Semaglutide vs. Ozempic: What’s the difference?

In this article:

• What is semaglutide?
• What’s the difference between semaglutide and Ozempic?
• Other forms of semaglutide
• Compare semaglutide brand names
• What is compounded semaglutide?
• Insurance coverage for semaglutide

In this article

• What is semaglutide?
• What’s the difference between semaglutide and Ozempic?
• Other forms of semaglutide
• Compare semaglutide brand names
• What is compounded semaglutide?
• Insurance coverage for semaglutide

In the last few years, a new class of medications called GLP-1s captured the attention of celebrities and the public alike. Ozempic, an injectable GLP-1 approved to regulate blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes, headed up the surge in popularity. That’s because Ozempic’s side effect of appetite suppression triggered demand for off-label use as a weight loss drug. Still, some people may be confused about what Ozemdopic is, especially since it also goes by the name semaglutide. If you are considering semaglutide versus Ozempic for weight loss or diabetes, it’s essential to know the differences before discussing them with your healthcare provider.

Here’s everything you need to know about semaglutide versus Ozempic, including your options for getting a prescription covered by insurance. 

What is semaglutide?

Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It works by telling the body to release insulin, which lowers blood sugar. But semaglutide also slows down stomach emptying. “You feel full longer and physically cannot eat as much,” explains Christina Pramudji Dawe, MD, the medical director of LifeSculpt by ChristiMD in Houston, Texas. “It also helps reduce your appetite and decrease food cravings.” As a result, people may find it easier to make lifestyle changes that lead to weight loss.

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in three drugs currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Specifically, it is the active ingredient in the following FDA-approved medications from Novo Nordisk: 

• Ozempic
• Wegovy
• Rybelsus

You might also see advertisements for compounded semaglutide, which is not FDA approved for safety and effectiveness. (We’ll explain more about compounded semaglutide below.)

RELATED: How long can you take semaglutide?

What’s the difference between semaglutide and Ozempic?

The difference between semaglutide and Ozempic is in name alone. They share the same ingredient and common side effects. “Semaglutide is the generic or ‘no name’ drug, whereas Ozempic is the brand name of semaglutide,” says Neil D’Souza, MD, ABOM, a board-certified emergency medicine and obesity medicine physician. “It is similar to how there is acetaminophen (generic) and Tylenol (brand name of acetaminophen).”

Semaglutide that’s sold under the branded name Ozempic has three FDA-approved uses:

• To be used along with diet and exercise to improve glycemic control (blood sugar management) in adults with Type 2 diabetes
• To lower the risk of major cardiovascular disease events, such as a heart attack, in people diagnosed with both Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
• To  reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease and cardiovascular death in adults diagnosed with both Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Ozempic is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss, but it is not an approved weight loss treatment.

RELATED: Ozempic side effects in females

Other forms of semaglutide

There are two other FDA-approved forms of semaglutide: Wegovy and Rybelsus.

Wegovy

Wegovy and Ozempic are both once-weekly semaglutide injections. The key differences are in their FDA approvals and dosage ranges. 

While Ozempic is approved for Type 2 diabetes, Wegovy is approved for weight loss in people ages 12 years and older with obesity and in adults who are overweight with a weight-related health condition. Wegovy is now also approved to reduce cardiovascular (CV) event risk in people with CV disease who have obesity or are overweight. In 2025, Wegovy was also approved for the treatment of noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a form of liver disease. However, continued approval depends on the drug’s performance in current clinical trials. 

Wegovy’s maintenance dosage is 1.7 milligrams (mg) or 2.4 mg per week, compared to Ozempic’s dosage of 0.5 mg to 2 mg per week.

RELATED: What is the maximum dose of Ozempic?

Rybelsus

In a comparison of Rybelsus versus Ozempic, the key differences are their forms and dosages. Rybelsus is a once-daily tablet, whereas Ozempic is a once-weekly injection. Rybelsus tablets are FDA approved for glycemic control (blood sugar levels) in Type 2 diabetes. It is not approved for Ozempic’s other uses, such as reducing the risk of heart failure. Rybelsus also has a higher dose than Ozempic:  7–14 mg once daily versus 0.5 mg to 2 mg once weekly. 

Compare semaglutide brand names
	Ozempic	Wegovy	Rybelsus
What is it approved to treat?	– Type 2 diabetes  – Reduce risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, and death – Reduce risk of sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease, and cardiovascular death	– Weight management in people ages 12 and older with obesity and in adults with obesity or who are overweight with a weight-related health condition – Reduce risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, and death – Noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)	– Type 2 diabetes
What form does it come in?	Subcutaneous injection	Subcutaneous injection	Oral tablet
What are the standard dosages?	0.5 mg to 2 mg per week	1.7 mg or 2.4 mg per week	7–14 mg once per day
What ages is it approved to treat?	Adults	Adults and children aged 12 years and older	Adults
Average monthly cost without insurance*	$1,387 per 1, 3 mL prefilled 2mg/3ml pen (0.25mg or 0.5mg/dose) multidose pen	$1,837 per 4, 0.75 mL prefilled 2.4mg/0.75 mL pen	$1,397 per 30, 7 mg tablets
How to save	Ozempic coupons	Wegovy coupons	Rybelsus coupons

*Average cost at time of publication. Drug prices fluctuate and vary by pharmacy and location. 

What is compounded semaglutide?

Compounded semaglutide is a customized version of semaglutide medication produced by compounding pharmacies. In most cases, custom-mixed drugs are prescribed in special situations, such as when a person is allergic to one of the components of the FDA-approved drug. Even then, patients need to understand that compounded drugs are not FDA approved, as they have not undergone rigorous trials for safety and effectiveness. This includes compounded semaglutide. 

The FDA temporarily allowed the sale of compounded semaglutide when the popularity of Ozempic led to a drug shortage. In February 2025, the FDA declared that the shortage was over. Since then, pharmacies have been told to stop producing compounded semaglutide. 

It’s unclear whether or for how long compounded semaglutide products will remain on the market. Anyone currently taking compounded semaglutide can seek medical advice from a prescriber about how to switch from compounded semaglutide to Ozempic or Wegovy. These brand-name drugs may be covered by insurance, unlike compounded semaglutide, and have also undergone rigorous clinical trials to prove their safety and effectiveness.  

Insurance coverage for semaglutide

Insurance coverage for semaglutide products (Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus) varies by plan. In general, insurance will not cover the drug unless it is prescribed for one of its FDA-approved indications. For example, insurance is unlikely to cover Ozempic for weight loss, but some insurance plans cover Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes. 

RELATED: Does Kaiser cover Ozempic?

Medicare and Medicaid coverage also varies by plan formulary and the reason for taking the medication. Again, coverage is only likely when the GLP-1 drug is prescribed for an FDA-approved use. Prescription drug plans vary, so the best way to know if your health plan covers a semaglutide prescription is to look at your drug formulary or contact your plan provider.

Save on weight loss medications

Bottom line

Remember, Ozempic always contains semaglutide, but not all semaglutide is sold under the name Ozempic. If you are considering Ozempic or another semaglutide product, it’s important to seek medical advice from a healthcare professional familiar with your medical conditions and health history. Only a provider familiar with your health and other medications can recommend which drug may work best for you.