Ozempic, Wegovy & Mounjaro: Identify The Differences

The names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are now quite familiar as these drugs are the hottest topics in the town. Being the magic weight loss drugs of Hollywood, these drugs have attained quite an audience.

But the FDA hasn’t approved these drugs for weight loss purposes. Ozempic and Mounjaro are prescribed to manage blood glucose levels. And only Wegovy is suggested by experts to treat obesity and overweight that too as an adjunct to diet and exercise.

Read on to know more about these Tirzepatide and Semaglutide weight loss drugs.

Ozempic

Ozempic is the brand name of a semaglutide injection that comes under the drug class called antidiabetics or Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Agonists. It is usually prescribed to treat Diabetes Mellitus. Semaglutides are GLP-1 receptor agonists also called incretin mimetics.

These work by enhancing insulin secretion in your body and increasing glycemic control. Good glycemic control is necessary to balance blood sugar levels and that is where the importance of semaglutide comes to the fore.

The Food and Drugs Administration approved Ozempic for treating type 2 diabetes in 2017 in the United States. It is currently used as an off-label for aiding in weight loss for patients who suffer from obesity or are overweight.

What is Ozempic used for?

Ozempic was initially approved to balance glycemic control in patients who suffer from type 2 diabetes. It also can be used to decrease the onset of cardiovascular issues. But at the same time, the Food and Drugs Association has made it clear that it is not a substitute for insulin.

So Ozempic can not be prescribed for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Also, they have advised that it should not be used for patients who have a history of pancreatitis.

How does it work?

When one takes Ozempic, it balances the blood sugar levels and thereby decreases the appetite of patients. It instigates insulin secretion in your body and reduces glucagon release. Being a GLP-1, Glucagon-like-Peptide-1, Ozempic increases insulin sensitivity in the body.

That is how they primarily treat diabetes. The intake of Ozempic can reduce your appetite and contribute to a feeling of fullness. That is how it can aid in weight loss. Studies have shown that the intake of Ozempic can also decrease sugar cravings.

How to use Ozempic?

Ozempic comes as a subcutaneous injection that should be taken once a week for 4 weeks. Each injection contains 0.25mg of Ozempic and it is ideal for the initial treatment. Your doctor will suggest an additional 0.5mg along with the Ozempic after 4 weeks.

This is to control the glycemic levels in your body and if it is not limited by this dosage, doctors will prescribe increasing it to 1 mg weekly.

Also read: Ozempic And Celebrities: Who Used The Drug And Who Is Against It!

Side effects of Ozempic⚠️

Ozempic can cause common, mild to serious side effects. Some of the common side effects of Ozempic include nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, etc. But if you experience any serious side effects from taking Ozempic, it is advised that you should consult your doctor immediately.

Some of the serious side effects of Ozempic are pancreatitis, diabetic retinopathy, low blood sugar, inflammation in the gallbladder, allergies, etc.

Can Ozempic be used for weight loss?

Even though Ozempic is not prescribed for weight loss by the FDA, it is widely used as a weight loss medication. The weight loss properties of Ozempic come from its hunger-reducing properties.

In some cases, Ozempic is prescribed for weight management as an off-label prescription. Semaglutide such as Ozempic can induce insulin production in your body and thereby can curb unwanted hunger and appetite. This is how Ozempic works for weight loss.

Wegovy

Wegovy is another brand name for semaglutide which is prescribed for weight management. The drug is usually prescribed with a calorie-deficit diet and exercise regimen. There are certain conditions fulfilled to be prescribed for Wegovy. Some of these conditions are:

You should be an adult with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
Or you should have a BMI of 27 or higher and a weight-related health condition.
You should be a child who is 12 years or older and should have a BMI of 95th percentile or higher.

What is Wegovy used for?

Wegovy was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for chronic weight management in 2021 in the United States. Along with a healthy diet and exercise, it can be used to treat chronic obesity and overweight. Studies have shown that weekly intake of Wegovy can lead to 1.3 lbs of weight loss per week.

How does it work?

Like Ozempic, Wegovy is also a semaglutide variation. Being a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, Wegovy can mimic the production of a hormone that can reduce your appetite. This will lead to a feeling of fullness and satiety that can resist you from indulging in overeating. This in turn can lead to weight management in successful terms.

How do you take Wegovy?

It is prescribed that you should inject Wegovy into your stomach or thighs with a pen-like device. Make sure not to inject this medication into any muscles or veins. Doctors prescribe Wegovy to be injected one time each week.

There are no restrictions regarding whether you should eat food or not while injecting Wegovy. Wegovy injections usually contain 2.4mg of the medication that can treat chronic obesity and overweight.

Side effects of Wegovy⚠️

There can be mild and serious side effects while taking semaglutide. Be wary of the serious side effects and consult your doctor immediately. Some of the common side effects of Wegovy are nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, stomach flu, etc.

And some of the serious side effects include vision changes, thyroid tumors, gallbladder issues, headache, kidney problems, mood changes, fast heartbeats, etc.

Mounjaro

Mounjaro is a prescription medication that contains Tirzepatide, an antidiabetic drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is suggested to balance the blood sugar levels along with following a healthy diet and exercise.

Mounjaro also comes under the GLP-1 receptor agonist class and controls blood sugar levels by secreting insulin. The active component in Mounjaro, Tirzepatide, is a GIP analog that can both stimulate GLP-1 and GIP receptors.

What is Mounjaro used for?

Mounjaro or Tirzepatide was first approved in the United States in 2022. The Food and Drugs Administration named it a first-in-class medication. The uses of Mounjaro include balancing blood sugar levels in those who are affected with type 2 diabetes.

At the same time, experts suggest that the drug shouldn’t be used to treat type 1 diabetes and people who have pancreatitis.

How does it work?

The active component in Mounjaro is tirzepatide. It connects to the target of two hormones, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1). This process will induce the production of insulin and thereby manage your blood sugar levels.

How to take Mounjaro?

Doctors can prescribe you Mounjaro and it comes as an injectable solution in prefilled pens. This subcutaneous injection can be applied either on your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. In the beginning, the doctors will suggest you a dosage of 2.5mg once a week. If the blood sugar balance is not attained, this dosage will be increased to 5mg after 4 weeks.

Side effects of Mounjaro⚠️

Like in Ozempic and Wegovy, Mounjaro has also got mild and serious side effects. Some mild side effects of Mounjaro are given below:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation
Abdominal pain
Heartburn
Allergies

With Mounjaro, serious side effects can also happen. But these are not common. If you experience any sort of serious side effects from Mounjaro, contact your doctor immediately. Here is a list of serious side effects caused by Mounjaro:

Decrease in blood sugar levels
Pancreatitis
An extreme case of allergies
Kidney and dehydration problems
Symptoms of thyroid cancer
Gallbladder problems

Can Mounjaro be used for weight loss?

Even though studies have shown that Mounjaro can aid in weight loss, it is not prescribed for this purpose. But studies have shown that people who use Mounjaro lose between 12 lbs to 11 lbs on average.

Still, the FDA hasn’t approved this for weight loss. Like Ozempic and Wegovy, Mounjaro aids in weight loss by reducing your appetite and making you feel fuller for a long time.

Tirzepatide VS Semaglutide Weight Loss – The Bottom Line

On going through the article, you can understand that Ozempic and Wegovy are the brand variations of semaglutide while Mounjaro is a tirzepatide drug. Among these Ozempic and Mounjaro are prescribed for blood glucose regulation while Wegovy is suggested for weight loss.

But the current trend is to use these medications without proper prescription and that too for weight loss. This can cause serious side effects such as Ozempic face. Also using the drugs prescribed for type 2 diabetes for weight loss can cause a serious scarcity and can affect those people who have diabetes.