Semaglutide is a drug thats available in several different products, includingOzempicand Wegovy, both injectable medications.

This helps keep your blood sugar levels stable.

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BMI is a dated, flawed measure.

A close up of a pharmacist’s hand holding a box of a 0.25 mg Wegovy injection medication

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GLP-1 causes your body to release insulin, suppresses your appetite, and makes you feel full for longer.

These actions together can help lead to weight loss.

Ozempic is primarily meant to treat high blood sugar levels associated withtype 2 diabetes.

Lindsay Cook, PharmD

Off-label means a drug is prescribed for a purpose other than those it is approved to treat.

How Effective Is Semaglutide?

Average weight loss at 68 weeks after starting Wegovy was 15.8%.

Wegovy decreased weight in these individuals by an average of 14.9%.

If your symptoms do not lessen or they seem severe, let your healthcare provider know right away.

This is because GLP-1 agonists have been found to cause these tumors in rats and mice.

They are not interchangeable products.

Who Would Benefit From Semaglutide?

The following are the FDA-approved criteria for using Wegovy.

The study population included adults who met the above criteria.

Wegovy should be used in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Many habits and lifestyle choices promote a healthy overall body composition and blood sugar levels.

They can help make it easier to eat healthy and understand different interventions that aid in weight loss.

However, GLP-1 agonists are most effective when combined with diet improvements and increased physical activity.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Ozempic prescribing information.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Wegovy prescribing information.

2021;38(6):2821-2839.

Rubino DM, Greenway FL, Khalid U, et al.

Garvey WT, Batterham RL, Bhatta M, et al.

2022;28(10):2083-2091. doi:10.1038/s41591-022-02026-4

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About the National Diabetes Prevention Program.