No, even though both contain semaglutide, they are licensed for different uses and come in different devices and doses. Doctors may...

The SELECT trial showed semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy) reduced the risk of major heart problems in people with overweight or obesity and cardiovascular disease. Orlistat, while useful for modest weight loss, has not shown the same scale of cardiovascular benefits in large outcome studies. Two very different medicines Wegovy and Orlistat are both prescribed for weight management, but they work in completely different ways. Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that red

In the UK, coverage depends on NHS commissioning rather than insurance, and NICE now recommends Wegovy within specialist services. Saxenda has more limited NHS use. In private healthcare or in other countries, coverage varies by insurer, but newer guidance tends to prioritise Wegovy because of its stronger results. The UK context: NHS commissioning, not insurance Unlike in the United States, where health insurance policies determine which drugs are covered, the UK relies on t

Wegovy works directly on appetite signals in the brain, helping people feel full sooner and think less about food. Other medicines act...

Wegovy has shown sustained weight loss of around 15% at 68 weeks, and many participants maintained benefits at two years. Qsymia (not...

Yes, NICE guidance states that Wegovy can be offered to adults with a BMI over 35 and at least one weight-related condition, or sometimes with a BMI over 30 if criteria are met. Other drugs, like Saxenda or Mysimba, have similar but slightly different BMI thresholds, while diabetes drugs like Trulicity are prescribed on blood sugar criteria instead. Wegovy and its eligibility rules In the UK, NICE sets out clear criteria for who can be prescribed Wegovy. It is recommended for

Trials such as STEP-1 and SELECT showed Wegovy not only reduced weight but also improved blood pressure, cholesterol, and markers of heart health. Other medicines, like Saxenda, also improve some metabolic measures but to a smaller extent, and drugs like Orlistat mainly affect fat absorption rather than broad cardiometabolic outcomes. Why metabolic health matters Weight management is not just about the number on the scales. Many of the health risks linked to excess weight — i

Neither Wegovy nor Saxenda requires strict dietary rules. Both are prescribed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical...

In STEP trials, people using Wegovy started to see weight changes within the first 4–8 weeks, with maximum effects building over about a year. Ozempic, studied mainly for diabetes, also showed early improvements in blood sugar and weight within weeks, but average weight loss was smaller because of its lower doses. Early signs of progress One of the most common questions people ask is how soon results can be seen. In clinical trials of Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg), participants

Wegovy is taken once weekly via an injection pen, with doses stepped up over 16 weeks. Saxenda requires a daily injection, Mounjaro is a...

After first use, a pen can usually be kept below 30 °C (cap on, away from light) for up to 6 weeks — then it must be discarded, even if medicine remains. Unopened pens belong in the fridge; if they have been kept at room temperature on purpose, many packs allow a limited period out of the fridge — your leaflet sets the exact limit. Never freeze, never overheat (hot cars, radiators, direct sun), and never store with a needle attached. Why storage rules matter Wegovy (semagluti

Phentermine can produce modest, short-term weight loss, but it is not licensed in the UK for obesity treatment. In contrast, semaglutide...

Since both contain semaglutide, their side-effect profiles are similar — most commonly nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Wegovy uses a...

On the NHS, costs are set through commercial arrangements and are not always public, while in private practice the listed prices for...

In major STEP trials, Wegovy led to about 15% weight loss over 68 weeks. Contrave (called Mysimba in the UK) generally achieves around 6–9% across pivotal studies. This means semaglutide tends to provide greater weight reduction than naltrexone/bupropion combinations. Two very different approaches Although both Wegovy and Contrave are prescribed for weight management, they work in completely different ways. Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that reduces ap

Yes, Wegovy and metformin are often used together in people with type 2 diabetes, and no special dose adjustment is typically required. They work differently: Wegovy (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) reduces appetite, slows stomach emptying, and boosts insulin release, while metformin mainly reduces glucose production in the liver and improves insulin sensitivity. Why these medicines are combined Doctors frequently prescribe Wegovy (semaglutide) alongside metformin, particularly in

In a head-to-head trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine , people taking Wegovy lost on average about 15.8% of their body weight over 68 weeks compared with 6.4% for those on Saxenda (liraglutide). This makes Wegovy the more effective of the two for weight loss in most cases. Two GLP-1 medicines, one key difference Both Wegovy and Saxenda belong to the same class of medicines, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. They work by mimicking a natural hormone that redu

Wegovy contains semaglutide at a higher dose and is licensed for weight management, while Trulicity (dulaglutide) is prescribed for type 2 diabetes. Weight changes with dulaglutide are usually modest compared with the significant reductions seen in trials of semaglutide for obesity. Two GLP-1 medicines, two purposes Both Wegovy and Trulicity belong to the same broad group of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. They mimic a natural hormone in the body that helps reduce

They’re not the same product: both contain semaglutide, but Wegovy is the weight-management brand (higher dose) and Ozempic is the type-2-diabetes brand (lower dose ranges). Indications, dosing schedules, and pens differ, so switching should be guided by a prescriber. Same ingredient, different goals It’s true that both Wegovy and Ozempic are based on semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps regulate appetite, digestion, and blood sugar. But they were developed for di

For weight management, Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly) is the licensed option and generally achieves greater weight loss than the...