Comparisons
Ozempic vs Wegovy: the same semaglutide under two different labels
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Short answer
Ozempic and Wegovy are both semaglutide, but their FDA labels differ. Ozempic treats type 2 diabetes and tops out at 2 mg weekly. Wegovy covers weight, heart risk and MASH, rising in 4-week steps to 2.4 mg: step 5 starts in week 4 × 4 + 1 = 17. Wegovy HD adds 7.2 mg. As of Oct 21, 2026.
On this page14 sections
- Side-by-side comparison table
- Indications: who each label covers
- Dose ladders side by side
- Pens, syringes and strengths
- Tablets: the Wegovy pill and Ozempic tablets
- Half-life and time in the body
- Missed doses and changing the day
- Trials behind each label
- Side effects in each label
- Can you switch between them?
- Coverage and savings programs
- Compounded semaglutide
- FAQ
- Sources
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ozempic active ingredient | Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist | Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026 |
| Wegovy active ingredient | Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist | Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026 |
| Ozempic first FDA approval | Dec 5, 2017 | FDA, Oct 19, 2026 |
| Wegovy first FDA approval | Jun 4, 2021 | FDA, Oct 19, 2026 |
| Ozempic indications | Type 2 diabetes: glycemic control; cardiovascular risk with heart disease; kidney and CV outcomes with chronic kidney disease | Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026 |
| Wegovy injection indications | Weight reduction (adults and ages 12+); CV risk with heart disease and obesity or overweight; noncirrhotic MASH (F2–F3) | Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026 |
| Ozempic ladder | 0.25 mg × 4 weeks, then 0.5 mg; 1 mg and 2 mg only if more glycemic control is needed, each after ≥4 weeks | Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026 |
| Wegovy ladder | 0.25 → 0.5 → 1 → 1.7 → 2.4 mg every 4 weeks; optional 7.2 mg (Wegovy HD) for adult weight reduction | Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026 |
| Ozempic maximum weekly dose | 2 mg | Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026 |
| Wegovy maximum weekly dose | 7.2 mg (Wegovy HD), adult weight reduction only; otherwise 2.4 mg | Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026 |
| Ozempic missed dose | Give as soon as possible within 5 days; after 5 days, skip | Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026 |
| Wegovy missed dose | Give if next dose is more than 2 days away; otherwise skip | Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026 |
| Ozempic elimination half-life | About 1 week | Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026 |
| Wegovy elimination half-life | About 1 week | Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026 |
| Ozempic tablets | 1.5, 4, 9 mg once daily | Novo Nordisk, Jan 30, 2026 |
| Wegovy tablets | 1.5, 4, 9, 25 mg once daily | Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026 |
| Using them together | Wegovy label: use with other semaglutide products or any other GLP-1 agonist is not recommended | Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026 |
| Ozempic-to-Wegovy conversion | None given; the Wegovy label does not mention Ozempic | Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026 |
Also useful: Semaglutide level plotter, Semaglutide storage dates.
Ozempic and Wegovy are two brand names for one molecule. Both labels name semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist made by Novo Nordisk, and both describe an elimination half-life of about 1 week (Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026) (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026). What differs is everything FDA approved around it: who it is for, how high the dose goes, which pens deliver it and the missed-dose rule. For the molecule itself, see the semaglutide hub. This is a reference, not a plan: talk to your prescriber before starting, changing or switching.
Side-by-side comparison table
| Item | Ozempic | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Semaglutide | Semaglutide |
| First FDA approval | Dec 5, 2017 | Jun 4, 2021 |
| Main use | Type 2 diabetes | Weight reduction |
| Who | Adults | Adults; ages 12 and older for weight |
| Starting dose | 0.25 mg weekly for 4 weeks | 0.25 mg weekly for 4 weeks |
| Maintenance doses | 0.5, 1 or 2 mg | 1.7 or 2.4 mg (2.4 mg recommended); optional 7.2 mg |
| Maximum weekly dose | 2 mg | 7.2 mg (Wegovy HD, adults, weight only) |
| Missed dose window | Within 5 days | If next dose is more than 2 days away |
| Injection devices | Multi-dose pens; single-dose syringes | Single-dose pens and syringes; FlexTouch multi-dose pen |
| Daily tablet | Ozempic tablets, 1.5 to 9 mg | Wegovy tablets, 1.5 to 25 mg |
Sources: (Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026) (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026) (FDA, Oct 19, 2026) (FDA, Oct 19, 2026) (Novo Nordisk, Jan 30, 2026)
We quote Ozempic SPL version 20, published Jun 10, 2026 (DailyMed, Jun 10, 2026), and the Wegovy label revised 6/2026, both still current on DailyMed on Oct 21, 2026.
Indications: who each label covers
The clearest difference is the population. Every Ozempic indication involves adults with type 2 diabetes. Wegovy’s indications are built around weight, heart risk and liver disease, and none requires diabetes.
| Use | Ozempic | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes (with diet and exercise) | Yes | No |
| Lower risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established heart disease | Yes | No |
| Lower risk of eGFR decline, kidney failure and cardiovascular death in type 2 diabetes with chronic kidney disease | Yes | No |
| Reduce excess body weight and keep it off, adults | No | Yes |
| Weight reduction, ages 12 and older with obesity | No | Yes |
| Lower risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with heart disease and obesity or overweight | No | Yes (approved Mar 8, 2024) |
| Noncirrhotic MASH with moderate to advanced fibrosis (F2–F3), adults | No | Yes (accelerated approval, Aug 15, 2025) |
Sources: (Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026) (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026) (FDA, Mar 8, 2024) (Novo Nordisk, Aug 15, 2025)
The Ozempic Medication Guide says it is not known if Ozempic is safe and effective in children (Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026). The Wegovy MASH approval is accelerated, which means continued approval may depend on a confirmatory trial (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026) (FDA, Aug 15, 2025). Because the labeled uses differ, the diagnosis on a prescription is what points to one brand or the other.
Dose ladders side by side
Both injections start at 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks and step to 0.5 mg. After that they part ways. Ozempic moves up only when more blood-sugar control is needed. Wegovy follows a fixed 4-week escalation to 2.4 mg.
| Weeks | Ozempic | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| 1–4 | 0.25 mg (start) | 0.25 mg (start) |
| 5–8 | 0.5 mg (first maintenance option) | 0.5 mg |
| 9–12 | 1 mg, if more glycemic control is needed | 1 mg |
| 13–16 | 2 mg (maximum), if needed after ≥4 weeks on 1 mg | 1.7 mg (maintenance option) |
| 17 onward | 2 mg | 2.4 mg (recommended maintenance) |
| Optional | None | 7.2 mg after ≥4 weeks on 2.4 mg, if more weight reduction is clinically indicated (adults, weight only) |
Sources: (Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026) (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026)
Ozempic’s week numbers are the earliest possible starts, not a calendar. For type 2 diabetes with chronic kidney disease, the Ozempic label sets one target: 1 mg once weekly after at least 4 weeks on 0.5 mg. Wegovy’s label says to consider delaying a step by 4 weeks if a dose is not tolerated, and its 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg steps have no Ozempic equivalent. Wegovy HD 7.2 mg was approved on Mar 19, 2026, 54 days after filing (FDA, Mar 19, 2026).
- Weekly dose (published steps)
- Modeled amount (mg-eq)
- Stable window
- Weekly dose (published steps)
- Modeled amount (mg-eq)
- Stable window
The charts show a modeled relative amount on board (7-day half-life, weekly accumulation ratio 2.0), not a blood level. Put your own start date on either ladder with the semaglutide titration calculator, or overlay the two in the semaglutide plotter. Step-by-step detail is in the Ozempic dosing schedule and the Wegovy dosing schedule.
Pens, syringes and strengths
| Presentation | Ozempic | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-dose pen, starting doses | 2 mg/3 mL: 4 doses of 0.25 mg and 2 of 0.5 mg, or 4 doses of 0.5 mg | None |
| Multi-dose pen, higher doses | 4 mg/3 mL: four 1 mg doses; 8 mg/3 mL: four 2 mg doses | FlexTouch 9.6 mg/3 mL: four 2.4 mg doses |
| Single-dose pens | None | 0.25, 0.5, 1 mg (0.5 mL); 1.7, 2.4, 7.2 mg (0.75 mL) |
| Single-dose syringes | 0.25, 0.5, 1 mg per 0.5 mL | 0.25 to 2.4 mg |
| In-use or out-of-fridge limit | Pen: 56 days after first use; single-dose syringe: up to 28 days at 8–30 °C | Single-dose pen: up to 28 days at 8–30 °C; FlexTouch: 56 days after first use |
Sources: (Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026) (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026)
Both labels list the abdomen, thigh or upper arm as injection sites and say a pen “must never be shared between patients, even if the needle is changed” (Ozempic pens; Wegovy FlexTouch). Neither injection may be frozen. Count the 28-day and 56-day windows with the semaglutide storage calculator.
Tablets: the Wegovy pill and Ozempic tablets
Each brand now has a separate once-daily tablet.
| Item | Ozempic tablets | Wegovy tablets |
|---|---|---|
| Label | Combined Rybelsus and Ozempic tablets label (revised 1/2026) | Combined Wegovy label (revised 6/2026) |
| Indications | Glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes; CV risk reduction in those at high risk for these events | Weight reduction and CV risk reduction in adults |
| Strengths | 1.5, 4, 9 mg | 1.5, 4, 9, 25 mg |
| Ladder | 1.5 mg days 1–30; 4 mg days 31–60; then 4 mg or 9 mg | 1.5, 4, 9 mg for 30 days each; 25 mg from day 91 |
| Missed dose | Skip; take the next dose the following day | Skip; take the next dose the following day |
Sources: (Novo Nordisk, Jan 30, 2026) (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026)
The Ozempic tablets label says the 1.5 mg starting dose “is not effective for glycemic control,” and that Rybelsus and Ozempic tablets are not substitutable on a mg-to-mg basis (Novo Nordisk, Jan 30, 2026). The Wegovy pill was approved on Dec 22, 2025 (Novo Nordisk, Dec 22, 2025). Only about 1% to 2% of a tablet dose is absorbed, compared with 89% for the injection (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026). Tablet doses are much larger in milligrams.
Half-life and time in the body
| Measure | Ozempic label | Wegovy label |
|---|---|---|
| Absolute bioavailability | 89% | 89% |
| Time to peak | 1 to 3 days | 1 to 3 days |
| Elimination half-life | About 1 week | About 1 week |
| Time to steady state | 4 to 5 weeks of weekly dosing | Not stated |
| Still in circulation after last dose | About 5 weeks | About 5 to 7 weeks after 2.4 mg or 7.2 mg |
Sources: (Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026) (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026)
The Wegovy figure refers to its 2.4 mg and 7.2 mg doses, both above any Ozempic dose.
Missed doses and changing the day
The same drug carries two different missed-dose rules.
| Situation | Ozempic | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Dose missed, remembered soon | Give as soon as possible within 5 days | Give as soon as possible if the next dose is more than 2 days away |
| Remembered late | After 5 days, skip and resume on the regular day | Less than 2 days to the next dose: skip and resume on the regular day |
| 2 or more doses in a row missed | No separate rule in the label | Restart escalation at a lower dose |
| Changing the weekly day | Allowed if doses are at least 2 days (more than 48 hours) apart | Patient information: allowed if the last dose was 2 or more days before |
Sources: (Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026) (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026)
Example with a Sunday dose day: remembering on Wednesday is 3 days late. Ozempic’s 5-day window says take it; Wegovy’s rule also says take it, because Sunday is 4 days away. Remembering on Saturday, the Ozempic dose is 6 days late and skipped, and the Wegovy dose is skipped because Sunday is less than 2 days away.
Trials behind each label
The Wegovy weight rows below come from trials that excluded diabetes (STEP 1, Studies 7 and 8); the label also has separate weight trials in type 2 diabetes. The rows come from different trials with different populations, durations and analyses, so they cannot be compared directly.
| Trial | Length | Semaglutide arm | Placebo | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEP 1, weight | 68 weeks | −14.9% (2.4 mg) | −2.4% | Treatment-policy estimand |
| Label Study 8, weight | 72 weeks | −18.8% (7.2 mg); −15.5% (2.4 mg) | −3.9% | Intention-to-treat, LS mean |
| Label Study 7, weight | 64 weeks | −13.6% (25 mg tablet) | −2.4% | Intention-to-treat, LS mean |
| SELECT, major CV events | Mean 39.8 months | 6.5% (2.4 mg) | 8.0% | Hazard ratio 0.80 |
Sources: (New England Journal of Medicine, Mar 18, 2021) (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026) (New England Journal of Medicine, Dec 14, 2023)
The treatment-policy estimand counts everyone randomized, whether or not they stayed on the drug. In STEP 1, 50.5% on semaglutide lost at least 15% of body weight at 68 weeks vs 4.9% on placebo (New England Journal of Medicine, Mar 18, 2021). The MASH approval rested on ESSENCE part 1, where 36.8% on Wegovy vs 22.4% on placebo had improved fibrosis without worsening steatohepatitis at 72 weeks (Novo Nordisk, Aug 15, 2025). Our sources hold no weight-loss trial of Ozempic in people without diabetes, so we do not quote one.
Side effects in each label
Both labels list nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and constipation among the most common reactions.
| Reaction | Ozempic 0.5 mg | Ozempic 1 mg | Wegovy 2.4 mg | Placebo (Ozempic / Wegovy pool) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 15.8% | 20.3% | 44% | 6.1% / 16% |
| Vomiting | 5% | 9.2% | 24% | 2.3% / 6% |
| Diarrhea | 8.5% | 8.8% | 30% | 1.9% / 16% |
Sources: (Novo Nordisk, Jun 1, 2026) (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026)
The Ozempic pool comes from two trials in adults with type 2 diabetes; the Wegovy pool covers three weight trials of up to 68 weeks. In the Wegovy pool, 6.8% on 2.4 mg vs 3.2% on placebo stopped treatment permanently because of adverse reactions (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026).
Can you switch between them?
What the labels say, and leave out:
- Not together. The Wegovy label says using it with other semaglutide-containing products or with any other GLP-1 receptor agonist is not recommended (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026). Ozempic is a semaglutide-containing product.
- No brand-to-brand conversion. Neither injection label gives a dose conversion or a switching schedule between Ozempic and Wegovy.
- Switches the labels do describe. Wegovy: one week after the last 2.4 mg injection, start 25 mg Wegovy tablets (Novo Nordisk, Jun 18, 2026). Ozempic: one week after stopping the 0.5 mg injection, start 4 mg or 9 mg Ozempic tablets (Novo Nordisk, Jan 30, 2026). Each stays within one brand.
A move from one brand to the other is a new prescription for a different labeled use. Your prescriber decides the starting dose and timing, so talk to your prescriber rather than matching milligrams on your own.
Coverage and savings programs
Both brands have a Novo Nordisk copay savings offer for people whose commercial insurance covers that specific brand, and both offers exclude government beneficiaries such as Medicare and Medicaid enrollees (Novo Nordisk, Oct 19, 2026) (Novo Nordisk, Oct 19, 2026). The Ozempic offer is valid for up to 48 months; the Wegovy terms state no end date. Novo’s Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, running Jul 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2027, covers Wegovy pen and pill for eligible beneficiaries; the pages we reviewed do not list Ozempic in it (Novo Nordisk, Jul 1, 2026) (Novo Nordisk, Oct 19, 2026).
Prices and fine print are on the Ozempic savings card guide and the Wegovy savings card guide. Ask your plan which brand it covers for your diagnosis.
Compounded semaglutide
Semaglutide injections were on FDA’s drug shortage list from March 2022 (Wegovy) and August 2022 (Ozempic). FDA declared the shortage resolved on Feb 21, 2025 (FDA, Feb 21, 2025). FDA states that “Compounded drugs are not approved by FDA” (FDA, Apr 1, 2026). Compounded semaglutide is not interchangeable with either brand, and neither label’s doses, pens or missed-dose rules apply to it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?
- Both are semaglutide from Novo Nordisk, but they are separate FDA-approved products. Ozempic is labeled for adults with type 2 diabetes, with weekly maintenance doses of 0.5, 1 or 2 mg. Wegovy is labeled for weight reduction (adults and ages 12 and older), cardiovascular risk reduction with obesity or overweight, and noncirrhotic MASH, with a recommended 2.4 mg maintenance dose and an optional 7.2 mg (Wegovy HD). Pens, missed-dose rules and tablets also differ.
Is Ozempic the same as Wegovy?
- The active ingredient is the same: semaglutide, with a half-life of about 1 week. The products are not. They have different approved uses, different dose ladders (Ozempic tops out at 2 mg weekly, Wegovy at 2.4 mg or 7.2 mg), different pens and different missed-dose windows (5 days for Ozempic, a 2-day rule for Wegovy). Talk to your prescriber.
Can you take Ozempic for weight loss?
- Weight reduction is not one of the uses in the Ozempic label. Its three indications all involve adults with type 2 diabetes. The label does say semaglutide lowers blood glucose and reduces body weight, but the semaglutide product that FDA approved for chronic weight management is Wegovy, first approved on Jun 4, 2021. Whether any medicine is right for weight loss is a decision for you and your prescriber.
Which is stronger, Ozempic or Wegovy?
- They are the same molecule, so the difference is the dose. Ozempic's maximum is 2 mg once weekly. Wegovy's recommended maintenance dose is 2.4 mg, and adults on the weight indication who tolerate 2.4 mg for at least 4 weeks, when additional weight reduction is clinically indicated, may go to 7.2 mg (Wegovy HD). A higher label dose is not the same as a better result for a given person, and we found no trial in our sources that compared the two brands head to head.
Can you switch from Ozempic to Wegovy?
- Neither the Ozempic nor the Wegovy injection label gives a conversion or a switching schedule between the two brands. The Wegovy label says using it with other semaglutide-containing products or any other GLP-1 receptor agonist is not recommended, so they are not taken together. A switch means a new prescription, and your prescriber decides the starting dose and timing. Talk to your prescriber before changing anything.
Sources
- OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use - Full Prescribing Information (SPL). Novo Nordisk / National Library of Medicine DailyMed, Jun 1, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use; WEGOVY (semaglutide) tablets, for oral use - Full Prescribing Information (SPL, Revised 6/2026). Novo Nordisk / National Library of Medicine DailyMed, Jun 18, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- RYBELSUS (semaglutide) tablets and OZEMPIC (semaglutide) tablets, for oral use - Full Prescribing Information (SPL version 14, Revised 1/2026). Novo Nordisk / National Library of Medicine DailyMed, Jan 30, 2026. Accessed Oct 21, 2026.
- Drugs@FDA record NDA209637 (OZEMPIC semaglutide injection) - submissions history. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (openFDA Drugs@FDA API), Oct 19, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Drugs@FDA record NDA215256 (WEGOVY semaglutide injection) - submissions history. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (openFDA Drugs@FDA API), Oct 19, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection SPL version history (setid adec4fd2-6858-4c99-91d4-531f5f2a2d79), DailyMed web services. National Library of Medicine DailyMed, Jun 10, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- FDA Approves First Treatment to Reduce Risk of Serious Heart Problems Specifically in Adults with Obesity or Overweight. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Mar 8, 2024. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Novo Nordisk A/S: Wegovy® approved in the US for the treatment of MASH. Novo Nordisk A/S, Aug 15, 2025. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- FDA Approves Treatment for Serious Liver Disease Known as 'MASH'. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Aug 15, 2025. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- FDA Approves Oral Wegovy® Pill. Novo Nordisk Inc. (US), Dec 22, 2025. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- FDA Approves Fourth Product Under National Priority Voucher Program, Higher Dose Semaglutide. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Mar 19, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine (Wilding JPH et al.; PMID 33567185), Mar 18, 2021. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine (Lincoff AM et al.; PMID 37952131), Dec 14, 2023. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Save on Ozempic® (ozempic.com savings and resources). Novo Nordisk (ozempic.com), Oct 19, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Wegovy® Savings Offer - Eligibility and Restrictions / Offer Details (WegovyTerms.com). Novo Nordisk (NovoCare), Oct 19, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Wegovy® Cost & Coverage Information | Wegovy® (semaglutide). Novo Nordisk (wegovy.com), Oct 19, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Wegovy® Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Access. Novo Nordisk Inc. (US), Jul 1, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Declaratory Order: Resolution of Shortages of Semaglutide Injection Products (Ozempic and Wegovy). U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Feb 21, 2025. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- FDA clarifies policies for compounders as national GLP-1 supply begins to stabilize. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Apr 1, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.