Ozempic
Brand-name weekly semaglutide FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes — the same molecule as Wegovy at different doses and indication.
Ozempic is semaglutide packaged for type 2 diabetes: weekly injections up to 2 mg, approved in 2017, with glucose control as the mission and weight loss as a famous side effect. Its cultural ubiquity made "Ozempic" shorthand for the entire GLP-1 category — including drugs that aren't semaglutide at all.
The practical distinction matters at the pharmacy and with insurance: Ozempic's approval is diabetes, so using it purely for weight is off-label, while Wegovy carries the weight-management indication and the higher 2.4 mg dose studied for it. Patients with both diabetes and obesity often end up on either, guided by coverage; patients without diabetes seeking weight loss are usually steered to Wegovy or alternatives with the proper indication.
This glossary entry is general information, not medical advice, and is written to be consistent with FDA prescribing information and primary trial publications as of its last review. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider for personal medical decisions.
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