Wegovy® is the weight-loss brand of one of the most popular medicines around. And now there is even a Wegovy® pill — big news for people who do not want shots.
Here is the simple version.
The short version
- Wegovy® is a weekly shot for weight loss (and now a pill, too).
- The medicine inside is semaglutide.
- It is the same medicine as Ozempic®. Wegovy® is the weight-loss brand.
- In studies, people lost about 15% of their body weight.
- You need a prescription to get it.
What is it?
Wegovy® is made by Novo Nordisk. A doctor gives it to adults (and some teens) to help them lose weight and keep it off, when extra weight is a health risk.
It is the same medicine as Ozempic®. But Wegovy® is the brand made and dosed for weight loss.
What is it used for?
- Help adults and some teens lose weight when it is a health risk.
- Help keep weight off, with healthier eating and more movement.
- Lower the risk of some heart problems in certain adults.
How does it work?
After you eat, your gut makes a natural “full” signal called GLP-1. Wegovy® copies that signal.
Your stomach empties slower and you feel full sooner. So you want to eat less.
Shot or pill? How you take it
The classic Wegovy® is a once-a-week shot with a simple pen. You start low and go up over a few months.
There is now also a Wegovy® pill — a newer choice for people who would rather skip needles. Your provider can tell you which one fits you.
How it compares to the others
Five big names get mixed up a lot. Here is how they line up:
| Brand | Medicine | Made by | Shot or pill? | Mainly for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zepbound® | tirzepatide | Eli Lilly | Weekly shot | Weight loss |
| Mounjaro® | tirzepatide | Eli Lilly | Weekly shot | Type 2 diabetes |
| Ozempic® | semaglutide | Novo Nordisk | Weekly shot | Type 2 diabetes |
| Wegovy® (this one) | semaglutide | Novo Nordisk | Weekly shot (or a pill) | Weight loss |
| Foundayo™ | orforglipron | Eli Lilly | Daily pill | Weight loss |
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