Are you looking to start your weight loss journey, or do you think one treatment is more effective?
We’ll disassemble the facts and tell you everything you need to help you decide which weight loss treatment is best for you. We’ll also investigate whether Wegovy is more effective than Ozempic.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable medication that’s approved in the UK as a treatment for obesity. It’s only available on prescription from specialist weight management services or private clinics like myBMI.
To be eligible for Wegovy, patients must have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and above or a BMI of 27 and above, alongside a weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol.
Wegovy comes as a pre-filled injectable pen, which you’ll inject into your upper arms, stomach or thighs once a week.
How does Wegovy work?
Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide. It mimics a gut hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) that exists in the body and interacts with the parts of the brain that tell you when you feel full. It’s made to suppress your appetite, meaning you eat less food and lose weight. Less food typically means fewer calories!
It also slows down how quickly food is digested, which means that the food remains in your stomach for longer, helping to keep you feeling full.
However, you must use Wegovy alongside a healthy diet and exercise for the best results.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, it isn’t suitable for people with type 1 diabetes.
Unlike Wegovy, Ozempic doesn’t have weight restrictions. It’s usually recommended for diabetics when three medications have been unsuccessful at controlling type 2 diabetes or if other alternatives are unsuitable.
Ozempic may also reduce the risk of major cardiovascular issues such as a stroke or a heart attack.[1]
Again, like Wegovy, Ozempic is a once-weekly, pre-filled injection administered in the same areas as Wegovy.
How does Ozempic work?
When used alongside a healthy diet and active lifestyle, Ozempic can help regulate the blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. The medication is designed to respond when your blood sugar levels rise.
Ozempic works in several ways to lower your blood sugar. It stimulates your pancreas to release more insulin after you’ve eaten, stops your liver from releasing stored sugars and slows down how quickly food moves through your body.
Studies have shown that Ozempic can lower blood sugar levels, with adults who took 1mg of the medication reducing their blood sugar levels by 1.6%. The research also concluded that 70% of patients on 1mg of Ozempic could get their blood sugar levels under 7% and maintain it. [1]
What is the active ingredient in Wegovy & Ozempic?
As mentioned before, the active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, but it’s also the same for Ozempic. Although both medications have the same active ingredient, they’re prescribed for different reasons. That being said, if you’re prescribed Ozempic for type 2 diabetes, then you might also notice some weight loss.
The results you will see regarding weight loss are different. The main reason is that Wegovy is available in higher doses than Ozempic.
How much weight will I lose with Wegovy?
As soon as Wegovy is injected, it starts to work. However, it can take a couple of weeks to notice results.
Clinical trials have shown that, on average, patients taking between 1.7mg and 2.4mg of Wegovy lost between 5% and 15% of their body weight after taking the treatment for 68 weeks. [2]
Another study concluded that after three months of use of Wegovy, patients had lost 5.9% of their total body weight, and after six months, they’d lost 10.9%. [3]
How much weight will I lose with Ozempic?
Again, Ozempic also starts to work as soon as you inject it. However, the results vary.
Research suggests that higher doses of Ozempic contribute to more weight loss. After using the medication for 30 weeks, patients on 0.5mg of Ozempic lost on average 3.7kg, and those on 1mg of Ozempic lost approximately 4.5kg. [4]
Are there any other factors to consider regarding the time frame of results?
Absolutely! For several reasons, you might not see weight loss results as quickly as expected. These reasons might include:
- The strength of the medication you’re taking
- Having type 2 diabetes
- The weight you were when you started your treatment
- If you’re undergoing any other treatment
- Your diet
- How much you exercise
So, what is the difference between Wegovy and Ozempic?
The significant difference between Wegovy and Ozempic is what they are used to treat. As we mentioned earlier, these medications are both prescribed for different purposes. Wegovy is taken as a weight loss treatment, whereas Ozempic is used to treat type 2 diabetes.
We also touched upon the dosage differences. Wegovy has five strengths:
- 0.25mg
- 0.5mg
- 1mg
- 1.7mg
- 2.4mg
Meanwhile, Ozempic has three strengths;
- 0.5mg
- 1mg
- 2mg
When you’re starting your weight loss journey, it’s important to remember that it’s unique to you. What works for somebody else might not work for you, and that’s okay.
If you have any questions about weight loss treatment plans, contact a healthcare professional or speak to our team at myBMI, who can help you decide what treatment is right for you.
myBMI sources
- https://www.ozempic.com/why-ozempic/what-is-ozempic.html
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/215256s011lbl.pdf
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2796491
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(17)30013-X/abstract
