Weight loss medications have been taking the world by storm thanks to their efficacy and remarkable results. Semaglutide, originally designed to treat type II diabetes, has gained widespread attention for its impressive weight loss benefits.
While Ozempic has become almost synonymous with semaglutide, there are actually three semaglutide brands available: Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. All three are manufactured by Novo Nordisk, a leading pharmaceutical company.
Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus may share the same active ingredient, but their specific applications and benefits can vary.
Active Ingredient: Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist only. It mimics the hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar and appetite.
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Route | FDA-Approved Use | FDA Approval Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozempic | Novo Nordisk | Injectable (weekly) | Type 2 diabetes; Cardiovascular risk reduction | 2017 |
| Wegovy | Novo Nordisk | Injectable (weekly) | Chronic weight management | 2021 |
| Rybelsus | Novo Nordisk | Oral (daily tablet) | Type 2 diabetes | 2019 |
Different Semaglutide Medications
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which mimics the naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone in the body. Thanks to its mechanism of action, semaglutide medication keeps you fuller longer and helps to regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin release and inhibiting the release of glucagon.
Semaglutide comes in oral tablets (Rybelsus) and as a subcutaneous injection (Ozempic, Wegovy).
Ozempic
Ozempic is easily the most well-known semaglutide medication. This semaglutide drug is injected once weekly.
Ozempic is FDA-approved for diabetes management.
The initial dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg. The dose is then increased every four weeks until you reach the maximum dosage of 2.0 mg.
Wegovy
Like Ozempic, Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable semaglutide medication. Unlike Ozempic, Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss.
Ozempic and Wegovy are essentially the same, except for three differences:
- The FDA approval. Ozempic may be prescribed off-label for weight loss by individual doctors, but Wegovy is actually FDA-approved for weight loss.
- The dosage. Both begin with an initial dose of 0.25 mg. It is their maximum dose that differs. Ozempic maxes out at 2 mg, while Wegovy goes up to 2.4 mg.
- The injector pen. Ozempic comes with multiple doses in a single pen. Wegovy, on the other hand, comes in a single dose injector pen.
Rybelsus
Patients take Rybelsus, an oral medication for type 2 diabetes, once daily. It comes in three doses: 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg. Although these doses are numerically higher than those for Ozempic and Wegovy, they deliver equivalent effects to the injectable versions.
Comparing Semaglutide Weight Loss Medications
Researchers have not conducted head-to-head clinical trials that directly compare Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus in patients using the same dosing protocols or trial populations. Instead, each product has undergone evaluation in its own clinical program (e.g., STEP, SUSTAIN, PIONEER). As a result, any comparison relies on indirect evidence or network meta-analyses rather than randomized controlled data. One such network meta-analysis found that oral semaglutide (Rybelsus 14 mg) produced similar HbA₁c reductions but slightly less weight loss than injectable semaglutide. The analysis did not show statistically significant differences compared with the 1 mg weekly formulations and still did not include direct Ozempic vs. Wegovy comparisons in the same trial.
Wegovy is the only semaglutide formulation approved specifically for weight loss. Ozempic and Rybelsus are approved for blood sugar control in diabetes, though both may also reduce weight modestly. Only Wegovy has undergone direct trials against placebo combined with lifestyle interventions for weight management, while no studies have compared its effectiveness directly with Ozempic or Rybelsus.
Semaglutide Medication Effectiveness
Ozempic and Wegovy are particularly effective, with individuals losing an average 15-20% of their starting weight in clinical trials. It is difficult to determine which is more effective, but a review of studies found that the 2.4 mg max dose (only available with Wegovy) shows more promising weight loss than the lower doses.
Rybelsus does not appear to be as effective as the injectable semaglutide medication in clinical trials. Studies have shown that the lowest dose (3 mg) of Rybelsus results in about 5 pounds of weight loss over 6 months. Another study showed the highest dose (14 mg) showed less than 5% loss over 12 months.
Higher doses of 25 mg and 50 mg are currently being studied for their weight loss potential. The 50 mg doses showed a 15% loss over 68 weeks.
Semaglutide Medication Safety
Semaglutide is not considered a risky medication for most individuals. It does, however, come with some potential side effects. The side effects for these medications are the same thanks to their shared active ingredient.
Most commonly, individuals taking a semaglutide medication will deal with gastrointestinal distress:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
There are some more serious side effects that can occur, so you should be aware of what to watch out for.
It should be noted that Ozempic and Wegovy also include injection site irritation as a potential side effect.
Semaglutide Cost
It is unlikely that your insurance plan will cover off-label medication use. Many plans will not cover weight loss prevention or treatment even if the medication is FDA-approved for weight loss. So, unfortunately, you will likely be paying out of pocket for your semaglutide medication.
The average monthly costs for these medications are:
Manufacturer coupons and savings cards can help to offset the costs. There are also subscription options available.
Where to Find Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a prescription-only medication, so you will need to contact a doctor in order to access the medication. Thankfully, Heally makes this simple and straightforward.
Ready to start your weight loss journey with Wegovy? Schedule a consultation with a weight loss doctor through Heally. We can help you save time and money—with virtual doctor visits and medication delivered directly to your door.
Sources
- Healthline: Ozempic vs. Wegovy: What You Should Know
- UC Health: Wegovy vs. Ozempic: The truth about new ‘weight-loss’ drugs
- Medical News Today: Ozempic vs Wegovy
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA): Medications Containing Semaglutide Marketed for Type 2 Diabetes or Weight Loss
- GoodRx: Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy
Important Medical Information and Disclaimers
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in two FDA-approved prescription medications: Ozempic & Rybelsus, approved for improving blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy, approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight who have at least one weight-related medical condition. Although both medications contain semaglutide, they are approved for different uses and have different dosing schedules. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment plan.
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS VARY
Outcomes with semaglutide treatment vary from person to person. Clinical trial data may not reflect typical real-world experiences. A variety of factors can affect your results, including medication adherence, lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise, metabolic differences, other health conditions, and concurrent medications. No specific result is guaranteed.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Common side effects of semaglutide may include: Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Constipation, Stomach pain, Decreased appetite, Indigestion, Belching or gas, Injection site reactions
These side effects are often mild and may lessen over time. Always inform your healthcare provider about any medical conditions, allergies, and all medications you are currently taking before starting semaglutide. Ongoing monitoring is recommended during treatment.
WARNING: Semaglutide has a boxed warning about the potential risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. Do not use this medication if you or a family member has a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
FDA ADVERSE EVENT REPORTING
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Adverse events may also be reported directly to the manufacturer.
