Ozempic and Wegovy are both forms of semaglutide, a drug originally developed for diabetes.
OEL SAGET/AFP via Getty ImagesOzempic and Wegovy are the brand names used by the drug manufacturer, Novo Nordisk.
Tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro for diabetes, is a similar "game-changer" drug, and has been approved for weight loss under the name Zepbound.
Ozempic has become the byword for semaglutide and similar drugs that cause weight loss (known as GLP-1s), regardless of which brand a person is taking or why.
They work by suppressing appetite, but side effects such as muscle loss, nausea, and diarrhea have been reported, and it's common to regain the weight after stopping treatment.
Persons:
SAGET, Ozempic
Organizations:
Getty, Novo Nordisk, Semaglutide, FDA
Locations:
AFP