Ozempic vs. Wegovy: What to Know About Weight Loss Injections

Chanel Augustus • March 27, 2023

Back in the 1990s, a now-banned weight loss drug called “Fen-Phen” was all the rage. Today it’s Ozempic and Wegovy.

Similar to drugs used for weight loss in the past, little is known about the side effects and long-term efficiency, as well as impacts when a weight loss drug is first FDA-approved. Let’s dive into some newly popular medications used for weight loss vs. natural programs.

Wegovy vs Ozempic

Ozempic and Wegovy are medications in the form of injections that you have to give yourself under the skin at least once a week, for the rest of your life (or as long as you would like to see results).

How They Work

In short, how Ozempic and Wegovy work is pretty simple. Both these weight loss injections and pills contain Semaglutide, a drug that may balance your hormones to curb appetite, therefore, helping people eat less.

Ozempic is used to treat type II diabetes.

• Ozempic works by responding when your blood sugar rises and helps your body release its own insulin. This process manages blood sugar levels and also slows digestion.
• This slowing of digestion curbs your appetite, which is why Ozempic for weight loss is a common off-label use.
• Off-label usage simply means the drug is FDA-approved, but not for the reason it is being prescribed. This means that while legal, since not approved for weight loss, the safety and efficiency have not yet been approved by the FDA.
• Not covered by insurance.

Wegovy is prescribed for chronic weight management and helps with weight loss. 

• A natural hormone GLP-1 works in your brain to regulate your appetite. Wegovy works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone.
• This can help lower the number of calories you consume by reducing your appetite.
• Not covered by insurance

Saxenda is another injection used for weight loss. It works by mimicking a hormone that is used by type II diabetics to control insulin release to manage their blood sugar. Doing so helps balance insulin levels, slows the emptying of your stomach, and lowers your appetite. Well-known side effects include a racing heartbeat, digestive issues, low blood sugar, and kidney problems.

Side Effects and Safety

The side effects of Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss both include things such as vision and mood changes, gallbladder and other digestive system issues, kidney problems, flu-like symptoms, and pounding heartbeat or fluttering in your chest. Wegovy side effects can also include low blood sugar in people with type II diabetes.

Furthermore, in all the drugs listed, animal studies have shown abnormal amounts of thyroid tumors, including cancer.

Natural and healthy weight loss programs can have side effects of their own, such as some upsetness to the digestive tract, like mild diarrhea or constipation when first encountering the dietary changes. And, individuals may need to talk to their doctor if they’re on medications that are dosed by body weight.

Awaken180° and programs similar may have side effects that include things such as headaches, dizziness, or feelings of hunger. The difference between a program using drugs vs a natural program is that natural programs like Awaken180° are able to find quick and natural remedies for the side effects. 

Immediate Results

Wegovy begins working in your body as soon as you take a dose, though it may take a few weeks or months prior to seeing weight loss or feeling a decrease in appetite. The impact of Wegovy lasts for about 5-7 weeks after stopping.  In trials, after over a year of treatment, an average of about 15% of weight loss was seen.

Ozempic begins working in your body within a week, but it’s usually several weeks before any weight loss is seen. The impacts can last up to 5 weeks after your last dose. Specifically, the Sustain 7 and Sustain Forte trials indicate 9.3 – 14.1 pounds of weight loss. In these trials, after 1 year of treatment, up to 63% of patients lost an average of 5% or more of their body weight.

Natural weight loss programs typically work right away. With Awaken180°, weight loss is seen within the first week and results occur every single week. Awaken180° measures body composition analysis weekly to ensure that the weight loss is coming from the body and visceral fat, not muscle mass. With free maintenance coaching & support for life, the results last long-term.

Long-term Impacts

Injectables

Quick fix? Maybe not. A 2022 study found that a majority of users gained most of their weight back within 1 year of stopping the injectables. 

To experience long-term results with these solutions, one is meant to take these medications long-term, when the medication is stopped you can expect to gain the weight back. The study above found that 2/3 of people did not take on healthy new habits and relied only on the drug. Without developing and sustaining new healthy habits throughout weight loss, there is increased long-term dependence on these medications in order to maintain any weight loss. 

Additionally, some people have found that by stopping the medication, their glucose levels rose, putting them at risk for diabetes – even if they were not pre-diabetic before starting the medication. This is due to rapid weight gain after stopping the medication, which impacts and damages insulin receptors and management within your body.

Natural Programs

Natural programs, especially Awaken180°, concentrate on the education behind weight management, losing weight in a healthy manner, and maintaining your progress after finishing the program. 

It has been found that Awaken180° is able to improve weight-related health conditions and decrease medication dosages, as eating the proper foods for your body can heal the digestive system and naturally balances hormones.

At what cost?

If you’re talking money:

Ozempic and Wegovy each cost around $1000-$1500 each month, if not covered by insurance.

Other costs:

Are you willing to inject yourself with a drug each week for the rest of your life? What focus are you looking to solve? Is dropping pounds your biggest motivator, or is your motivation to be healthier and live longer, with fewer drugs and illnesses in your life? 

Losing weight in a natural manner may take more effort, though through the effort better habits are learned. Through those better habits, overall health is improved, long-term skills are developed, and therefore long-term success is attainable.

Unlike weight loss injections, we’re not just here to help you lose weight. Awaken180° also teaches you good food habits and how to sustain them for your lifetime, because we believe everyone deserves to feel confident, energized, and healthy. With the right tools and support, you can achieve success.

Still have questions or want to begin your own natural weight loss journey? Awaken180° is more than ready to help you!