Canadians are finally getting their hands on Novo Nordisk’s new weight loss medication. The drug was officially released on Monday, despite being approved in Canada since 2021, and offers promise for those struggling with obesity. But what are the differences between Wegovy and Ozempic?
In addition to weight loss to improve health, Wegovy has been shown to improve and reduce cardiovascular events in people with a prior history. The company’s website states that Wegovy’s weekly injections begin with a dose of 0.25 mg of the active ingredient (Semaglutide) and gradually increase to a maintenance dose (2.4 mg) once a week. Wegovy has also been approved to help with chronic weight management, and is given as a higher dose once a week. Ozempic, on the other hand, is primarily approved to treat Type 2 diabetes.
The most common adverse reactions to Wegovy are nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Other side effects include constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, indigestion, stomach upset, dizziness, bloating, gas, nausea, stomach flu, and heartburn.
The cost of treatment for Wegovy is estimated to be around C$4,700 per patient per year, according to the Journal of Health Technologies. Because the drug only works for a limited amount of time, people may need to take Wegovy for an indefinite amount of time.
