With the rise of Ozempic as a ‘miracle drug’ for weight loss, more and more research is being conducted on how Ozempic works and whether is there any way to further boost its impact. However, whenever Ozempic is discussed somewhere, you might have noticed the term ‘semaglutide’ being used synonymously. But are Semaglutide and Ozempic both the same? Before finding out a definitive answer, let’s take a look at what Semaglutide and Ozempic are,
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Semaglutide
Semaglutide is an active ingredient in a number of weight loss and Diabetes Type II medications including Ozempic. A Glucagon-Like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, Semaglutide stimulates the GLP-1 hormones in your body which are released whenever you eat something. In short, semaglutide increases insulin production, suppresses glucagon production, and slows down stomach emptying which stabilizes the body’s blood glucose levels. Semaglutide is also known to have an appetite-suppressing effect which helps in lowering the calorie intake thus promoting weight loss. Currently, you can’t buy generic semaglutide medications, however, the FDA has approved three brand-name versions.
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Ozempic
Ozempic is one of the brand-name versions of Semaglutide actively available in the market today. As per the label, Ozempic is a weekly injected medication but you do need a doctor’s prescription for it. Ozempic follows a similar action plan as semaglutide, acting as a GLP-1 agonist. The FDA originally approved the use of Ozempic for lowering blood glucose levels among Diabetes Type II patients in addition to physical exercise and diet changes as well as for reducing the risk of heart disease or stroke among Diabetes Type II patients or individuals having a medical history of heart diseases. Moreover, Ozempic is quite often prescribed as an ‘off-label’ drug for weight loss, especially for patients having a history of weight-related disorders.
What’s the actual difference between the two?
Although synonymous, there is a very thin line that differentiates Ozempic and semaglutide as separate medications. Semaglutide is an active component within Ozempic but is also a part of medications like Wegovy and Rybelsus, medications that are more focused on the weight-loss benefits of semaglutide. Also, you can’t actually purchase a generic semaglutide medication as the FDA has only approved three name-based versions which are Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus respectively. Ozempic may also differ from other semaglutide medications in terms of the dosage amount.
Some popular ‘other’ semaglutide labels
- Wegovy
Just like Ozempic, Wegovy is a weekly injected semaglutide medication that is commonly used for weight loss. If you’re taking Wegovy, you’ll still need to inject the medication on a weekly basis, although the dosage might be higher than Ozempic. The FDA approved Wegovy as a weight loss medication for patients over the age of 12 who can be classified as obese or overweight with a history of weight-related disorders such as high cholesterol levels, Diabetes, etc. For effective and long-term effects, make sure to use Wegocy along with a clean diet and a strict exercise routine.
- Rybelsus
Unlike both Wegovy and Ozempic, Rybelsus is the only semaglutide variant that can be swallowed instead of injecting it under the skin. The medication was FDA-approved to lower blood sugar levels in adults diagnosed with Diabetes Type II. However, Rybelsus isn’t effective when it comes to reducing the risk of heart complications and you may have to take the drug by mouth on a daily basis.
Possible off-label uses of Semaglutide
Blood sugar level maintenance and lowering body weight aren’t the only two uses of semaglutide-based medications. Here’s a brief overview of possible off-label uses of Semaglutide,
- Brain Health: A 2022 study suggests semaglutide could potentially have benefits for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, but more research is needed.
- Fatty Liver Disease: A 2022 review suggests that drugs like semaglutide may be helpful in managing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
- PCOS Management: A 2021 review explores the potential use of semaglutide in managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Further research is needed in this area.
Final Note
Remember, semaglutide is a core ingredient within the Ozempic medication, and the mode of action for both drugs is similar. This explains why both Semaglutide and Ozempic are often considered the same with very few differences.
