It is indeed correct that Wegovy and Ozempic are two names for the same drug, semaglutide. Ozempic is the name for the drug when prescribed if you have diabetes. The FDA approved Ozempic for diabetes in 2017 and then approved Wegovy in 2021 if you have obesity or are overweight with additional health problems.
They are prescribed under different names because of the different doses and different indications, the semaglutide itself is the same.
How Do They Help You Lose Weight?
The drugs both decrease your appetite and slow down the emptying of your stomach so you feel less hungry and will eat less. They can occasionally cause some unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects.
To minimize any gastrointestinal side effects, you should begin with the lowest level dose and stay on that dose for about a month before moving to a higher dose. This will minimize the side effects like nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and overall gastrointestinal issues.
Reasons to be Careful with Both Wegovy and Ozempic
* Wegovy and Ozempic may not be for you. Ozempic is approved if you have Type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is approved if you have obesity or if you are overweight and have health problems related to excess weight.
* If you do lose weight with either drug you likely will need to keep taking it to keep the weight off. People who have stopped taking Wegovy and Ozempic often gain weight back quickly.
* The drugs are expensive, and usually insurance plans will not cover them for weight loss, although they often do if you have diabetes.
* The popularity of the new drugs has recently created some shortages.
* The drugs have caused unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects.
* A small percentage who has taken the drugs have suffered from a diabetes eye complication called retinopathy. Along with consulting with your doctor you should also see your eye doctor.
* The drugs tend to suppress your appetite but to lose weight, you will still need to reduce your intake of desserts, sugar-sweetened beverages, and any fatty foods. Exercise is important to keep your body healthy.
* Some people have complained about looking older from Wegovy or Ozempic face. While many people using weight loss drugs are happy to shed some pounds, some say they are also dropping weight in their face. There have been some complaints of looking old and gaunt due to fat loss in the face.
There are some reasons to be cautious about Ozempic and Wegovy, but they are helping many people lose considerable weight, about 12% of body mass on average, which can dramatically improve your health.
Are You a Candidate for Either Wegovy or Ozempic?
Under the FDA authorization, Wegovy is supposed to be used if you are obese or overweight. If you have a body mass index, or BMI, of 30 or greater than you are eligible. Of if you have a BMI of 27 or greater and also have other health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, which will make weight loss beneficial for your health.