Ozempic vs Wegovy (Same Drug, Different Label)
By DoseGauge Editorial · Updated 2026-06-12 · 4 min read
Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active drug: semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist given by once-weekly subcutaneous injection. They differ in brand, FDA-approved indication, and maximum dose. Ozempic is labeled for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes with a maximum of 2.0 mg once weekly. Wegovy is labeled for chronic weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction with a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once weekly. This page compares the two labels. It does not recommend either one.
Same drug, different label
The active ingredient in both products is semaglutide. The FDA labels for Ozempic and Wegovy both identify it as a GLP-1 receptor agonist administered subcutaneously once weekly. A GLP-1 receptor agonist mimics the incretin hormone GLP-1, which the labels associate with effects on blood glucose and on slowed gastric emptying.
Because the molecule is identical, the two products share the same boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors and the same contraindication in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). The difference between Ozempic and Wegovy is not chemistry. It is the indication each brand is approved for and the dose ladder that goes with it.
A separate oral form of semaglutide also exists. On December 22, 2025 the FDA approved a Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide 25 mg once daily) for chronic weight management, a tablet that is distinct from the once-weekly injection. This calculator and the math below apply to the injectable, reconstituted vial form, not the tablet.
Indications and dosing
The clearest way to see the difference is side by side. The table reflects the two FDA labels.
| Ozempic | Wegovy | |
|---|---|---|
| Active drug | Semaglutide | Semaglutide |
| Drug class | GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Route and frequency | Subcutaneous, once weekly | Subcutaneous, once weekly |
| Primary indication | Glycemic control in type 2 diabetes | Chronic weight management |
| Additional indication | Cardiovascular risk reduction in type 2 diabetes with established CVD | Cardiovascular risk reduction in established CVD with obesity or overweight |
| Starting dose | 0.25 mg weekly x 4 weeks | 0.25 mg weekly x 4 weeks |
| Maximum dose | 2.0 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
Both ladders begin at 0.25 mg once weekly for the first 4 weeks and step up at intervals of at least 4 weeks. The endpoints differ: Ozempic tops out at 2.0 mg, Wegovy at 2.4 mg.
If you are reconstituting a vial and need to turn one of these milligram doses into syringe units, the unit count depends on your concentration, not on the brand. The calculator does that conversion from your vial strength and water volume.
CalculatorOpen the Semaglutide dosage calculator ->Side effects at a glance
Because the molecule is the same, the side-effect profiles overlap heavily. Both labels list gastrointestinal reactions as the most common: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain appear in both. The Wegovy label additionally lists reactions such as headache, fatigue, dyspepsia, and others among its common adverse reactions, and it carries a statement about monitoring for suicidal behavior and ideation.
Both labels share the boxed warning on thyroid C-cell tumors and warnings covering pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, hypoglycemia, acute kidney injury, hypersensitivity, and diabetic retinopathy complications. For the full label-cited breakdown, see semaglutide side effects.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ozempic the same as Wegovy?
They contain the same active drug, semaglutide, but they are not the same product. They are approved under separate FDA labels with different indications and different maximum doses (2.0 mg for Ozempic, 2.4 mg for Wegovy). Same molecule, different brand and label.
Can you switch between Ozempic and Wegovy?
That is a clinical decision, not one this page can make. The two products have different indications, dose ladders, and maximum doses, so switching is not a simple one-to-one swap. Any change between products is determined by a prescriber working from the relevant label.
Do Ozempic and Wegovy work the same way?
Both are GLP-1 receptor agonists containing semaglutide, so the mechanism described in the labels is the same. The labels differ in the populations studied and the indications approved, which is why one is marketed for type 2 diabetes and the other for weight management.
Informational and educational only. Not medical advice. DoseGauge computes from the values you enter and does not recommend a dose. Talk to a licensed clinician before using any peptide or GLP-1 medication.