Bottom line
Ozempic and Wegovy are the same molecule — semaglutide, same manufacturer. The differences are regulatory: Ozempic is FDA-approved for diabetes; Wegovy for obesity. That single distinction changes everything about coverage and cost.
The efficacy gap is about the dose
Ozempic maxes at 2.0 mg/week (diabetes); Wegovy at 2.4 mg/week (obesity). That extra 0.4 mg is the ~12% vs ~16% weight loss difference.
Which should you ask for?
- Diabetes → Ozempic, universally covered
- Obesity without diabetes → Wegovy first
- Both → Wegovy at higher dose, better outcomes
The Zepbound question
Tirzepatide produces ~22% average weight loss — meaningfully more than semaglutide at any dose. Worth considering if weight loss is the primary goal.