Ozempic vs. Wegovy: Same Drug, Different Label
Both are semaglutide — here's what actually separates them.
The bottom line
Ozempic and Wegovy are the same medication — semaglutide. Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (max 2.0 mg); Wegovy is approved for weight management and goes to 2.4 mg, which is why the on-label weight-loss data is strongest for Wegovy. If weight management is the goal, that’s the relevant approval — but a clinician decides what’s appropriate.
At a glance
| Ozempic | Wegovy | |
|---|---|---|
| Active drug | Semaglutide (the same molecule) | |
| FDA approved for | Type 2 diabetes; CV risk reduction | Chronic weight management; CV risk in obesity |
| Max dose | 2.0 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Studied in | SUSTAIN program | STEP program |
| Weight loss | Meaningful, secondary endpoint | ~14.9% on-label (STEP 1) |
Ozempic and Wegovy are the same drug — semaglutide. The difference is the FDA-approved use and the top dose. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes (and lowering cardiovascular risk); Wegovy is approved specifically for weight management and titrates to a slightly higher dose, which is why the weight-loss data is strongest for Wegovy.
Dose ceilings
Which applies to you?
Ozempic
- Prescribed primarily for type 2 diabetes
- Tops out at 2.0 mg
- Often used off-label for weight
Wegovy
- Approved for chronic weight management
- Titrates to 2.4 mg
- Strongest on-label weight-loss evidence
Because both are semaglutide, DripVitals offers compounded semaglutide — the same active ingredient, clinician-reviewed, from $199/month.
Getting treatment online
DripVitals is an online clinic: complete a secure intake, a licensed clinician reviews it, and if a GLP-1 medication is appropriate it ships from a licensed pharmacy to your door, with follow-ups by message or video.
See if you qualifyExplore GLP-1 treatments
Related comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Is Ozempic or Wegovy better for weight loss?
They’re the same drug. Wegovy is the version FDA-approved for weight management and reaches a slightly higher dose, so it has the strongest on-label weight-loss evidence.
Can I take Ozempic for weight loss?
It’s sometimes prescribed off-label for weight, but Wegovy is the approved weight-management version. A clinician determines what’s appropriate.
Is compounded semaglutide the same as Ozempic/Wegovy?
It contains the same active ingredient (semaglutide) but is not FDA-approved and is prepared by a licensed pharmacy. See compounded vs brand.
How does semaglutide compare to tirzepatide?
See our semaglutide vs tirzepatide comparison.
Clinical references
- Wilding JPH, et al. STEP 1. N Engl J Med. 2021;384:989–1002.
- Marso SP, et al. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes (SUSTAIN-6). N Engl J Med. 2016;375:1834–1844.
- Lincoff AM, et al. SELECT. N Engl J Med. 2023;389:2221–2232.
- FDA prescribing information: Ozempic; Wegovy.