Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Mounjaro®: What You Need to Know About Weight Loss Drugs

Weight management is a common concern in the United States, with nearly 1 in 3 Americans (30.7%) struggling with being overweight.

Additionally, more than 2 in 5 adults (42.4%) have obesity and about 1 in 11 adults (9.2%) have severe obesity.

Although weight loss and management can take time, there are certain medications that may help individuals maximize their results in a shorter period.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at three of the most common weight management drugs — Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro — to help you understand how they work.

Ozempic

Ozempic is an injectable glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) drug that is primarily used for treating type 2 diabetes in adults.

It contains the active ingredient semaglutide that helps the body regulate blood sugar levels and lowers the overall risk of events like heart attacks and strokes.

What is Ozempic used for?

Although Ozempic is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, it has recently gained popularity as a weight loss drug.

Research has found that the use of prescription drugs like Ozempic increased by over 111% from 2022 to 2023 due to its effectiveness in helping people lose weight.

It works by inducing a sensation of fullness, which suppresses an individual’s appetite and slows down the digestive system.

Ozempic also promotes insulin production in the pancreas, helping the body to manage blood sugar levels.

While Ozempic can be helpful for weight management, it’s important to note that most doctors prescribe its use alongside significant lifestyle changes — including getting more exercise, eating better, and avoiding alcohol.

Does Ozempic have any side effects?

Ozempic side effects are common and may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Skin reactions at the injection site
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) -- Ozempic itself doesn't cause hypoglycemia, but it can make the other medications more effective at lowering glucose. Be sure to discuss all medications you are taking with your doctor when considering Ozempic, as it may have adverse interactions with other drugs.

These side effects tend to be mild to moderate and may improve as the body gets used to the medication. In rare cases, Ozempic may cause severe side effects such as:

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Kidney and gallbladder issues
• Allergic reactions
• Thyroid tumors

If you experience persistent or severe side effects, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider. They will be able to adjust or stop your treatment as needed.

Is Ozempic FDA-approved?

Ozempic is an FDA-approved drug. However, it has only been approved for the management of type 2 diabetes.

A recommended weekly dose of 0.25 mg is advised for initial use. If the individual responds well to the injection, the dosage can be increased to 0.5 mg after one month.

The efficacy of Ozempic as a weight loss drug is still under evaluation.

What are the long-term effects of using Ozempic?

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic are generally safe for long-term use since they are primarily administered for lifelong chronic diseases.

However, certain groups of people shouldn’t use Ozempic because it can worsen existing medical conditions. People with one or more of the following should avoid Ozempic:

• Kidney or pancreatic disease
• Type 1 diabetes
• Diabetic retinopathy
• A family history of thyroid cancer
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)

More research is needed to confirm any other physical long-term effects of Ozempic.

How should Ozempic be administered?

Ozempic should be injected weekly with or without meals. It doesn’t matter what time you administer an Ozempic injection as long as you take it on the same day each week.

The FDA recommends injecting Ozempic into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It’s also recommended to use a different injection site each week to reduce the risk of skin irritation.

Before using Ozempic, be sure to check the liquid's appearance. It should be clear and colorless. If particles or discoloration can be seen, do not use the injection, as the medication may be spoiled.

How long does it take for Ozempic to work?

Current studies suggest that Ozempic may need to be taken for eight weeks or longer for visible results.

Your appetite and blood sugar levels will adjust immediately after taking your first dose of Ozempic, but remember: losing weight takes time.

It’s also crucial to maintain a regular exercise routine and eat a healthy diet for Ozempic to be most effective.

Wegovy

Wegovy is a medication that treats overweight or obese adults. It’s the only one out of the three drugs covered here that is primarily intended for weight management.

Wegovy is a GLP-1 agonist medication that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels. It relies on the same formula as Ozempic but has a different dosing schedule.

Wegovy is known as an effective weight-loss drug, with some studies showing that patients lost an average of 15% of their body mass while using Wegovy.

It’s also been shown to lower cardiovascular disease by reducing the risk of heart attacks, and stroke.

Which conditions does Wegovy treat?

Wegovy is primarily used to treat chronic overweight conditions. It works by mimicking the effects of the GLP-1 chemical in the body that regulates metabolism, appetite, and digestion.

This helps to control food intake, which can lead to weight loss over time.

Does Wegovy cause any side effects?

Wegovy may cause certain side effects, although not everyone experiences them. Common side effects may include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when used with antidiabetic medications
• Changes in vision
• Increased heart rate
• Dizziness
• Heartburn

More serious side effects are rare, but can occur. These may include:

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Gallbladder and kidney problems
• Allergic reactions
• Increased risk of developing thyroid cancer
• Mental health issues

If you experience any severe side effects or are concerned about them, be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Has Wegovy been approved by the FDA?

Wegovy has been approved by the FDA for use in chronic weight management. The FDA recommends a weekly injection of up to 2.4 mg, administered in the abdomen, upper arm, or thigh.

In addition to the injection, the FDA also recommends following a reduced-calorie diet and increasing physical activity when using Wegovy.

Wegovy should not be used alongside any other GLP-1 drugs because this increases gastrointestinal discomfort that may cause long-term health issues.

As of December 2022, Wegovy is also approved for teens aged 12 and up who require chronic weight management.

How should I use Wegovy?

Wegovy is a single-use pre-filled injection that should be administered weekly and under the skin. You can administer the injection at any time as long as it’s on the same day each week.

The recommended starting dosage is 0.25 mg per week for one month. In the second month, the dosage can be increased to 0.5 mg and 1 mg in the third.

During your fourth month of use, a higher dose can be taken, and the amount can be increased to 1.7 mg. You can start taking the maximum dosage of 2.4 mg on the fifth month of use.

The FDA recommends varying injection sites each week to avoid skin irritation. Wegovy may be taken with or without food.

Are there any long-term side effects associated with Wegovy?

Since Wegovy is a relatively new medication, there is limited information on its long-term effects.

More research and continued monitoring is needed to better understand how prolonged use of Wegovy impacts the body.

How long until I see results from using Wegovy?

In clinical trials, patients started seeing weight loss results after four weeks of using Wegovy. However, it may take several months before results become visible.

On average, individuals tend to lose around 10%-15% of their body weight over the course of a year of Wegovy treatments.

Remember that the use of Wegovy is prescribed alongside eating a healthy diet and regular exercise. It’s important to incorporate these lifestyle changes into your daily routine to maximize your weight loss results.

Mounjaro

Mounjaro is an injectable medication that treats type 2 diabetes in adults. Similar to Ozempic, it helps the body to regulate and maintain healthy insulin levels.

The medication works by acting on two receptors in the body — GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) — that control glucose (sugar).

Mounjaro can then stimulate insulin production in the pancreas while suppressing the hormones that raise blood sugar levels (glucagon).

What is Mounjaro used for?

Mounjaro is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults, but it has gained popularity as a weight loss medication, similar to Ozempic.

While acting on the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, Mounjaro may also cause a suppressed appetite and a slowed digestive process which helps you feel fuller for longer. Over time, this can lead to reduced food intake which will affect weight.

Can Mounjaro cause any side effects?

Mounjaro can cause mild to moderate side effects that may improve as the body adjusts to the medication. The following side effects are common when using Mounjaro:

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Acute kidney issues
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Gallbladder problems
• Increased risk of developing thyroid tumors

Has the FDA approved Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is currently approved by the FDA as a targeted treatment for type 2 diabetes. The FDA recommends supplementing this treatment with a healthy diet and exercise.

The recommended starting dosage is 2.5 mg, injected under the skin on a weekly basis. The dosage can be increased to 2.5 mg increments every four weeks until the maximum of 15 mg is reached.

Mounjaro should be injected in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It’s also recommended to vary the injection site each week to avoid adverse skin reactions.

You can administer Mounjaro before or after meals.

Does Mounjaro cause any long-term effects?

Mounjaro is the first dual-receptor medication and has not been in use for very long. This means that more research is needed to come to a conclusion about the drug’s long-term effects.

When does Mounjaro start to work?

Research suggests that Mounjaro must be administered for up to 28 weeks before significant results are visible. Mounjaro has also been shown to help individuals reach specific weight loss goals up to two months sooner than similar drugs.

While the drug will start to suppress your appetite right away, it may take a while before you lose any weight.

It’s also important to keep in mind that the FDA recommends using Mounjaro alongside regular exercise and following a healthy diet for the best results.

How Do Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro Compare for Weight Management?

Although each drug is used for weight management, they are slightly different from one another. In the table below, we’ve highlighted the key differences.

Wegovy, Ozempic, or Mounjaro: Which Drug is Right for My Condition?

Choosing the right weight management drug depends on several factors and the decision should be made in consultation with a medical professional.

It’s important to consider the following factors:

• Your overall health, medical history, and pre-existing health conditions
• Your body mass index (BMI)
• Individual weight loss goals
• Lifestyle factors like diet and exercise habits
• Side effects of each drug

Different weight management drugs can affect your body in various ways, depending on the abovementioned factors.

When consulting with your doctor, it’s important to be honest about your weight management goals. This helps them to make a more accurate recommendation to assist you in reaching your desired weight.

Where Can I Learn More About Weight Loss and Weight Management Techniques?

If you’re struggling with weight management, LifeMD can help you reach your goals.

The LifeMD Weight Management Program combines groundbreaking medications, lab testing, and the knowledge of leading clinicians to create a highly effective — and truly sustainable — weight-loss approach.

Healthcare professionals can prescribe weight management medications — like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro — for you, if necessary and if you qualify.