Comparison
Ozempic® vs. Wegovy®: what's the difference?
By the TreatmentMD editorial team
Key takeaways
- Ozempic® and Wegovy® are both semaglutide, made by Novo Nordisk, but each is approved for a different job.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
- Wegovy® is the one approved for weight loss, at higher doses. Ozempic® is approved for type 2 diabetes.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
- If you're looking to lose weight, Wegovy® is the usual route, and your clinician will help you find the right fit.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
By the TreatmentMD editorial team
If you've been reading about GLP-1s, you've almost certainly heard of Ozempic®. People use its name for almost every weight-loss shot. But the one approved for weight loss is actually Wegovy®.
So what's the difference? The short version: same medicine, two names, two jobs. Here's what that means for you.
01The short answer
Are Ozempic® and Wegovy® the same?
They're the same medicine, semaglutide, from the same maker, Novo Nordisk.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
But they're two separate brands, approved for different things, at different doses, in different pens. That's why one isn't simply swapped for the other.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
| Wegovy® | Ozempic® | |
|---|---|---|
| Approved for | Weight loss, and lowering heart risk | Type 2 diabetes, and lowering heart and kidney risks |
| Who it's for | Adults, and teens 12 and older (the shot) | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Top weekly dose | 2.4 mg, or 7.2 mg with Wegovy® HD | 2 mg |
| The pen | A new single-dose pen each week | One pen holds about a month of doses |
| Daily pill | The Wegovy® pill | The Ozempic® pill |
02What each is for
What is each one approved for?
Wegovy® is approved, alongside diet and activity, to help adults with obesity, or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, lose weight and keep it off.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
It also helps lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults with heart disease and excess weight.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources The shot is approved for teens 12 and older with obesity too, and for MASH, a kind of fatty liver disease.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
Ozempic® is approved for adults with type 2 diabetes: to manage blood sugar, and to lower heart and kidney risks in people who also have heart or kidney disease.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
It isn't FDA approved for weight loss, though some people with type 2 diabetes lose weight on it.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
No wonder it gets confusing: people often call any GLP-1 "Ozempic."
The same pattern holds for tirzepatide: Mounjaro® is approved for type 2 diabetes, and Zepbound® for weight loss.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources Our tirzepatide vs. semaglutide article compares the two medicines.
03Doses and pens
Is Wegovy® just a stronger Ozempic®?
Partly, yes. Both start at 0.25 mg once a week and step up about once a month.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
Ozempic® goes up to 2 mg. Wegovy® goes to 2.4 mg, and Wegovy® HD to 7.2 mg for some adults.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
But dose isn't the only difference. Wegovy® has its own approvals, and the pens work differently.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
Ozempic® comes in one pen that lasts about a month. You set your dose with a dial and attach a new needle each time.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
Wegovy® comes as a single-dose pen for each week, with the dose already set and the needle hidden.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
Missed a dose? With Ozempic®, you can take it within five days. With Wegovy®, take it if your next dose is more than two days away.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
And if you've seen people talk about counting pen clicks, the Ozempic® pen's instructions say not to.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
Either way, your clinician sets your dose and the pace, so you're never working it out alone.
04For weight loss
Can you take Ozempic® for weight loss?
A clinician can prescribe it that way. It's called off-label use, and the FDA allows it when a clinician judges it right for their patient.2U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Understanding Unapproved Use of Approved Drugs "Off Label". Content current as of February 5, 2018.Open the source All sources
But for weight loss, Wegovy® is the usual route. It's the one approved for it, at higher doses, and insurance and pricing follow that approval.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources3Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0701: Diabetes, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists. Effective June 15, 2026.Open the source All sources
Novo Nordisk's lower cash price for Ozempic® is only for its approved uses, like type 2 diabetes.4Novo NordiskSourceNovo Nordisk. Save on Ozempic®. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources5The White HouseSourceTrumpRx.gov. Ozempic® Pen Self-Pay Model Program Terms and Conditions. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources And many plans cover Ozempic® only for type 2 diabetes too.3Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0701: Diabetes, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists. Effective June 15, 2026.Open the source All sources
Curious whether you'd qualify for Wegovy®? Here's who qualifies for a GLP-1, in plain English.
05Results
Which helps you lose more weight?
Wegovy® was studied for weight loss. In its main study, people without diabetes lost about 15% of their weight on average.6The New England Journal of MedicineRandomized trial · 2021STEP 1Mean body weight fell 14.9 percent on semaglutide against 2.4 percent on placebo over 68 weeks.1,961 people · 68 weeks. Adults with BMI 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related comorbidity, without diabetes.Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. Wilding JPH, et al., 2021.Read the study All sources
Ozempic® was studied for blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. They lost some weight along the way, about 7 to 13 pounds on average.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
Those studies looked at different people, so they're not a fair head-to-head. People with type 2 diabetes tend to lose a little less.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
One study did compare the two doses in the same group: adults with type 2 diabetes. They lost about 10% on 2.4 mg, the Wegovy® dose, against about 7% on 1 mg, an Ozempic® dose.7The LancetSourceDavies M, Færch L, Jeppesen OK, et al. Semaglutide 2.4 mg once a week in adults with overweight or obesity, and type 2 diabetes (STEP 2): a randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2021;397(10278):971-984.Open the source All sources
Because it's the same medicine, the side effects are much the same, mostly an upset stomach early on and after each step up. That's why both start low and go slow, giving your body time to adjust.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
06Cost
Is Ozempic® cheaper than Wegovy®?
Not anymore, if you're paying cash. Novo Nordisk sells both pens for $199 a month for your first two fills as a new patient, through December 31, 2026.4Novo NordiskSourceNovo Nordisk. Save on Ozempic®. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources8Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay prices. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources
After that, the Wegovy® pen is $349 a month, and Ozempic® is $349, or $499 for its top dose.4Novo NordiskSourceNovo Nordisk. Save on Ozempic®. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources8Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay prices. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources The Wegovy® pill starts at $149 a month.8Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay prices. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources
Where Ozempic® can cost less is with insurance, which usually covers it for type 2 diabetes.3Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0701: Diabetes, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists. Effective June 15, 2026.Open the source All sources
If you're paying cash for weight loss, it's worth comparing other options too. Our branded vs. compounded guide walks you through them.
07Insurance
Why might a plan cover one and not the other?
Plans cover each medicine for what it's approved for, and many leave out weight-loss medicines altogether.9KFFSourceKFF. Costly GLP-1 Drugs Are Rarely Covered for Weight Loss by Marketplace Plans. June 12, 2024.Open the source All sources
So a plan might cover Ozempic® for type 2 diabetes but not Wegovy® for weight loss, even though both are semaglutide.3Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0701: Diabetes, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists. Effective June 15, 2026.Open the source All sources9KFFSourceKFF. Costly GLP-1 Drugs Are Rarely Covered for Weight Loss by Marketplace Plans. June 12, 2024.Open the source All sources
If your plan covers the one you're prescribed, Novo Nordisk's savings cards can lower your share to as little as $25 a month.4Novo NordiskSourceNovo Nordisk. Save on Ozempic®. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources10Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® savings offer terms and conditions. Checked October 6, 2026.Open the source All sources
With Medicare, most drug plans cover Ozempic® for type 2 diabetes, though its savings card doesn't apply.4Novo NordiskSourceNovo Nordisk. Save on Ozempic®. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources For weight loss, Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge covers Wegovy®, shot or pill, for $50 a month for people who qualify.11Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceMedicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 7, 2026.Open the source All sources Our insurance article explains how to check your plan.
08Switching
Can you switch from Ozempic® to Wegovy®?
Yes, with your clinician. People switch for coverage, a higher dose or a pill.
There's no official dose chart between the two, so your clinician will choose your starting dose and timing.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
You'll stop one before starting the other, since the labels advise against taking two semaglutide medicines together.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
If you have type 2 diabetes, Wegovy® can still be an option for weight, since diabetes counts as a weight-related condition.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources7The LancetSourceDavies M, Færch L, Jeppesen OK, et al. Semaglutide 2.4 mg once a week in adults with overweight or obesity, and type 2 diabetes (STEP 2): a randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2021;397(10278):971-984.Open the source All sources
09The pills
What about the Wegovy® and Ozempic® pills?
Each brand now has a daily pill, with the same split: the Wegovy® pill for weight, and the Ozempic® pill for type 2 diabetes.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
They use different doses, so they don't swap milligram for milligram.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
In the U.S., the Ozempic® pill is taking over from Rybelsus®, the first semaglutide pill.12Novo NordiskSourceNovo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk's Ozempic® pill, the only FDA-approved oral peptide GLP-1 medication for adults with type 2 diabetes, soon to be available in the US. May 1, 2026.Open the source All sources Our pills vs. injections article has more on how the pills work.
10Choosing
Which one is right for you?
It mostly comes down to why you're taking it. Here's how it usually shakes out:
You want to lose weight
Wegovy® is the one approved for it, as a weekly shot or a daily pill.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
You have type 2 diabetes
Ozempic® is approved to manage your blood sugar, and Wegovy® can still be an option for weight. Your clinician will help you weigh them.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
You'd rather take a pill
The Wegovy® pill is for weight, and the Ozempic® pill for type 2 diabetes.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
Your insurance covers one
Your plan's rules may point you to one or the other, so it's worth checking first.3Cigna HealthcareSourceCigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0701: Diabetes, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists. Effective June 15, 2026.Open the source All sources
Frequently asked questions.
How much weight do people lose on Wegovy®?
In the main studies of people without diabetes, people lost about 15% of their weight on average with Wegovy® 2.4 mg, and about 19% with Wegovy® HD.6The New England Journal of MedicineRandomized trial · 2021STEP 1Mean body weight fell 14.9 percent on semaglutide against 2.4 percent on placebo over 68 weeks.1,961 people · 68 weeks. Adults with BMI 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related comorbidity, without diabetes.Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. Wilding JPH, et al., 2021.Read the study All sources13The Lancet Diabetes and EndocrinologyRandomized trial · 2025STEP UPPeople lost 18.7% of their weight on semaglutide 7.2 mg, against 15.6% on 2.4 mg and 3.9% on placebo.1,407 people · 72 weeks. Adults with a BMI of 30 or more, without diabetes. Funded by Novo Nordisk.Once-weekly semaglutide 7.2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial. Wharton S, et al., 2025.Read the study All sources Results vary from person to person.
Is there a generic Ozempic® or Wegovy®?
Not yet in the U.S. The FDA has tentatively approved one, but it can't be sold until patents run out.14U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Drugs@FDA: ANDA 220314, semaglutide injection (Apotex Inc.), tentative approval April 7, 2026.Open the source All sources
Can I use my Ozempic® prescription to get Wegovy®?
No. They're separate prescriptions, so your clinician would write a new one for Wegovy®, with its own starting dose.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
Can I take Ozempic® and Wegovy® together?
No. It's one semaglutide medicine at a time, and your clinician will help you pick the right one.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources
Is the Ozempic® pill the same as Rybelsus®?
It's the newer form of Rybelsus®, renamed, with new doses.
The two don't swap milligram for milligram, so your prescriber will move you over.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.All sources12Novo NordiskSourceNovo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk's Ozempic® pill, the only FDA-approved oral peptide GLP-1 medication for adults with type 2 diabetes, soon to be available in the US. May 1, 2026.Open the source All sources
The bottom line
Ozempic® and Wegovy® are the same medicine with two different jobs.
For weight loss, Wegovy® is the one approved for it, and your clinician will help you find the right fit.
When you're ready, compare programs on our ranking to see what each one offers.
By the TreatmentMD editorial team
Medical disclaimerThis content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any weight-loss program or medication. Individual results may vary.
Sources
- 1FDA prescribing information for Ozempic® (injection and tablets), Wegovy® (injection and tablets), Mounjaro® and Zepbound®: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Adverse Reactions; Use in Specific Populations; Clinical Studies; How Supplied; Instructions for Use.
- 2FDA. Understanding Unapproved Use of Approved Drugs "Off Label". Content current as of February 5, 2018. fda.gov
- 3Cigna Healthcare. Drug Coverage Policy IP0701: Diabetes, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists. Effective June 15, 2026. cigna.com
- 4Novo Nordisk. Save on Ozempic®. Checked October 7, 2026. ozempic.com
- 5TrumpRx.gov. Ozempic® Pen Self-Pay Model Program Terms and Conditions. Checked October 7, 2026. trumprx.gov
- 6Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989-1002. doi.org
- 7Davies M, Færch L, Jeppesen OK, et al. Semaglutide 2.4 mg once a week in adults with overweight or obesity, and type 2 diabetes (STEP 2): a randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2021;397(10278):971-984. doi.org
- 8NovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay prices. Checked October 7, 2026. novocare.com
- 9KFF. Costly GLP-1 Drugs Are Rarely Covered for Weight Loss by Marketplace Plans. June 12, 2024. kff.org
- 10NovoCare. Wegovy® savings offer terms and conditions. Checked October 6, 2026. novocare.com
- 11Medicare.gov. Weight loss drugs: the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Checked October 7, 2026. medicare.gov
- 12Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk's Ozempic® pill, the only FDA-approved oral peptide GLP-1 medication for adults with type 2 diabetes, soon to be available in the US. May 1, 2026. novonordisk-us.com
- 13Wharton S, Freitas P, Hjelmesaeth J, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide 7.2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2025. doi.org
- 14FDA. Drugs@FDA: ANDA 220314, semaglutide injection (Apotex Inc.), tentative approval April 7, 2026. accessdata.fda.gov
Product information
- Zepbound® (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or adults with overweight who have at least one weight-related medical condition. It is also approved for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, and should be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- Ozempic® (semaglutide) is a prescription-only injectable medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss; however, weight reduction has been observed in some individuals with type 2 diabetes using the medication.
- Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss; however, weight reduction has been observed in some individuals using the medication.
- Wegovy® (semaglutide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or adults with at least one weight-related medical condition, when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- All medications require a medical evaluation and prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Individual results may vary.
Important safety information
- Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are prepared by state-licensed pharmacies and are not FDA approved. The FDA does not review their safety, effectiveness or quality, and clinical trial results for brand-name drugs do not carry over to them.
- Semaglutide and tirzepatide carry a boxed warning for a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, based on animal studies, and are not for anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN2, or who is pregnant. Other warnings include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and a higher risk of low blood sugar when combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea. The most common side effects are digestive, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.
- This is a high-level summary, not a complete list. A licensed clinician will review your health history to decide whether a GLP-1 medication is right for you.
