Semaglutide vs Ozempic vs Wegovy vs Mounjaro: What’s the Difference?

When first looking into weight loss treatment options, medications are one of the leading interests, specifically Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. With that can come much confusion, as well as curiosity regarding if there is any significant difference between them. Concisely, yes, there are certainly differences between the three, however, there is a very significant overlap when all of these drugs are used for weight loss. For one, Ozempic and Wegovy are each brand names of the drug Semaglutide. In the United States, Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is FDA approved for weight loss and obesity. Alternatively, Mounjaro is a brand name of the drug Tirzepatide, and is FDA approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, like Ozempic. While only Wegovy is approved for weight loss by the FDA, this does not restrict physicians from prescribing drugs off label if there is good reason, and in this case, each drug has shown very promising results in terms of medical weight loss. In summary, the branded Semaglutide drugs, Wegovy and Ozempic, as well as the brand name Tirzepatide drug, Mounjaro, slightly differ in the conditions they primarily treat, but have much overlap in terms of their function when it comes to aiding weight loss.

As you may know, Wegovy and Ozempic are simply brand names of the drug Semaglutide. Semaglutide is known for its role in type 2 diabetes management, which is what the drug Ozempic is FDA-approved for. Semaglutide has shown that it is also effective in aiding weight loss, which is what Wegovy is FDA-approved for. Mounjaro is not a subset of the Semaglutide drug, but rather, the Tirzepatide drug. With that being said, Mounjaro’s primary concern is managing type 2 diabetes, just as Ozempic does. Do keep in mind that physicians can prescribe drugs for conditions they see fit even if the FDA has not approved it for said condition. This is known as off-label drug use, or OLDU, and is a very common practice. This is because the FDA does not oversee the practice of medicine, but rather, the safety of drugs. So, if a physician determines that Mounjaro or Ozempic may be an effective weight loss aid for you, they can prescribe it. It is very worthwhile to mention that though off-label prescribing is a legal and common practice, it can be more difficult to get insurance coverage for certain medications.

It is not immediately clear which weight loss drug will be best for a specific individual. A physician will have to go through a detailed evaluation of their patient’s health, noting preexisting conditions, prior treatments, procedures, etc. to ensure a safe, and beneficial option is provided. If there is some overlap between the conditions a specific drug treats, it can serve as a great indicator from which to choose. For example, both Ozempic and Mounjaro are primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, and as such, if a patient’s weight is related to their medical condition of type 2 diabetes, Ozempic or Mounjaro may be a better choice.

Long-term results and weight loss should be the end goal for all patients and is very achievable with the help of Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, etc.) or Mounjaro. It is the case that once you stop any weight loss medication that utilizes GLP-1 receptor agonists, it is possible to gain the weight back if you are not careful. Maintaining a certain weight is more about the habits a person builds over time, and thankfully, many weight loss specialists and programs that utilize these drugs stress the importance of building healthy habits like dieting and exercising, so that when you achieve your weight loss goal and stop taking the injections, you are much less likely to gain the weight back. So, in actuality, the lifestyle habits one builds are far more critical than just the injections to keep weight off long term. To learn more about all these medications, please contact us or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 12740 Hesperia Rd. Victorville, CA 92395. We serve patients from Victorville CA, Apple Valley CA, Adelanto CA, Hesperia CA, Crestline CA, Highland CA, and Barstow CA.