Ozempic vs Wegovy: Same Medicine, Different Dose
Ozempic and Wegovy are both semaglutide, both from Novo Nordisk, and the confusion between them is the most common question women arrive with. The differences come down to what each is approved to treat and how high the dose goes. Here is what actually separates them, and what each costs at Elara.
Medically reviewed by Elara Care Team (Elara editorial, clinical claims reviewed with Wasef Health). Last reviewed September 3, 2026.
| Feature | Ozempic | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Semaglutide. | Semaglutide. The same molecule, from the same manufacturer. |
| Approved for | Type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and exercise, and reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease. | Chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight related condition, and reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with heart disease who also carry excess weight. |
| Maximum dose | 2 mg once weekly. | 2.4 mg once weekly, the dose the weight management trials used. |
| Weight data | Weight loss is well documented in diabetes trials, but weight is not what this label is for. | About 15 percent of body weight at 68 weeks in STEP 1, the trial the approval rests on. |
| Used for weight loss | Off label. | On label. This is the version approved for it. |
| Price at Elara | $1,700 for one month. | $1,697 for one month, or $4,999 for three months. |
| Side effects | Nausea, reduced appetite, constipation or diarrhea, mostly early and while the dose is climbing. | The same, and slightly more common at the higher 2.4 mg dose. |
| Cheaper route to the same molecule | Compounded semaglutide from $247 for one month. | Compounded semaglutide from $247 for one month. |
Same molecule, two labels
Novo Nordisk took semaglutide through diabetes trials and it became Ozempic in 2017. It then took the same molecule through obesity trials at a higher dose and it became Wegovy in 2021. The medicine is the same. The label, the maximum dose, and the price are not.
That is also why Ozempic became the household name for weight loss while Wegovy is the one actually approved for it. The reputation attached to the diabetes label, and the shortages that followed did the rest.
Which one a provider chooses
With type 2 diabetes, Ozempic is the on label choice. When the goal is weight, Wegovy is, and its 2.4 mg ceiling is the dose the weight trials were run at, so it is the version with weight management data behind it. At Elara the two cost within a few dollars of each other for a month, so price is not the deciding factor between them.
The cheaper route to the same molecule
Compounded semaglutide starts at $247 for one month against roughly $1,700 for either brand. It is the same active ingredient, prepared per prescription for you by a licensed US 503A pharmacy, and it is not reviewed by the FDA for safety or effectiveness the way the brand products are. Compounded vs brand name GLP-1s sets out that trade in full.
Starting either one
Elara prescribes both after a free online consultation reviewed by a licensed provider, and you are only charged if you are prescribed. Compare the compounded semaglutide plans and the compounded tirzepatide plans, see every price on the pricing page, or start from the weight care overview.
If you are choosing between molecules rather than labels, see semaglutide vs tirzepatide. The tirzepatide version of this page is Mounjaro vs Zepbound.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wegovy the same as Ozempic?
Both are semaglutide from Novo Nordisk. Wegovy goes to a higher maximum dose, 2.4 mg against 2 mg, and is approved for chronic weight management, while Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes. The molecule is identical.
Which one is better for weight loss?
Wegovy, on the evidence, because the weight management trials were run at its 2.4 mg dose and the approval reflects that. Prescribing Ozempic for weight is off label, which providers do, but the data sits with Wegovy.
Why do they cost almost the same at Elara?
Because they are the same medicine and are sourced at similar cost. Neither brand is the budget option: compounded semaglutide is roughly a seventh of the price.
Can I move from Ozempic to Wegovy?
Yes, and your provider maps the dose across rather than restarting from the bottom, since both are semaglutide. Tell your provider what dose you are on and how you have tolerated it.