One is for obesity, the other for diabetes, but both can help with weight loss. Understand what is different between Wegovy and Ozempic
Recently, Anvisa, the national agency for health surveillance, approved a weekly injectable drug dedicated exclusively to the treatment of obesity. This is Wegovy, the active ingredient of which is semaglutide. The substance is also present in Ozempic, a medicine present in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Despite this, it has been used for weight loss in recent years.
Semaglutide is an analogue of the hormone GLP-1, synthesized in the intestine. It has as one of its functions to reduce the amount of sugar in the blood after meals and to signal to the brain that the stomach is quenched. The effect of the hormone produced by our body lasts only a few minutes, while that of semaglutide lasts for a week, reducing the patient’s hunger in the long term.
Wegovy versus Ozempic
Wegovy has received approval from Anvisa, but there is no set date yet for its availability in Brazilian pharmacies. Ozempic is already available on the market. Importantly, despite having the same active ingredient, only Wegovy is approved for the treatment of obesity and overweight in Brazil.
According to Gabriella Mendes, endocrinologist at Anchieta Hospital (Taguatinga-DF), part of the Kora Saúde group, the use of Ozempic in the treatment of obesity occurs off-label. “This term means that there is no trace of that recommendation in the package insert, but its use is supported by robust and reliable scientific studies, which is a frequent practice in medicine,” says the doctor.
According to the endocrinologist, for the efficacy of semaglutide in the treatment of obesity, a dose of 2.4 mg per week, which is present in Wegovy, is required. Ozempic is only available in doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg. That is, for it to have the same effect as Wegovy, more than one application is needed. “So the arrival of the new drug will be important,” explains Gabriella.
Precautions and contraindications
Ozempic is a safe drug, but the patient should be evaluated by a doctor to check for any contraindications or specific precautions. “The studies demonstrate the safety and efficacy in a specific population that has an indication for the use of the medicine. Therefore, it must only be intended for that profile of people in which there was a study,” says the professional.
Using the drug without medical supervision can lead to a number of health risks. This is because some basic treatments are often not taken into consideration. Furthermore, the patient is still at risk of suffering from side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, reflux and gas. Fortunately, it is possible to minimize them with some precautions indicated by the doctor.
Furthermore, due to the chronic nature of obesity, patients who use semaglutide without medical supervision and indiscriminately may regain weight after stopping treatment. “Weight loss cannot be based only on the use of drugs. It is necessary for patients to change their lifestyle by adapting their diet and creating an exercise routine”, concludes the specialist.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
