The confusion between Wegovy and Ozempic is one of the most common questions in the weight loss medication space — and it's completely understandable. They contain the same drug, they're made by the same company, and they look very similar. But they're licensed for different purposes, come in different doses, and should be used in different clinical situations.

Same ingredient, different products

Both Wegovy and Ozempic contain semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist manufactured by Novo Nordisk. They work in exactly the same way — mimicking the gut hormone GLP-1 to reduce appetite, slow gastric emptying, and regulate blood sugar.12

The critical difference is the licence and dose:

  • Ozempic is licensed in the UK exclusively for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Its doses range from 0.25mg to a maximum of 2mg weekly.2
  • Wegovy is licensed specifically for weight management in adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) with at least one weight-related comorbidity. Its doses go up to 2.4mg, with a higher 7.2mg dose approved by the MHRA in January 2026.1

Why Wegovy produces more weight loss

The answer is simply the dose. Wegovy's standard maintenance dose (2.4mg) is higher than Ozempic's maximum dose (2mg), and the newer 7.2mg dose is more than three times higher. Since semaglutide's weight loss effect is dose-dependent, more drug means more appetite suppression and more weight loss.

In clinical trials, Wegovy at 2.4mg produced approximately 15% body weight loss over 68 weeks (STEP 1 trial), while at the newer 7.2mg dose, it achieved 20.7% over 72 weeks (STEP UP trial). Ozempic, at its lower diabetes-focused doses, typically produces around 10–12% weight loss — still significant, but less than what the higher Wegovy doses achieve.34

Why can't I just use Ozempic for weight loss?

Technically, a doctor can prescribe any medicine "off-label" — meaning for a purpose it hasn't been specifically licensed for. Some private prescribers have done this with Ozempic in the past. However, this practice has been actively discouraged in the UK for several important reasons:

  • Supply shortages: Off-label prescribing of Ozempic for weight loss contributed to supply problems that affected people with Type 2 diabetes who genuinely need it for blood sugar management. The UK government has advised doctors to stop prescribing Ozempic off-label for weight loss.5
  • Lower efficacy: Since Ozempic's maximum dose is 2mg versus Wegovy's 7.2mg, you're getting less weight loss from a medication that wasn't optimised for that purpose
  • Licensed alternatives exist: Wegovy and Mounjaro are both specifically licensed for weight management in the UK, with clinical trial programmes designed to demonstrate their safety and efficacy for this use

What about Ozempic for people with diabetes who also want to lose weight?

If you have Type 2 diabetes and are taking Ozempic, you will likely experience some weight loss as a beneficial side effect. This is expected and can improve your diabetes management. However, if weight loss is a primary treatment goal alongside diabetes management, your prescriber might consider Mounjaro (tirzepatide) instead, which is licensed for both Type 2 diabetes and weight management.6

Side effects

Since they contain the same active ingredient, the side effects are essentially the same — nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, and stomach pain being the most common. However, because Wegovy is prescribed at higher doses, side effects may be more pronounced, particularly during dose escalation.12

Both carry rare risks of pancreatitis (~1 in 100) and gallbladder disease. For a full breakdown, see our side effects viewer.

Cost comparison in the UK

  • Ozempic (private): £120–£250/month, depending on dose and provider
  • Wegovy (private): £99–£299/month
  • Ozempic (NHS): Available on NHS prescription for Type 2 diabetes (standard prescription charge)
  • Wegovy (NHS): Available via Tier 3 specialist weight management services, but access is limited

Ozempic is generally cheaper per month, but since it produces less weight loss, the cost per kilogram lost may actually favour Wegovy or Mounjaro.

The bottom line

Wegovy and Ozempic are the same drug at different doses for different purposes. If your goal is weight management, Wegovy is the appropriate licensed product. If you have Type 2 diabetes, Ozempic is the appropriate product (or Mounjaro, which covers both). Using Ozempic off-label for weight loss is discouraged in the UK and contributes to supply problems for diabetes patients.

If you're unsure which is right for you, speak to your GP or prescriber — they can advise based on your individual health needs and treatment goals.

Compare all medications side by side

Use our interactive tool to see Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, and more in a detailed comparison.

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