
Wegovy Injections
from £139.00
Wegovy is a weight loss injection that can help overweight patients lose up to 20% of their body weight. Ozempic is a type 2 diabetes treatment that can help manage blood sugar levels, and some people lose weight as a side effect. They contain the same active ingredient, the main difference being that Wegovy has been made specifically to help with weight loss.
While Ozempic can help with weight loss, it’s not been approved for this purpose and it’s usually not prescribed as a weight loss medication. Wegovy, on the other hand, is approved for weight loss and is an effective treatment. You can request a prescription and buy Wegovy online from our online doctor service.
Medically reviewed by
Dr Brenda IkejiLast reviewed: 24 Jul 2024
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a new injection for weight loss. It’s a branded medication that contains the active ingredient semaglutide. This works in the same way as a natural hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). When you use Wegovy, it makes you feel full for longer and reduces your appetite, so it’s easier for you to eat less.
Semaglutide is also the main active ingredient in Ozempic, which is an injectable pen for regulating blood sugar levels. You should only be prescribed Ozempic if you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic is not an approved weight loss medication, although some doctors may prescribe it ‘off label’. This means the medication can still be prescribed if it could be beneficial for a patient, even if it’s not licensed for that condition. Please note: At ZAVA we do not prescribe Ozempic.
If you’re considering taking Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss, there are some key similarities and differences.
Wegovy | Ozempic | |
---|---|---|
Active ingredient | Semaglutide |
Semaglutide |
Available doses | 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1.0mg, 1.7mg and 2.4mg |
0.25mg, 0.5mg and 1.0mg |
Common side effects | headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation |
headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation |
Frequency | Once a week |
Once a week |
Requires a prescription? | Yes |
Yes |
What it’s approved for | Weight loss |
Type 2 diabetes |
Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide, which is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which is usually released after you’ve eaten. This sends a signal to your body to produce insulin, reducing your blood glucose (sugar) levels.
Semaglutide also sends signals to your brain that you’ve eaten, so you’ll feel full for longer and have a reduced appetite. This makes it easier to lose weight safely by reducing your appetite, making it easier to lower your calorie intake and limit snacking without feeling hungry all the time.
Both Ozempic and Wegovy’s active ingredient is semaglutide, although the available doses of semaglutide can be different during treatment with either medication.
If you’re looking to compare generic semaglutide vs Ozempic, there currently isn’t an unbranded version of semaglutide. This means you’d only be able to consider either Wegovy or Ozempic. The patent for semaglutide doesn’t run out until 2031, so a generic won’t be available until then. Once available, it would work the same way but would likely be cheaper since it wouldn’t have to be bought under a brand name.
Wegovy can have a stronger effect on appetite than Ozempic once you reach the maximum dose of 2.4mg. This dose is most effective for weight loss but may not be suitable for type 2 diabetes treatment. It also comes with a higher chance of side effects, so you can choose to stay at a lower dose if that works for you.
There are a few main differences when comparing Wegovy vs Ozempic for weight loss. Firstly, while both can be taken for weight loss, only Wegovy is approved and licensed as a weight loss treatment.
Secondly, because Wegovy is licensed for weight loss and Ozempic isn’t, there is a higher range of available doses. You can take 1.7mg or 2.4mg doses of Wegovy for weight loss but Ozempic’s maximum dosage only goes up to 1.0mg.
“It’s usually best to get a weight loss treatment that’s been approved, as more research and clinical studies have been carried out into the effectiveness of the medicine as a weight loss aid. The dosage will also be more exact for weight loss, rather than for the medication's primary use.”
You may have heard about Ozempic tablets for weight loss, which are called Rybelsus. These are a new pill in the UK and are currently only used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Rybelsus also contains the active ingredient semaglutide.
Wegovy is a more effective treatment for weight loss because Ozempic is not a weight loss medication. There have also been some studies of Ozempic for weight loss, but the results are not as good as with Wegovy.
According to this study – when taking the maximum dose of Wegovy (2.4mg once a week), 83.5% of people lost at least 5% of their initial starting weight by week 68.
The same study also shows that people can lose up to 15% of their starting weight on the maintenance dose of 2.4mg after 68 weeks.
According to this study – when taking 1mg of semaglutide weekly (the standard dose of Ozempic), 66.9% of people lost at least 5% of their initial starting weight after 24 months (104 weeks).
Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient, which means the side effects are similar. The only difference is that the standard dose of Wegovy is 2.4mg, while Ozempic’s standard dose is between 0.5mg and 1.0mg. This means you may be more likely to get side effects from Wegovy as the dosage is higher.
Your doctor will monitor your side effects while taking either medication. Speak to them if you have any concerns or get side effects that don’t go away.
Wegovy | Ozempic | |
---|---|---|
Very common | headache, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, feeling weak or tired |
nausea, diarrhoea, low blood sugar when used alongside oral diabetes medicine containing sulfonylurea or insulin |
Common | upset stomach, dizziness, burping or gas, bloating, inflamed stomach (gastritis) reflux or heartburn, reactions at the injection site, diabetic eye retinopathy complications, gallstones, hair loss, change in skin sensations, change in the way food or drink tastes |
vomiting, low blood sugar when used alongside oral diabetes medicine other than sulfonylurea or insulin, diabetic eye retinopathy complications. indigestion, inflamed stomach (gastritis), reflux or heartburn, stomach pain, bloating, constipation, burping or gas, gall stones, dizziness, tiredness, weight loss, reduced appetite, increased pancreatic enzymes |
Uncommon | fast heartbeat, an increase in pancreatic enzymes, delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis), low blood sugar in people without diabetes, an increased level of bilirubin in your blood (which can cause jaundice) |
changes in taste, fast pulse, allergic reactions, reaction at the site of injection, delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis) |
Serious (requires immediate medical treatment) | severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), an inflamed pancreas, kidney or bladder stones, bowel obstruction (severe constipation), hip fractures |
severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), an inflamed pancreas, bowel obstruction (severe constipation) |
No, you can’t buy Ozempic or Wegovy without a prescription. You must meet certain requirements to take Wegovy and Ozempic, so it could be unsafe to take these medications if you’ve not been prescribed them.
Your doctor will make sure either Wegovy or Ozempic is a suitable treatment based on your weight or blood pressure, medical history and any other medications you take.
The price difference between Ozempic and Wegovy depends on where you get it. They are usually around the same price, but it may be difficult to find Ozempic as an approved alternative.
Wegovy | Ozempic | |
---|---|---|
Cost | From £139.00 per pack at ZAVA Online Doctor |
From £179.00 per pack |
How long does it last? | 1 month |
1 month |
How many doses are included? | 4 doses |
4 doses |
Ozempic is only licensed for diabetes but Wegovy can be used by people with or without diabetes. If you have diabetes and are on either Wegovy or Ozempic, you may be able to switch.
A doctor will be able to advise you on which treatment is right for you based on your blood sugar levels, weight and other health factors. They will also be able to provide advice on switching from one to the other.
If you do not have diabetes and you’re taking Ozempic off-licence, you may be able to switch to the Wegovy at the same dose of semaglutide, or one higher if you’ve been taking your current dose for more than 4 weeks.
If you don’t have diabetes, switching from Wegovy to Ozempic is not usually necessary since Wegovy is licensed for weight loss in people without diabetes and Ozempic isn’t.
Wegovy and Ozempic are similar medications since they both contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide. They are not the same though since they are licensed for different things. Wegovy is licensed for weight loss and Ozempic is licensed for diabetes treatment. Also, they have different available doses, with Wegovy doses going as high as 2.4mg and Ozempic usually only going to 1.0mg.
No, taking Wegovy and Ozempic together is dangerous. This would mean you are taking more semaglutide than you should, which can cause serious side effects, such as low blood sugar. It can also increase your risk of common side effects like nausea and vomiting.
As long as you follow your doctor’s instructions, there aren’t many risks involved with switching from Wegovy or Ozempic. You may get side effects, like with any medication, if you’re switching to another dosage schedule.
Switching from Ozempic to Wegovy can have a few benefits, such as:
You can always switch between weight loss treatments if they aren’t working for you, or you are getting side effects. You can also switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro.
Ozempic and Wegovy have a few alternatives, such as Mounjaro. This is the main Wegovy alternative if you still want to use an injectable treatment.
Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, which is a GLP-1 agonist. It also mimics a second hormone called GIP which is thought to further enhance the effects of GLP-1. It’s injected once weekly, and the recommended maintenance dose is 5mg, 10mg, or 15mg. Like Wegovy, you’ll follow a regime to slowly increase the dosage.
At ZAVA we also have weight loss tablets available, such as:
There’s also an over-the-counter version of orlistat, known as Alli. This contains a lower dose but works in the same way and you don’t need a prescription for it.
You can find more information on our dedicated Wegovy alternatives page.
To ensure that you are not left alone, ZAVA offers a free holistic support package developed by an in-house nutritionist in collaboration with our doctors, as well as free regular medical check-ins throughout your treatment.
This is why you will not only receive your medication, but also a free support package when you start weight loss treatment with us. In this detailed nutrition and lifestyle guide, we:
Although Ozempic and Wegovy both contain the same active ingredient semaglutide, Wegovy is the only medication that’s approved for weight loss. For this reason, Wegovy may be a better choice, as the dosage schedule has been created for effective weight loss.
You can still get Ozempic, but it may be harder to find and you’ll need to have it prescribed ‘off label’.
No, you must get a prescription to use Wegovy for weight loss. Your doctor will make sure it’s suitable based on your BMI, other health conditions, and any medications that you take.
To take Wegovy, you must have a BMI (body mass index) of:
You can buy Wegovy online from trusted and regulated online doctor services, such as ZAVA. To buy Wegovy from us, you’ll need to complete a short medical form that will be reviewed by one of our doctors. If suitable, Wegovy will be sent to your home, with free standard delivery.
Wegovy cost in the UK depends on where you get it. You can buy Wegovy from us for £139.00 per pack, which is 4 weeks' worth of medication.
This depends on your circumstances and what type of diet and exercise regime you’re following. Your doctor will make sure you’ve lost at least 5% of your weight after taking the maintenance dose for 6 months.
No, Wegovy is not a generic Ozempic. Wegovy and Ozempic are both branded medications with different uses.
No, you cannot take Wegovy if you are currently taking Ozempic. This is because they are effectively the same medication as they both have the same active ingredient (semaglutide), but are available at different dosages. Taking both at the same time could cause an overdose or other unwanted side effects.
If you are taking Ozempic for weight loss and switch to Wegovy, you should see an improvement in your weight loss results. This is because Wegovy is available at a higher dosage, which is more effective for losing weight.
If Wegovy and Ozempic aren’t right for you, then other options can help you with your weight loss journey. Other injections for weight loss include Saxenda (although this is currently long-term out of stock) and Mounjaro, which are medications proven to help you lose weight and work similarly to Wegovy and Ozempic. If you would prefer a tablet, then Mysimba is a weight loss tablet that works similarly by reducing your appetite.
There are also weight loss tablets such as Xenical and Orlistat which work slightly differently from Wegovy. These medications change how your body absorbs fat and cause excess fat to be passed through the body as waste.
Brenda studied medicine at St Georges University of London and has most recently worked in John Radcliffe Oxford University Hospitals, covering acute and general medicine.
Last reviewed: 24 Jul 2024
BMJ (2021). Wegovy (semaglutide): a new weight loss drug for chronic weight management: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34706925/, [accessed 24/07/2024]
BNF (2024). Semaglutide: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/semaglutide/, [accessed 24/07/2024]
EMC (2024). Ozempic 0.5 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen (Patient Information Leaflet): https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9750/pil, [accessed 24/07/2024]
EMC (2024). Wegovy 0.25 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen (Patient Information Leaflet): https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13799/pil, [accessed 24/07/2024]
NHS (2023). Obesity: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/, [accessed 24/07/2024]
PubMed (2022). Real-world use of once-weekly semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes at an outpatient clinic in Spain: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9523693/, [accessed 24/07/2024]
The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183, [accessed 24/07/2024]
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