Semaglutide vs wegovy
In recent years, the number of people living with diabetes has been on the rise. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the number of people with diabetes has increased from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014. This increase has led to a greater demand for diabetes treatments, which has resulted in the development of new medications such as semaglutide and Wegovy. In this passage, we will compare the two medications.
What is semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a medication that was first found to be used to treat type 2 diabetes, but now is becoming increasingly popular to manage weight loss even in patients that do not have type 2 diabetes. It is an injectable medication that works by increasing the production of insulin and reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver. Semaglutide is similar in structure to a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is produced naturally in the body. It has
been approved for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 2017.
What is wegovy?
Wegovy, on the other hand, is a relatively new medication that was approved by the FDA in June 2021 for the treatment of obesity. It is also an injectable medication that works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, but at a higher dose than semaglutide. Wegovy is derived from semaglutide and is a more potent version of the medication. It is administered once a week and is designed to help people lose weight.
SEMAGLUTIDE VS WEGOVY. HOW DO THEY COMPARE?
One key difference is dosing
While both semaglutide and Wegovy are derived from the same molecule and have similar mechanisms of action, there are some differences between the two medications. One key difference between the two medications is the dose. Semaglutide is typically administered once a week at a dose of 1 mg, while Wegovy is administered once a week at a higher dose of 2.4 mg. This higher dose is intended to help people lose weight more effectively.
Both medications are effective for weight loss
Despite their differences, both medications have been shown to be effective in improving blood glucose levels and reducing body weight. In clinical trials, semaglutide has been shown to lower HbA1c (a measure of blood glucose levels over time) by up to 1.5% and reduce body weight by up to 15%. In comparison, Wegovy has been shown to lower body weight by up to 17.4% in clinical trials.
Both medications also have some potential side effects.
Common side effects of semaglutide include nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. More serious side effects include pancreatitis and thyroid tumors. Similarly, common side effects of Wegovy include nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. More serious side effects include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and kidney problems.
Cost of Semaglutide VS Wegovy
In terms of cost, both semaglutide and Wegovy can be expensive. However, it is worth noting that Wegovy is currently only approved for the treatment of obesity, while semaglutide has been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes for several years. This means that insurance coverage may be more likely for semaglutide than for Wegovy, which could affect the overall cost for patients.