{"id":69414,"date":"2023-04-05T15:51:18","date_gmt":"2023-04-05T21:51:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=69414"},"modified":"2026-03-27T13:48:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T19:48:34","slug":"wegovy-vs-ozempic-the-truth-about-new-weight-loss-drugs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/wegovy-vs-ozempic-the-truth-about-new-weight-loss-drugs\/","title":{"rendered":"Wegovy vs. Ozempic: The truth about new &#8216;weight-loss&#8217; drugs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div><figure id=\"attachment_69429\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-69429\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-69429\" src=\"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/04\/05154226\/Woman-exercising-tiny.webp\" alt=\"Wegovy vs. Ozempic vs. staying fit and eating a healthy diet. What's the best way to be healthy and lose weight? Photo: Getty Images.\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-69429\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wegovy vs. Ozempic? Should you consider new diabetes drugs for weight loss or skip medications and stay fit? It&#8217;s vital to know that the newest weight loss drugs are extremely expensive, and most insurance companies do not cover them. Photo: Getty Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you\u2019re interested in losing weight, perhaps your ears have perked up when you&#8217;ve heard celebrities talk about using weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound.<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-callout-box col-xs-12 col-sm-6 right\" style=\"background-color:#dce4e7; color:#2e3b44;\">\n<h4><strong>Learn more:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/zepbound-weight-loss-drug-compared-to-mounjaro-wegovy-ozempic\/\">What is Zepbound? Does this new weight loss drug work better than Wegovy and Ozempic? Will it cut costs?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/what-is-mounjaro-and-how-does-it-work-for-weight-loss\/\">What is Mounjaro? And does it work better for weight loss than Ozempic and Wegovy?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/wegovy-study-finds-weight-loss-drug-semaglutide-cuts-heart-attacks-strokes-cardiac-deaths\/\">Wegovy study finds weight loss drug sharply cuts heart attacks, strokes and cardiac deaths<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/what-to-do-about-fake-weight-loss-drugs-and-ban-on-compounded-versions\/\">What to do about fake weight loss drugs and compounded versions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/nutrition-vital-when-taking-glp-1-weight-loss-drugs\/\">Nutrition is vital when taking GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Or maybe you took note when <a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.timesnownews.com\/viral\/elon-musk-lets-twitter-in-on-his-secret-behind-13-kg-weight-loss-article-95624502\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Elon Musk tweeted about Wegovy<\/a> as his magical weight loss method.<\/p>\n<p>What are Ozempic and Wegovy, and if they\u2019re working so well for Hollywood stars, tech billionaires and social media influencers, should you think about trying these weight loss drugs?<\/p>\n<p>Before you race to your doctor to get a prescription, it\u2019s vital to consider the fine print for the medications.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Here are eight reasons you might want to be cautious before using Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Wegovy and Ozempic are not for everyone. Ozempic is approved for people with Type 2 diabetes. And Wegovy is approved for people with obesity or those who are overweight and have health problems related to excess weight.<\/li>\n<li>If you lose weight with new drugs, you likely will need to keep taking the medications forever to keep the weight off. People who stop taking Wegovy and Ozempic often gain weight back relatively quickly.<\/li>\n<li>The drugs are expensive, and in general, insurance plans don\u2019t cover them for weight loss (although they often do for people with diabetes).<\/li>\n<li>The popularity of the new drugs has led to some shortages.<\/li>\n<li>The drugs can cause unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects.<\/li>\n<li>A small percentage of people who take the drugs can suffer from a diabetes eye complication called retinopathy. Along with consulting with your primary care provider or endocrinologist, you should also see your eye doctor.<\/li>\n<li>The drugs tend to suppress a person\u2019s appetite but to lose weight, you\u2019ll still need to reduce your intake of desserts, sugar-sweetened beverages and fatty foods. And, of course, exercise is important to keep your body healthy.<\/li>\n<li>Some people have complained about looking older due to \u201cWegovy or Ozempic face.\u201d While many people taking weight loss drugs are pleased to shed some pounds, some say they\u2019re dropping weight in the wrong place: their face. Some have complained of looking old and gaunt due to fat loss in the face.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>While there are reasons to be cautious about the newest drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy are helping many people lose considerable weight \u2014 about 12% of body mass, on average \u2014\u00a0which can dramatically improve a person\u2019s health.<\/p>\n<p>And for decades, leading medical experts blamed people who were overweight or obese for the extra pounds they were carrying without giving them much help or considering the physiological causes for weight gain. Some blamed obesity on simple math: \u201cOverweight people simply needed to eat less and move more.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While sedentary lifestyles and consumption of high-calorie, processed foods most certainly have boosted obesity rates in the U.S. and around the world, experts have learned much more in recent years about genetic causes for weight gain. Some people\u2019s bodies may, in fact, want them to pack on fat. So, drugs that dramatically reduce appetite and help people lose significant pounds, may be a game changer.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_69536\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-69536\" style=\"width: 350px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-69536\" src=\"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/04\/11170814\/Dr.-Cecilia-Low-Wang.webp\" alt=\"Dr. Cecilia Low Wang is an expert on diabetes and weight loss drugs. Photo: UCHealth. \" width=\"350\" height=\"466\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-69536\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dr. Cecilia Low Wang is an expert on diabetes and weight loss drugs. Photo: UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>To get answers to your questions, we consulted with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/provider\/cecilia-low-wang-md-endocrinology-diabetes-and-metabolism\/\">Dr. Cecilia Low Wang<\/a>, a UCHealth expert in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism.<\/p>\n<p>Low Wang is also <a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/som.cuanschutz.edu\/Profiles\/Faculty\/Profile\/17261\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a professor<\/a> at the <a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/medschool.cuanschutz.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">University of Colorado School of Medicine<\/a> on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/locations\/uchealth-at-university-of-colorado-anschutz-medical-campus\/\">Anschutz Medical Campus<\/a>. And she <a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/advisory-committees\/endocrinologic-and-metabolic-drugs-advisory-committee\/endocrinologic-and-metabolic-drugs-advisory-committee-roster\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">chairs the committee<\/a> that advises the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on drugs related to endocrinology and metabolism.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/fda-approves-new-drug-treatment-chronic-weight-management-first-2014\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The FDA approved Wegovy in June of 2021<\/a>, marking the first time since 2014 that federal health authorities had given the green light to a new weight loss drug.<\/p>\n<p>(Low Wong\u2019s views do not represent those of the FDA or the <a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/advisory-committees\/human-drug-advisory-committees\/endocrinologic-and-metabolic-drugs-advisory-committee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FDA Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Wegovy vs. Ozempic: Are they the same drug? What are they?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s correct that Wegovy and Ozempic are two names for the same drug: semaglutide. Ozempic is the name of the drug as prescribed for people with diabetes. The FDA approved Ozempic for people with diabetes in 2017 and approved Wegovy for people who have obesity or are overweight and have additional health problems in 2021.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey are just prescribed under different names with slightly different doses and different indications,\u201d Low Wang said. \u201cThe drug product itself is the same.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How do Wegovy and Ozempic work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The drugs decrease appetite and slow down emptying of the stomach so people feel less hungry and eat less. They can cause some unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Who is eligible for Wegovy? <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Under the FDA authorization, Wegovy is supposed to be used for people who are obese or overweight. Those who have a body mass index (or BMI) of 30 or greater are eligible along with those who have a BMI of 27 or greater who also have other health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol that make weight loss important.<\/p>\n<p>In reality, some people who do not have obesity or weight-related health conditions have been saying that they\u2019re using Wegovy or Ozempic to drop 10 pounds and \u201cget skinny.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Are children or teens eligible to take Wegovy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Yes. The FDA has approved Wegovy for some children and teens ages 12 and older who are dealing with obesity.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Who is eligible for Ozempic?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>FDA officials approved Ozempic for people with Type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How do these drugs work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Wegovy and Ozempic mimic a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite, according to the FDA authorization.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why are weight loss drugs a big deal?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In the U.S., about 70% of adults are obese or overweight, and many have serious health problems that put them at greater risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLosing 5% to 10% of body weight through diet and exercise has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in adults,\u201d Dr. John Sharretts of the FDA\u2019s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said when the FDA approved Wegovy.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What are the most common side effects of Wegovy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Gastrointestinal problems are the most common side effects since Wegovy can slow down people\u2019s digestive systems. During clinical trials, some participants experienced nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, indigestion, dizziness, bloating and gas.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Was it wise for federal health officials to authorize Wegovy for weight loss?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In Low Wang\u2019s opinion, yes, it was wise for the FDA to authorize Wegovy for people who truly need to lose weight.<\/p>\n<p>Along with persuasive data about weight loss, Low Wang said there is evidence that people with Type 2 diabetes who take Ozempic can improve their cardiovascular health.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA 5-to-7% weight loss, for example, can significantly lower blood pressure,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<p>Cardiovascular risk factors improve in people with obesity or overweight who take Wegovy, but evidence for cardiovascular risk will have to wait until later in 2023 when the SELECT trial is completed. \u00a0(<a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clinicaltrials.gov\/ct2\/show\/NCT03574597\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about the clinical trial<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<h2><strong>If you take Wegovy or Ozempic to lose weight, will you need to keep taking the drugs indefinitely?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Yes. As with many chronic conditions, most people who use the drugs for diabetes or weight loss will need to keep taking them to keep benefiting from them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSometimes people can decrease or eliminate the need for chronic medications through significant lifestyle changes,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, that takes work and commitment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDepending on your individual situation, and without sustained lifestyle changes, it is likely you would need to be on these medications indefinitely to maintain weight loss,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What about the cost of the drugs? How much do they cost, and is the high cost a problem? <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Using Ozempic or Wegovy without insurance coverage can cost more than $15,000 a year.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s causing some challenges for doctors and patients.<\/p>\n<p>So far, many of the people who are publicly discussing using the medications are wealthy individuals for whom cost is not a problem.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd my sense is that many people posting on social media are using these drugs but don\u2019t meet the medical criteria for using them,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe cost really affects access. That\u2019s a huge issue related to health equity,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Who is supposed to be eligible to receive Wegovy for weight loss?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Here are the criteria for use of Wegovy (meaning it\u2019s meant for you, and health insurance plans might pay for the prescription).<\/p>\n<p>If your body mass index, or BMI, is 30 or above, then you are eligible. If your BMI is 27 or higher and you have additional health risks, then you\u2019re eligible to get a prescription for Wegovy, Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<p>If you don\u2019t meet those criteria, Low Wang said you would be using the medications \u201coff-label,\u201d or not as the FDA has approved them. This is OK if your health care provider feels the drug is necessary for you, but not if Wegovy is being prescribed by someone who is not one of your providers.<\/p>\n<p>She said insurance plans do tend to cover these drugs for people with Type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>I hear you have to inject yourself with these drugs. Is that true? What about people who have needle phobias?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Yes. It\u2019s true that the medications come as injectables, although there is one pill form. (See more information about that below.)<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWegovy and Ozempic are injected once a week,\u201d Low Wang said. \u201cSo that can be a challenge for anyone who is absolutely against all injections. But because you only need to do the injection once a week, I think it\u2019s doable for many people.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Tell us about the other version of the medication.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>There is a tablet form of semaglutide. It\u2019s called Rybelsus and is for people with Type 2 diabetes. Patients need to take one tablet every day.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>In terms of side effects, please tell us more about the risk of retinopathy <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>People who have uncontrolled diabetes can get retinopathy, a complication that involves damage to blood vessels in the eyes, and can result in vision loss or blindness.<\/p>\n<p>During the clinical trials for Ozempic, a small percentage of study volunteers developed new or worsening retinopathy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere was an almost three-fold increase in the rate of people getting retinopathy when they were placed on Ozempic (semaglutide) as compared to those who were not receiving Ozempic,\u201d Low Wang said. \u201cThis was the relative risk, not absolute risk, but it is still concerning. However, it occurred in a small percentage of people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>People who have retinopathy should talk with their health care providers before starting Ozempic or Wegovy. And patients also should have a thorough eye exam and regular follow-up eye exams.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Are there any other rare side effects if you take Wegovy or Ozempic?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>People may be at increased risk for pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas often caused by gall stones, alcohol use or high triglycerides.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe generally do not use this class of medicines if someone has a history of pancreatitis,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<p>If you have a history of MEN2 (multiple endocrine neoplasia 2) or medullary thyroid cancer, you should not take Ozempic or Wegovy.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How do you evaluate the safety and efficacy of drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>\u201cAs with any drug, you always have to weigh the benefits and risks,\u201d Low Wang said. \u201cEven though this can be an amazing drug for many people, each person is unique and you need to make an informed decision.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe know that if you start out with very uncontrolled diabetes and you have underlying retinopathy, if you lower the A1C (estimated blood sugar levels) too quickly, you have a higher risk of worsening retinopathy,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s one reason that it\u2019s really important to discuss weight loss drugs with your primary care provider and specialists who focus on both eye care and common conditions like diabetes so you can make good decisions.<\/p>\n<p>Many people skip annual eye exams and some who are at risk of kidney disease \u2014 like those with diabetes and high blood pressure \u2014 don\u2019t get essential blood and urine tests. Having a full health picture is vital for safe use of weight loss drugs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, these are potentially awesome medications that can lead to dramatic weight loss, but people need to be committed to following up with their ophthalmologist (eye doctor) regularly,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Is there any concern about stopping the drugs suddenly?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>No, they don\u2019t need to be tapered before stopping, Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou can always choose to stop the medications, but it\u2019s important to know that you will have a very high risk of regaining lost weight and worsening diabetes control,\u201d she said. \u201cThese medications are like others. Whatever you were treating is likely to recur.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Do you think people who are overweight or obese have been unfairly blamed for their challenges and thus, fewer have been encouraged to use medications to lose weight?<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Yes. Low Wang said the medical community has learned a great deal in recent years about genetic causes for obesity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs with many medical conditions, especially chronic conditions, there\u2019s a genetic component and an environmental component. In the past, many people mistakenly thought that weight gain was all environmental, and it\u2019s not,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat we\u2019re trying to do now is to address the end goal: decreased weight that can lead to better health,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re acknowledging the physiology that is dysregulated and contributes to excess weight for people with obesity or who are overweight. And the newer weight loss medications are able to address this.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What do researchers know about the genetic causes for weight gain?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Finding the exact genetic causes for weight gain has proven to be challenging, Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor most people, it\u2019s not a single-gene disorder. There are multiple genes that affect appetite, hunger, fullness and metabolism,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, individuals have different microbiomes and different metabolic set points, all of which affect weight and weight gain. Furthermore, researchers don\u2019t yet fully understand the connection between the brain and the gut.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s extremely complex. We\u2019re learning a lot, but there is a lot more to learn, and the causes for obesity are definitely multifactorial, including social determinants of health and the built environment,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Do you support insurance coverage for weight loss medications?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>\u201cI do,\u201d Low Wang said. She\u2019d like to see insurance coverage that fosters long-term good health for patients.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese drugs could prevent health problems down the line,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor example, if a person with diabetes reduces their weight by 15% or so, that can be enough to cause diabetes remission. That\u2019s huge because we know that Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased risk of heart attacks and strokes,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<p>Reduced weight can also help with lower blood pressure, reduced cholesterol levels and a reduction in fatty liver disease.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRight now, fatty liver is the leading cause of cirrhosis,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<p>Many people mistakenly think alcohol consumption is the leading case of cirrhosis. In fact, fatty liver disease is a bigger driver of cirrhosis.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd weight loss treats that,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>If Wegovy or Ozempic are not right for a patient, are there any other medications that may work for diabetes or weight loss?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Yes, there are other medications called Jardiance, Farxiga, and Invokana that are used to treat diabetes, but can also cause weight loss. They are what are known as SGLT2 inhibitors.<\/p>\n<p>Patients who qualify also can consider bariatric surgery.<\/p>\n<p>Or if people don\u2019t want to take drugs indefinitely, there are other options.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have non-medication weight loss strategies. The specialists at the <a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/medschool.cuanschutz.edu\/health-and-wellness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anschutz Health and Wellness Center<\/a> are terrific and can discuss other options with you,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>I understand it\u2019s really important to be careful about the doses you take of Wegovy or Ozempic. Tell us about dosing, and what is dose titration?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>To minimize gastrointestinal side effects, Low Wang said patients need to start with the lowest level dose and stay on that dose for about four weeks before moving to a higher dose.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat minimizes side effects like nausea, bloating, diarrhea and overall gastrointestinal upset,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<p>Dose titration means that a person starts with a less powerful dose, then builds up to the goal dose, which is a higher dose.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Do some people quit taking the medications because they feel lousy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Yes. Low Wang said it\u2019s common for patients to stop taking the medications because they don\u2019t like the adverse effects.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAbout one in five people might stop because they are experiencing bad side effects,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI encourage some patients to stay at the lower dose level for a longer period of time to see if they can tolerate it better and still get some benefit from the medication. Or if they don\u2019t tolerate this medication, we might try a different one,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What about Ozempic face? Some people complain of losing too much fat in their face and looking gaunt or old.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Low Wang said she\u2019s not hearing that concern from her patients. But she understands why some people could feel that way.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s probably because of the degree of weight loss. It can be pretty quick and dramatic,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How do most people react to the medications?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>\u201cMost people are pleased. Some aren\u2019t used to the decreased appetite. But of those who are able to tolerate the medications, most have been happy with the effects,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>It sounds like using weight loss drugs may be more complicated than simply starting a prescription. What is your key advice to people?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>\u201cSee your health care provider. Be aware of the side effects. And the costs may be an issue. It\u2019s not just for one year. The cost is a long term issue unless insurance plans start covering these medications for everyone who needs them,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<p>She is eager to help her patients with diabetes learn about ways to manage the condition and consider the new medications if appropriate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt doesn\u2019t have to be Ozempic, but this class of diabetes medications controls your blood sugar and causes weight loss without putting people at risk for hypoglycemia,\u201d Low Wang said. \u201cThat affects quality of life. Repeated hypoglycemia puts people at risk for car crashes and falls.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMany of the medications in this class also prevent heart attacks and strokes,\u201d Low Wang said.<\/p>\n<p>For people with diabetes, the medications make a lot of sense.<\/p>\n<p>For people who are healthy but want to lose weight, Low Wang would not recommend Wegovy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not even worth discussing because it\u2019s not indicated,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re interested in losing weight, perhaps your ears have perked up when you&#8217;ve heard celebrities talk about using weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. Or maybe you took note when Elon Musk tweeted about Wegovy as his magical weight loss method. What are Ozempic and Wegovy, and if they\u2019re working so [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2123,"featured_media":69429,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[988,2635,848,351,9187,551,212],"class_list":["post-69414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthy-living","tag-diabetes-endocrinology-care","tag-diabetes-management","tag-eye-care-ophthalmology","tag-primary-care","tag-readysetco","tag-weight-and-metabolism","tag-womens-care"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Wegovy vs. Ozempic: The truth about these new weight-loss drugs - UCHealth Today<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A diabetes drug for weight loss? Eight reasons to think carefully before starting semaglutide injections, also known as Wegovy or Ozempic.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/wegovy-vs-ozempic-the-truth-about-new-weight-loss-drugs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Wegovy vs. Ozempic: The truth about new &#039;weight-loss&#039; drugs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A diabetes drug for weight loss? 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