The internet today is spiraling with videos and tips on how to lose weight, but everyone seems to be losing their minds over two particular medicines: Ozempic and Wegovy. Thanks to their impressive performance in clinical trials, Ozempic and Wegovy have made a name for themselves throughout the media. But what are they really responsible for? And why do they both contain Semaglutide, but are prescribed for different things?

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a medicine licensed to treat adults with type 2 diabetes. It is prescribed in the form of an injection to be taken once a week. Semaglutide binds itself to the GLP-1 receptors within the body. This causes the pancreas to stimulate insulin secretion and to suppress glucagon secretion. A knock off effect of this is that within the stomach, it slows down the process of gastric emptying, making those that use semaglutide-based products like Ozempic feel fuller for longer. Though only registered within the UK for treating diabetes, this has also been prescribed off-license to aid individuals with their weight loss journeys. With a well balanced diet and regular exercise, patients have seen significant reductions in their weight over time when using Ozempic. Ozempic is available in 0.25mg, 0.5mg and 1mg doses.

What are the benefits of Ozempic?

Ozempic is currently available to buy, meaning that patients looking for a weight loss aid at the moment can turn to Ozempic if they fit certain requirements. Ozempic is also only a weekly injection, unlike other licensed weight loss treatments like Saxenda which require daily injections.

What are the side effects of Ozempic?

The most common side effects of Ozempic can include: vomiting, feelings of nauseousness, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and constipation. More serious side effects can be found on the Ozempic website curated by Novo-Nordisk.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a newly registered injectable pen prescribed for weight loss and weight management. As it is also comprised of semaglutide, it works in exactly the same fashion. It helps to reduce appetite in patients, making them feel fuller for longer and ultimately lead to smaller portion sizes and an increased reduction of weight. It became FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved in late 2021 and is currently being registered and set to release in the UK in the near future as an official weight loss injection. It is going to be used to help treat those with a BMI (Body Mass Index) over 30 or over 27 for those with weight-related health issues. Wegovy is said to be available in 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1.7mg and 2.4mg pens.

What are the benefits of Wegovy?

Though Ozempic and Wegovy are both made up of Semaglutide, Wegovy comes in slightly higher doses than Ozempic, such as the 1.7mg and 2.4mg. As well as this, because Wegovy has actually been licensed and approved by the FDA, it will make it far more accessible than Ozempic for weight loss reasons when it finally enters the market.

What are the side effects of WeGovy?

Some of the side effects of WeGovy include feeling sick, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain and constipation. More serious side effects can be found on the WeGovy website curated by Novo-Nordisk.

What is the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?

A few differences to note between Wegovy and Ozempic is the doses available for each pen. Ozempic injections stop at 1mg, but Wegovy injections are available in doses up to 2.4mg. As well as this, though Ozempic has been FDA approved, it has only been approved for diabetic patients, whereas Wegovy is certified for weight loss. Otherwise, Ozempic and Wegovy are the same drug. Both of these medicines are weekly injectable pens that both contain preparations of the GLP-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide.

Though Wegovy isn’t currently in supply, Pharmacy Planet has managed to obtain stock for Ozempic in the 0.25mg, 0.5mg and 1mg injectable pens. You can find Ozempic for weight loss online from us.