Wegovy or Ozempic: how they differ, why they help you lose weight and who can take them

Differences between Ozempic and Vegov

So, if they have the same active ingredient and have the same effect on the body, what differences exist between Ozempic

And veg? Vegovy like Ozempic, This is a prescription drug and Dispensed through pharmacies, but is also indicated for weight loss, weight control, including weight loss and maintenance, in adults with BMI over 30 (obesity)Yes, as a complement to a low-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Another difference is that veg It has no government funding.

Both drugs are administered subcutaneously weekly.

This medication is also indicated for weight control, including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults with BMI from 27 and at least one weight-related comorbidity such as glycemic disorders (prediabetes or type 2 diabetes), hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease.

In addition, it can be prescribed for weight control in teenagers 12 years and older with obesity (BMI of the 95th percentile) and body weight more than 60 kg.

double effect

Semaglutide has a dual effect, note Francisco Pajuelo, Medical Director of Novo Nordisk in Spain. “On the one hand, as clinical trials show, this increases Feeling full and satiety, and also reduces the frequency and intensity of hunger, which leads to lower calorie intake,” he notes.

Moreover, says Pajuelo, “he demonstrated the ability lower glucose levels in the blood, which suggests a slight delay in gastric emptying after eating.

Other options for patients with type 2 diabetes

For patients with type 2 diabetes, these drugs provide another alternative among the wide range of available treatments. “When diet and exercise are not sufficient to control diabetes, oral metformin is generally considered the treatment of choice.”

and when this is also insufficient or impossible to use (due to contraindications or due to intolerance by the patient), other drugs are used, among which GLP-1 analogues (usually administered subcutaneously, although this is an oral drug),” Pablo Caballero, pharmacist of the General Pharmaceutical Council colleges, CuídatePlus reports in detail.

Among the treatment options we also find other oral medications. “as sulfonylurea derivatives (for example, glimepiride), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (eg, sitagliptin, vildagliptin, or saxagliptin) or sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors (such as dapagliflozin, empagliflozin and canagliflozin) and others.”

For obese or overweight patients“It should be taken into account that Treatment of these conditions is complex. But dietary measures and exercise are always considered the first step to take to achieve a healthy weight,” he notes.

only when These measures are not enough, and excess weight carries health risks. designed to facilitate weight loss,” he elaborates.

This is important to consider because, as the pharmacist recalls, “Most cases of excess weight are associated with an unhealthy lifestyle.”which leaves ample opportunity for both prevention and non-drug treatment, thereby avoiding possible drug-related side effects.”

Moreover, he concludes: “lifestyle change is essential to maintain a healthy weight, because although the use of medications is indicated in some cases, once they are stopped, the lost weight can be regained if this change in habits does not occur.