Medication compare
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Ozempic vs Wegovy: a head-to-head comparison of efficacy, dosing, pricing, FDA status, and which is right for you.
Ozempic and Wegovy are the same drug — semaglutide — manufactured by Novo Nordisk. The difference is the FDA-approved indication and maximum dose.
| Dimension | Ozempic | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| FDA indication | Type 2 diabetes | Chronic weight management (BMI ≥30, or ≥27 + comorbidity) |
| FDA approval year | 2017 | 2021 |
| Max dose | 2.0 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Pen format | Multi-dose pen | Single-dose pen |
| List price | ~$968/mo | ~$1,349/mo |
| Insurance coverage | Generally covered for Type 2 diabetes | Coverage requires obesity diagnosis and prior auth |
Wegovy is the FDA-approved formulation of semaglutide for weight loss. It carries a higher max dose (2.4 mg vs 2.0 mg) and is priced at a premium because it is the indicated product. Ozempic is widely prescribed off-label for weight loss when prescribers and patients prefer it for cost or supply reasons.
This is at the prescriber's discretion. Many endocrinologists and obesity-medicine specialists will prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss when Wegovy is unavailable or unaffordable, but it is not the FDA-approved use, and insurance coverage for off-label weight-loss prescribing is uncertain.