Introduction
If weight loss is one topic you’re keeping tabs on, it’s easy to get confused between semaglutide and Ozempic. Both are big buzz words right now, and you’ve got people from all walks of life singing their praises for them. From celebrities to business tycoons, more and more people are discovering the benefits of taking them.
Are they the same? Are they different? What makes them unique? You may also ask yourself, ‘Should I take semaglutide or Ozempic? Whatever your reasons may be, it’s important to have ample understanding of what both are to appreciate their individual strengths.
In this article, we aim to define both to create a clear distinction between the two. You can confidently distinguish one from the other and you’ll have a better decision on using semaglutide or Ozempic.
What is Semaglutide?
The key to comparing semaglutide and Ozempic is to have a clear understanding of what each one is, what it does, and how it works.
There’s a hormone in our gut, particularly in the lower gastrointestinal tract, called GLP-1. Whenever we eat, GLP-1 triggers the pancreas to secrete insulin, which reduces glucose in our bloodstream. GLP-1 also helps sweep glucose into the body’s cells, which the body can either use or store as future energy.
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, or a GLP-1 Ra. It treats either type 2 diabetes or obesity. Basically, semaglutide acts like a doppelganger of GLP-1, copying the same actions such as triggering insulin secretion and glucose movement.
Below is a comprehensive description of its chief capabilities and how it works in the body.
How Semaglutide Works
Semaglutide binds to and activates GLP-1 receptors found in the pancreas’ beta cells, similar to how GLP-1 works. When blood sugar levels are high, the pancreas releases blood insulin to reduce the glucose in the blood after meals.
Inhibition of glucagon
Another process under semaglutide’s mechanism of action is the inhibition of glucagon. This elevates blood sugar levels and stimulates the liver to release stored glucose. As semaglutide prevents the release of glucagon, it controls the body’s overall blood sugar levels.
Slows down gastric emptying
Studies show that semaglutide delayed digestion or gastric emptying, resulting in people feeling full long after eating. Participants retained as much as 37% of a meal in their stomach even if it had already been four hours. Because people taking semaglutide felt full for longer, they were not as frequently hungry, reducing their appetite and food intake.
Reduction of appetite
As GLP-1 receptors are located in both the periphery and central nervous system, the binding of semaglutide triggers changes in behavior. In particular, the drug reduced food cravings, especially that of fatty foods, in participants suffering from obesity.
As it curbed a desire for food, so did it increase dopamine reward signaling. Dopamine is a kind of neurotransmitter in the brain that triggers feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, motivation, and learning.
Semaglutide Approval
It was in 2012 when Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk discovered and developed semaglutide. At the time, two other GLP-1 Ras already existed: exenatide and liraglutide.
Fast forward to five years later, and the U.S. FDA approves semaglutide brand Ozempic, used to treat type 2 diabetes.
Depending on the brand, semaglutide may either be in a pre-filled injectable pen format or in a pill format. The injectable comes in different doses while the pill format comes in a foil pack of 10 tablets. The injectable semaglutide must be administered once weekly subcutaneously (under the skin) while the tablet must be taken once daily.
Uses and Benefits
Various studies and trials have been investigating semaglutide’s therapeutic applications, and with promising results. Studies suggest it protects the liver from disease or injury, reduces liver fat, liver inflammation, fibrosis, and tissue scarring. These are all common characteristics of the liver disease non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
Semaglutide may potentially also be beneficial to obese women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS. Research found that semaglutide injections once a week helped a majority of participants improve their body weight. Their insulin levels were also reduced and fasting blood glucose levels were regulated.
Semaglutide Safety and Efficacy
Semaglutide is generally safe, although as with any medication, it comes with a host of different side effects and warnings.
Common side effects
The most common adverse effects of subcutaneous semaglutide include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, or abdominal pain. Healthcare providers may start you on small doses and work your way up to bigger doses to help manage symptoms.
Serious side effects
Semaglutide injections’ more serious side effects include allergic reactions, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), pancreatitis, kidney problems, and thryroid c-cell tumors.
- Allergic reactions: Consult your doctor as soon as possible if you develop any allergic reactions. These include itching or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat; rashes; extreme dizziness; or difficulty breathing.
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): When used in combination with other anti-diabetic medicines, semaglutide can potentially trigger hypoglycemia, a condition wherein the blood sugar is lower than normal. Hypoglycemia can trigger shaking, perspiration, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, a faster heart rate, as well as extreme hunger pangs.
- Pancreatitis: Although less common, one of semaglutide’s serious potential side effects is acute pancreatitis. This is a conition wherein the pancreas becomes swollen over a short period.
- Kidney problems: A 2021 study reported that there had been cases of acute kidney injury in chronic kidney disease patients taking semaglutide. Researchers believe that the weight loss caused by semaglutide may have contributed to the patient’s decline in kidney function.
- Thyroid c-cell tumors: In a study involving lab rats, researchers found these developed thyroid tumors or medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) after receiving semaglutide. Despite these results, it is still unknown whether semaglutide may also potentially cause the same in humans.
What is Ozempic?
At this stage, you may have already figured out the key difference between semaglutide and Ozempic. As mentioned above, semaglutide is a type of medication that helps people deal with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Ozempic, meanwhile, is the name of semaglutide’s brand targeted towards type 2 diabetes. Basically, semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic.
Using Ozempic
Ozempic comes in a pre-filled injectable pen. It must be injected subcutaneously in three different areas: your 1) abdomen, 2) thigh, or 3) upper arm. Make sure that you are not injecting into a muscle or vein, as it can trigger serious reactions. Watch out for erratic blood sugar levels, infection, or even organ damage, the organs being the liver or kidneys.
It is best to use a different injection site with every injection, however, if you want to use the same injection site, pick a different spot in that area.
You can take Ozempic with or without meals at any time of the day. For desired results, Novo Nordisk notes that semaglutide is best taken along with a balanced diet and exercise.
Safety and efficacy
A 2023 study examined the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous semaglutide if with varying dosages and with and without lifestyle interventions.
Participants in the group without lifestyle interventions had a higher incidence of hypoglycemia than in the group with lifestyle interventions. In addition, semaglutide injections also had notable benefits on weight loss as well as on heart health.
As for Ozempic’s side effects, it shared the same ones as mentioned in the previous section on semaglutide’s adverse effects.
Uses and Benefits
A study investigated the effectiveness and safety of semaglutide in treating type 2 diabetes. Some of the participants took semaglutide, while others took other diabetes medications.
The study’s results showed that semaglutide was able to lower blood sugar levels more successfully than other diabetes drugs. Apart from treating type 2 diabetes, Ozempic also reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular problems like heart attack or stroke.
Cost of Ozempic
As of 2024, Ozempic costs approximately USD 800 per month if purchased without insurance. Wegovy is priced around USD 1,350 monthly, while Rybelsus costs about USD 809 for a 30-tablet supply. Prices may vary based on location and insurance coverage
Alternatives
Novo Nordisk has another product aimed at fighting type 2 diabetes: Rybelsus. The key difference is that it comes in pill format.
Semaglutide, meanwhile, faces competition from other GLP-1 Ras in the market like weight loss drugs Saxenda, Zepbound, Mounjaro, and Trulicity. These use different active ingredients, from liraglutide and tirzepatide to dulaglutide.
The key difference between semaglutide and liraglutide is that liraglutide works slightly less effectively in reducing blood sugar levels.
As for tirzepatide and dulaglutide, tirzepatide was found to be more effective than semaglutide for weight loss. Dulaglutide, on the other hand, was less effective than in improving glycemic control and weight management.
When determining the best product to deal with type 2 diabetes or obesity, seek the expert advice of your healthcare provider.
Conclusion
In spite their glaring differences, some people may be puzzled about the differences between semaglutide and Ozempic.
So, are semaglutide and Ozempic the same? No. Semaglutide is the active ingredient, the generic name of Ozempic. It is classified as a GLP-1 Ra, a drug that mimics the gut-based hormone GLP-1’s ability to trigger the release of blood sugar-regulating hormone insulin. Ozempic, meanwhile, is a brand targeted towards type 2 diabetes.
If you are considering taking Ozempic or semaglutide’s two other brands, Wegovy and Rybelsus, it is best to seek the guidance of your healthcare provider.
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