Ozempic and Wegovy are the same medication (semaglutide) and work the same way, though Wegovy has a higher maximum dose. While they’re the same drug, they’re under different brand names and have a slightly different dosing schedule.  Both drugs are manufactured by Novo Nordisk. The major difference is what they are FDA approved for. While Ozempic is FDA approved for diabetes, Wegovy has full FDA approval for weight loss. Semaglutide is the drug name.

Works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake. The medication dose must be increased gradually over 16 to 20 weeks to 2.4 mg once weekly to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.

The largest placebo-controlled trial enrolled adults without diabetes. The average age at the start of the trial was 46 years and 74% of patients were female. The average body weight was 231 pounds (105 kg) and average BMI was 38 kg/m2. Individuals who received Wegovy lost an average of 12.4% of their initial body weight compared to individuals who received placebo. Another trial enrolled adults with type 2 diabetes. The average age was 55 years and 51% were female. The average body weight was 220 pounds (100 kg) and average BMI was 36 kg/m2. In this trial, individuals who received Wegovy lost 6.2% of their initial body weight compared to those who received placebo. 

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Stomach (abdominal) pain
• Vomiting
• Constipation

• Eat bland, low-fat foods, like crackers, toast, and rice
• Eat foods that contain water, like soups and gelatin
• Avoid fried, greasy, or sweet foods
• Avoid lying down after you eat
• Go outdoors for fresh air
• Eat more slowly
• Drink clear or ice-cold drinks

The New England Journal of Medicine  https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183