317-643-4444   8902 N Meridian Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46260

   317-567-9100   10475 Crosspoint Blvd, Suite 315, Indianapolis, IN 46256

The differences between Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro

Premier Weight Loss dispenses three medications for medically qualified patients: Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. While these medications are very similar, some key differences are important to address.

Ozempic is classified as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (better known as a “GLP-1 RA”) and was developed by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk in 2012 and released to the public in December 2017. The active compound in Ozempic is semaglutide, and it was designed to aid in lowering blood sugar in patients with diabetes. Like other GLP-1 RAs on the market, Ozempic has the ability to reduce blood sugar, improve insulin sensitivity, and has been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk by up to 20% in patients with diabetes. Ozempic is FDA-approved for diabetes, but the active compound, semaglutide, is very effective in promoting weight loss, leading to providers prescribing the medication “off-label” (as is customary practice for a variety of commonplace medications in medicine) and to the development of Wegovy

Wegovy is a medication that is essentially identical to Ozempic. There are only 2 key differences between the medications: 1) their FDA-approved uses and 2) slight changes in dosing/pricing. Wegovy is also a medication developed by Novo Nordisk and was released to the public in June 2021. Like Ozempic, the active ingredient in Wegovy is also semaglutide, just at slightly higher doses (available in 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg, and 2.4mg doses), resulting in higher price points when compared to Ozempic. The only other difference is that while Ozempic is FDA-approved for diabetes, Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss. But whether you are on Ozempic or you are on Wegovy, you are getting the same active ingredient – semaglutide – and therefore the same benefits – blood sugar control, improved insulin sensitivity, delayed digestion, reduced portion sizes, decreased appetite, improved satiety signaling, reduced cardiovascular risk, etc. Due to things like social media and news stories regarding these medications, “Ozempic” has become synonymous with weight loss. Still, it is important to note that Wegovy will provide the same benefits as it is the same active ingredient.

Mounjaro is also classified as a GLP-1 RA. Still, it also has an additive known as gastric inhibitory peptide receptor agonist (better known as “GIP”), making it the first dual-peptide medication on the market to target diabetes and obesity. Mounjaro was developed by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and was released to the public in May 2022. In contrast to Ozempic and Wegovy, the active compound in Mounjaro is tirzepatide contains GLP-1 RA and GIP RA. The GIP additive has been shown to enhance the efficacy of the GLP-1 component, producing a synergistic effect that can reduce body weight by more than 20% and significantly improve blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity. It can improve lipid metabolism (more on this here). Mounjaro is currently FDA-approved for diabetes but is anticipated to be approved for weight loss by the end of 2023. While Ozempic and Wegovy are wonderful and effective options for weight loss and diabetes control, Mounjaro is more effective than Ozempic in lowering hemoglobin A1C in patients with diabetes, as well as more effective in weight loss in early studies comparing semaglutide and tirzepatide.

Whether on Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro, you can successfully lose weight. When you meet with one of our providers at Premier Weight Loss, we will determine what option works best for you and counsel you on important steps and guidelines to ensure you are losing weight safely and sustainably.

Sources:

  1. https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/Articles/2023/08/10/14/29/SELECT-Semaglutide-Reduces-Risk-of-MACE-in-Adults-With-Overweight-or-Obesity
  2. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9268041/
  4. https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/tirzepatide-demonstrated-significant-and-superior-weight-loss#:~:text=Across%20SURMOUNT%2D3%20and%20SURMOUNT,for%20the%20efficacy%20estimandi.
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8987449/
  6. https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/eli-lillys-tirzepatide-passes-2nd-obesity-weight-loss-trial-gunning-fda-nod-2023
  7. https://www.novocare.com/diabetes/products/ozempic/explaining-list-price.html
  8. https://www.novocare.com/obesity/products/wegovy/let-us-help/explaining-list-price.html
  9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3538391/
  10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3538391/table/tbl1/?report=objectonly

Premier Weight Loss: Your Weight Loss Experts in Carmel, Fishers & Indianapolis

8902 N Meridian St #100, Indianapolis, IN 46260 | (317) 643-4444
10475 Crosspoint Blvd Suite 315, Indianapolis, IN 46256 | (317) 567-9100

Weight Loss Programs | Medical Weight Loss | Nutrition Counseling

Serving Carmel, Fishers, Indianapolis, and surrounding areas. 

Premier Weight Loss: Your Weight Loss Experts in Carmel, Fishers & Indianapolis

8902 N Meridian St #100
Indianapolis, IN 46260
(317) 643-4444

10475 Crosspoint Blvd Suite 315
Indianapolis, IN 46256
(317) 567-9100

Weight Loss Programs | Medical Weight Loss | Nutrition Counseling

Serving Carmel, Fishers, Indianapolis, and surrounding areas. 

© 2025 · Premier Weight of Indiana, LLC

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