Which Is Better for Weight Loss? Ozempic or Wegovy?
Both Wegovy and Ozempic are drugs that are classified as GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists), and both include semaglutide as their primary active component. Both of these substances have recently garnered a lot of recognition as potential weight loss aids.
Injections of semaglutide were given their initial green light as a treatment for type 2 diabetes years ago under the brand Ozempic. The Food and Drug Administration granted approval for the weight loss medication to be marketed under the brand Wegovy in the year 2021. Both of them are frequently prescribed by doctors for weight loss, but we’ve identified some significant distinctions between the two.
Wegovy vs. Ozempic For Weight Loss
Both Wegovy and Ozempic are examples of injectable prescription medications sold under their respective brand names. Both of them have semaglutide as their primary active component, as was previously mentioned. Both are examples of a type of medication that is collectively referred to as GLP-1 agonists, which stands for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. Other medications such as Rybelsus, Byetta, Bydureon, Saxenda, Trulicity, and Victoza are included in this category of pharmaceuticals (FDA, 2022; FDA-b, 2021).
Here we continue our comparison of Wegovy and Ozempic by looking at a few of the significant differences between the two. The following is a rundown of the essential information regarding Wegovy:
- The active component is called semaglutide.
- Form: a one-time use, disposable injector pen with a needle already attached to it
- The injection will be given subcutaneously (under the skin), either in the stomach or the thigh.
- Schedule of administration: one time each week
- Starting dose: 0.25 milligrams per 0.5 milliliters (mg/mL)
- Maximum maintenance dosage: 2.4 mg weekly
And important information regarding Ozempic that you should be aware of:
- The active component is called semaglutide.
- Form: multiple-use injector pen
- The injection will be given subcutaneously (under the skin), either in the stomach or the thigh.
- Schedule of administration: one time each week
- Starting dose: 0.25 milligrams per 0.5 milliliters (mg/mL)
- The standard maintenance dosage is 1 milligram once per week
- Maximum dosage: 2 mg weekly
It cannot be denied that these two injectable prescription medications are quite comparable to one another. But how do they differ from one another? Both Wegovy and Ozempic have received approval for a variety of populations and uses.
Semaglutide 2.4 mg, which is the highest dose of Wegovy, resulted in more substantial weight loss than semaglutide 1 mg, which is the average maintenance dose of Ozempic. This finding was found in a clinical investigation that examined the effects of weekly use of semaglutide 1 mg and 2.4 mg.
Individuals in the clinical trial who attained a weekly dose of 2.4 mg of semaglutide lost an average of more than 10% of their body weight over the course of the 68-week treatment period, while individuals who reached a weekly dose of 1 mg lost almost an average of 7% of their body weight.
Wegovy and Ozempic are both potential possibilities for an efficient treatment plan in the fight against obesity. In certain individuals, achieving a healthy weight and maintaining it can improve energy levels and lower the chance of developing major health problems. Your healthcare professional will be able to assist you in determining which of these medications would be most appropriate for you to take.
When comparing Ozempic with Wegovy, which one is more powerful?
Dosing is one of the most significant areas in which Ozempic and Wegovy diverge from one another. Wegovy, on the other hand, is offered in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg pens, whilst Ozempic is only offered in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1.0 mg pens. This enables Wegovy to be administered at a dose that is marginally higher than that of Ozempic; however, the increase in dosage must be carried out gradually over a period of five months.
It is vital to keep in mind, when picking between Wegovy and Ozempic, that side effects may be more likely with Wegovy (depending on your prescription dosage) due to the fact that Wegovy is available in a greater dose than Ozempic. This greater dosage may cause more adverse effects for certain individuals. In clinical studies, participants who received a dose of 2.4 mg of Wegovy once a week reported higher adverse effects. This was the case regardless of whether the subjects took 1 mg of Wegovy once a week or 2.4 mg of Wegovy once a week. Talk to your doctor about the medications that could be appropriate for you to take if you are concerned about the possibility of experiencing unwanted effects from taking any of them.
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