Difference between Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Saxenda explained

Since the popularity surrounding semaglutide and other weight-loss drugs came to fruition, many people have had questions about the medications and how they differ.

After numerous celebrities came out in support and also against Ozempic, the drug has been in the spotlight more than ever.

But what’s the difference between the main players in the market?

The GLP-1 agonists are Ozempic, Saxenda, Wegovy and Mounjaro which work to reduce your appetite so that you won’t feel hungry and therefore won’t eat as much food.

But apparently, they aren’t all made the same and choosing the right one is essential.

Here’s what you need to know.

The drugs are all different (Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Wegovy (a semaglutide)

Wegovy, which you've probably already heard of, is a semaglutide injection which has been approved for weight management.

It works through its GLP-1 receptor agonist feature which mimics a hormone that targets areas of the brain that suppresses your appetite, leading to reduced hunger and food consumed.

Unlike Ozempic, Wegovy is approved for weight management even though they both contain semaglutide.

However, they do have different dosages and recommendations when prescribed.

Ozempic is a hot topic (Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Ozempic (a semaglutide)

We’ve all heard about Ozempic and the giant list of A-listers who have been using it for months or years, but what’s the difference between this injection and the others?

So, Ozempic also contains semaglutide, however it’s important to know that it’s only approved to treat type 2 diabetes.

It is not a legitimate weight-loss management drug and is not FDA approved for this use.

This drug enhances insulin secretion but lowers glucagon secretion to lower a person’s blood sugar levels without risking hypoglycaemia, a dangerous condition which can cause seizures.

It can also cause other side effects.

Other drugs provide different results (Getty Stock Images)

Mounjaro (a tirzepatide)

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which is a little different from Ozempic and Wegovy as it's a medication which has been recently approved for weight loss management.

It was formerly only approved to be used to treat type 2 diabetes like Ozempic, but unlike the popular jab, this one is actually approved to aid in dropping some pounds.

A key difference between Mounjaro and the others is that it targets both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which are two appetite-regulating hormones.

So, it’s basically a dual action drug which also improves blood sugar control and supports weight loss.

Saxenda (a liraglutide)

You may not have heard of Saxenda, but this is an approved weight loss management drug that regulates hunger and calorie intake through its GLP-1 receptor agonist (like Wegovy and Ozempic).

This causes it to lower the hunger receptors in the brain and stops you from eating as much.

Instead of being injected weekly and providing better weight loss results like semaglutide in Ozempic and Wegovy, or tirzepatide in Mounjaro, this is actually associated with smaller weight loss than the other three.