Weight Loss Medications Containing Semaglutide

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.

Semaglutide weight loss 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—perhaps the most recognizable weight loss medication—available. This semaglutide drug is injected once weekly.

Ozempic is FDA-approved for diabetes management, but is often prescribed off-label for weight loss.

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 is prescribed off-label for weight loss, 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

The only similarity between Rybelsus and Ozempic/Wegovy? The active ingredient: semaglutide.

Rybelsus is an oral medication that is taken once daily. It comes in three doses: 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg. Though they are much higher than what is available for Ozempic and Wegovy, these are considered equivalent with the injected doses.

Compounded semaglutide medication

While most people are familiar with the semaglutide brands, there are compounded versions of semaglutide available.

Compounded semaglutide should contain the same active ingredient as the branded medications. “Should” being the operative word. The FDA does not approve or regulate compounded medications.

Unfortunately, some compounded semaglutide medication may contain a salt form of the active ingredient. This salt form is not nearly as effective as the regulated semaglutide.

This does not mean no compounded semaglutide is safe. But, it does mean you need to be more cautious. Make sure you are aware of the active and inactive ingredients in the generic semaglutide medication you are purchasing.

Comparing semaglutide weight loss medications

There are currently no studies directly comparing Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. There are also no current studies conducted using compounded semaglutide, so we will focus on the known semaglutide brands for this comparison.

Semaglutide medication effectiveness

While there are no comparative studies, there are plenty of individual studies and trials we can pull information from.

Ozempic and Wegovy are particularly effective, with individuals losing an average 15-20% of their starting weight. 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 when it comes to weight loss. 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 medication 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.

See how Heally can save you money on your semaglutide prescription with subscriptions starting at $299 per month.

Where to find semaglutide weight loss medications

Semaglutide is a prescription-only medication, so you will need to contact a doctor in order to access the medication. Thankfully, companies like Heally make this simple and straightforward.

Ready to start your weight loss journey? 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.