Is Wegovy The Same As Ozempic

Wegovy and Ozempic are self-injectable injections that contain the active ingredient semaglutide. However, they differ in the conditions they have been approved to treat and the dosages available.

Here, we’ll explore what Wegovy and Ozempic are, and the key similarities and differences, so you can get a better understanding of which is the right treatment option for you.

What Are Wegovy and Ozempic?

Wegovy and Ozempic are both self-injectable medications that contain the active ingredient semaglutide. They are different brand names of the same medication but they are licensed for different uses in the UK.

Wegovy is licensed for weight loss while Ozempic is available for treating type 2 diabetes. However, some private weight loss clinics have prescribed Ozempic off-label for weight loss in the past, contributing to medication shortages.

What Is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide works by mimicking the actions of a specific digestive hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).

GLP-1, also known as an incretin mimetic, is released after you eat a meal, signalling to your brain that you feel full and stopping you from overeating. It also increases insulin production from your pancreas which encourages your cells to take up glucose from your bloodstream, effectively lowering your blood sugar levels.

So, semaglutide works by attaching to the GLP-1 receptors in your brain, so you feel less hungry, are less likely to overeat, and your cells will better respond to insulin, bringing your blood glucose levels under control. Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists.

How Are Wegovy and Ozempic Similar?

The biggest similarity is the active ingredient. Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide which means they share several similarities.

Benefits

Because Ozempic and Wegovy share the same active ingredient, they have similar benefits, including:

• Weight loss: at the highest weekly maintenance dose of 2.4mg, semaglutide can help you lose 15% of your starting body weight in 68 weeks.
• Type 2 diabetes: a 1 mg weekly dose of semaglutide reduced fasting blood glucose levels by 22%. Semaglutide lowers blood sugar levels after the first dose.
• Heart disease: semaglutide can reduce the risk of heart disease and major adverse cardiovascular events in overweight and obese people.

What Are The Differences Between Wegovy and Ozempic?

Both Wegovy and Ozempic are brand names for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that can lower blood sugar and support weight loss. However, there are some distinct differences between Wegovy and Ozempic that you should be aware of.

1. Licensed use

In the UK, Ozempic is prescribed for controlling blood sugar in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is licensed for weight loss.

In the past, Ozempic had been prescribed ‘off label’ by some clinicians for weight loss, but this led to a medication shortage for people who needed weight loss to manage type 2 diabetes. At Prescription Doctor, we do not prescribe Ozempic ‘off label’ for weight loss, but we can prescribe Wegovy for people who meet the eligibility criteria.

2. Dosage

One of the major differences between Ozempic and Wegovy is the dosage they are available in. Wegovy is approved in higher doses for weight loss which may not be appropriate for blood sugar control. The table below shows the dosage differences between Wegovy and Ozempic:

3. Eligibility criteria

Ozempic: For type 2 diabetes, Ozempic can be prescribed if lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) are not enough to manage blood sugar levels. Ozempic can be prescribed on its own if you cannot take metformin or other diabetes medications.

Wegovy: To get a prescription for Wegovy, you will need a body mass index (BMI) of:

• at least 30 or
• 27 to 30 and a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure or prediabetes.

Is Ozempic Available for Weight Loss in the UK?

No, Ozempic is not licensed for weight loss in the UK, however, some private clinics have prescribed it ‘off label’ in the past. It is available for type 2 diabetes. If you are looking for a semaglutide-containing weight-loss medication, Wegovy is a suitable alternative.

What Other Weight Loss Treatments Are There?

Wegovy is an alternative weight loss medication to Ozempic, which is licensed for type 2 diabetes in the UK, but Wegovy isn’t the only weight loss option available.

There are other weight loss injections and weight loss pills available. At Prescription Doctor, we offer:

• Weight loss injections:
  • Mounjaro: an alternative to Wegovy that contains the active ingredient, tirzepatide. It is self-injected once a week and can help you lose up to 22.5% of your body weight at the highest dose over 72 weeks.
  • Liraglutide: known as Saxenda, liraglutide is a generic daily weight loss injection.
• Weight loss pills:
  • Orlistat: orlistat is a weight loss pill that is taken up to 3 times a day. It’s also available as the branded version of Xenical. It works by stopping your body from absorbing up to 33% of the fat you eat and passing it out as waste.
  • MySimba: a weight loss pill that contains naltrexone and bupropion that act on the parts of the brain that control your appetite.
  • Alli: an over-the-counter version of Orlistat that can be bought without a prescription.

Summary

Ozempic and Wegovy are brand names for the same medication, semaglutide, except Ozempic is available for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy is licensed for weight loss in the UK.

Authored By

Leanne Edermaniger

Medical Content Writer

Leanne is a science and health content writer focusing on human health and biology while utilising her solid academic background.

Published on: 29/01/2025

Reviewed By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist

Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Reviewed on: 05/06/2025