Are Wegovy and Ozempic the same?

They’re not the same product: both contain semaglutide, but Wegovy is the weight-management brand (higher dose) and Ozempic is the type-2-diabetes brand (lower dose ranges). Indications, dosing schedules, and pens differ, so switching should be guided by a prescriber.

Same ingredient, different goals

It’s true that both Wegovy and Ozempic are based on semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps regulate appetite, digestion, and blood sugar. But they were developed for different reasons. Ozempic was first licensed for type 2 diabetes, where its main role is to lower blood sugar and reduce cardiovascular risk. Wegovy, on the other hand, was trialled at higher doses specifically for weight management, leading to its approval by NICE for use in people with a high BMI and related health conditions.

Differences in dose and delivery

The biggest distinction is in dose strength. Ozempic is usually prescribed at doses up to 1 mg weekly, although some countries use 2 mg for diabetes. Wegovy is taken at a higher maintenance dose of 2.4 mg weekly, which research shows is required for clinically meaningful weight loss. They also come in different pre-filled pens. This means they are not interchangeable — you can’t simply switch from one brand to the other without medical oversight.

Evidence from trials

The clinical results reflect these differences. In the STEP-1 trial, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, participants on Wegovy lost around 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks when combined with lifestyle support. By contrast, studies of Ozempic in diabetes care, such as SUSTAIN-6, reported modest weight reductions but focused mainly on blood sugar control and heart health. Both showed clear benefits, but for different clinical purposes.

How the NHS uses them

NHS guidance separates the two products. Ozempic is offered to people with type 2 diabetes where other treatments aren’t sufficient. Wegovy is offered within specialist weight management services for adults with a BMI above 35 and weight-related conditions, or in some cases above 30. This ensures that the right medicine is matched to the right health need, and prevents confusion in prescribing.

Why the distinction matters

In recent years, media coverage has sometimes blurred the difference between the two brands, especially during shortages. But from a medical perspective, the difference is crucial. Doses, pen designs, and licensed indications are not the same, so treating them as identical risks inappropriate use. Doctors emphasise that anyone considering a change should only do so under professional supervision.

Side effects and tolerability

Because both medicines are semaglutide, they share a similar side-effect profile — nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting are the most common. However, the higher dose in Wegovy can increase the chance of these symptoms during dose escalation. Prescribers use gradual increases to help patients adjust. Even here, the way doses are scheduled differs between the two brands.

What this means in practice

Wegovy and Ozempic may look similar at first glance, but they are not the same medicine in practice. Ozempic remains a diabetes treatment, while Wegovy is the higher-dose product licensed for weight management. Both draw on the same science, but their approved uses, devices, and dose strengths are different. Understanding this distinction helps patients and clinicians choose the right medicine for the right reason.