both licenced for weight loss. Saxenda was the first of the two to be made available as a treatment for obesity. It was launched in the UK in January 2017, whereas Wegovy was launched over six years later.
Most pharmacies have long-term out-of-stock status for Saxenda, which might make it challenging to obtain it. However, it’s available in select pharmacies.
GLP-1 receptor agonists
Saxenda joins Wegovy and Mounjaro as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, meaning they have similar side effects. However, research has shown that the active ingredient in Wegovy (semaglutide) is better tolerated than Saxenda’s (liraglutide).
Although GLP-1s are highly effective in weight management, they must be used alongside a healthy diet and exercise to achieve maximum results.
What are the differences between Wegovy and Saxenda?
The active ingredient
As you probably know by now, Wegovy’s active ingredient is semaglutide, but Saxenda has a different active ingredient.
The active ingredient in Saxenda is liraglutide. Liraglutide is sold under the brand names Saxenda and Victoza. However, Victoza is only used to treat type 2 diabetes and can’t be used as a weight loss treatment.
Although semaglutide and liraglutide work similarly, semaglutide lasts longer in the body, so it’s only injected once a week.
How often you’ll need to inject
Earlier, we discussed Wegovy being a once-weekly injection, but this isn’t the same for Saxenda. When it comes to Saxenda, you will inject yourself once a day with the medication.
With Saxenda, you’ll inject yourself with the same dose for seven days before moving on to the next dose. You will continue to increase your dose of Saxenda by 0.6mg for the next five weeks until you reach the maximum dose of 3mg.
Novo Nordisk, which also manufactures Saxenda, recommended that you return to your prescriber after taking the medication for four months for a progress review and to renew the prescription. [4]
Effectiveness
It’s important to be aware that, as with most medications, their effectiveness varies from person to person. Certain people may find that they lose more weight on Wegovy, whereas others see better results with Saxenda.
In a study comparing weight loss results between the two medications, people who took Wegovy lost more weight than those who took Saxenda. Both of these medications were used alongside a healthy diet and active lifestyle. The results showed that the average weight loss on Wegovy was 15.85%, whereas the average weight loss on Saxenda was 6.4%. [5]
Which weight loss medication is right for me?
If you’re just starting your weight loss journey and trying to decide which weight loss medication is right for you, hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the types of treatment that are available.
To help you decide which weight loss medication is right for you, speak to your healthcare provider. They can point you in the right direction and get you started. Remember, your weight loss journey is personal. What might work for someone else might not be right for you.
myBMI sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10092086
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2307563
- https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/three-promising-drugs-for-treating-alzheimers-disease-bring-fresh-hope
- https://www.saxenda.com/support-and-resources/faqs.html
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35015037/
