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Wegovy vs Ozempic: same medicine, different brand?

Wegovy and Ozempic are both semaglutide from Novo Nordisk. What differs in India: approved uses, dose steps, pens and MRPs.

GLP Guidebook teamPublished 5 Oct 20269 min read20 sourcesWritten from published sources

Written for India. Reading from the US? US versionComing soon

The short answer

Yes. Wegovy and Ozempic are the same medicine, semaglutide from Novo Nordisk, injected once a week. In India, Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight management. Wegovy is sold in India up to 2.4 mg a week, while Ozempic is sold up to 1 mg. The two brands are sold as separate pens, and the MRP matches at shared doses.

Key takeaways

  • Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide from Novo Nordisk, but India approves Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for obesity and weight management.1,2,3
  • Wegovy steps up every 4 weeks to 2.4 mg, its top strength in India, while Ozempic is sold only as 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg.2,4
  • Since Novo Nordisk's price cut, announced 30 March 2026, either brand has an MRP of ₹5,660 a month at 0.25 mg and ₹9,100 at 1 mg.3,4
  • In the STEP 2 trial in type 2 diabetes, people on 2.4 mg lost 9.6% of body weight vs 7.0% on 1 mg, with more stomach side effects (64% on 2.4 mg, against 58% on 1 mg).10,11
  • The Wegovy label advises against combining it with other semaglutide products, and the two labels set different rules for a missed dose.1,2
Before you go further
  • Both brands are prescription-only in India. A government statement on 1 Apr 2026 said only endocrinologists, internal-medicine specialists and cardiologists can prescribe them.15 CDSCO expert-committee minutes attach a similar condition to some approvals (endocrinologist or internal-medicine specialist), but we found no rule covering every brand.16
  • Both carry serious risks as well as common stomach effects. See Guide 5, Side effects and risks.
  • The July 2026 recalls named select batches of 3 generic semaglutide brands: Obeda, Semalix and Usema.18
  • Trial results below are group averages. Nobody can promise what one person will lose.
On this page
  1. Are Wegovy and Ozempic the same medicine?
  2. What is each one approved for in India?
  3. How do the doses and pens differ?
  4. Does the higher Wegovy dose change the results?
  5. What do Wegovy and Ozempic cost in India?
  6. Why aren't Wegovy and Ozempic swapped freely?
  7. Questions people ask
  8. How we researched this

Are Wegovy and Ozempic the same medicine?

Yes. Both brands contain semaglutide, made by Novo Nordisk and injected once a week, but India approves them for different jobs.1,2,3

Semaglutide copies a gut hormone called GLP‑1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). Both US labels say it is 94% the same as the body's own hormone.1,2

That hormone acts on blood sugar, and it acts on the parts of the brain that control appetite.1,2 In India, Ozempic is approved for the blood-sugar side and Wegovy for the weight side.3 Our guide on what GLP‑1 medicines do explains how this works in the body.

The brand name tells you the approved use, the dose range and the pen. The medicine inside is the same. Our answer to "Is semaglutide the same as Ozempic?" covers the medicine and its brand names.

What is each one approved for in India?

In India, Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is approved for obesity and weight management, plus two newer uses.3,8,9

  • 24 Jun 2025Wegovy launches in India, in five weekly strengths from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg.7
  • 26 Sep 2025CDSCO, India's drug regulator, approves Ozempic, a medicine for type 2 diabetes.5
  • 12 Dec 2025Ozempic launches in India in 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg strengths.6
  • 20 Mar 2026Novo Nordisk's Indian patent on semaglutide expires, and generic versions follow.19
  • Reported 29 May 2026CDSCO has cleared Wegovy for teens aged 12 and older who weigh more than 60 kg.8
  • Reported 17 Jul 2026CDSCO has cleared Wegovy for adults with fatty liver and moderate to advanced scarring (non-cirrhotic MASH).9

Using Ozempic only for weight, without diabetes, would be "off-label". That means outside the use the regulator approved in India.3,5

India note: US labels used here. We could not find the Indian prescribing information for either brand online. Dose and safety details below come from the US labels. Those also list heart and kidney uses for Ozempic and a heart use for Wegovy.1,2 We found no matching Indian approvals for those uses.

How do the doses and pens differ?

Both labels begin at 0.25 mg a week for 4 weeks. In India, Ozempic then settles at 0.5 or 1 mg, while Wegovy is sold in steps up to 2.4 mg.1,2,4

Both labels raise the dose slowly to cut the risk of stomach side effects.1,2 Here are the two ladders from the US labels.

Weekly dose steps on each label
Milligrams (mg) a week · bar height shows the dose

Your doctor sets your dose. These are the US labels, not a schedule to follow.

Source: Ozempic US label (May 2026) and Wegovy US label (June 2026), dosage sections. Strengths sold in India: Reuters, 31 March 2026. The US Wegovy label also has a 7.2 mg dose, which is not among the five strengths sold in India.1,2,4

The pens work differently too. The US Ozempic pen holds several weekly doses, and you turn a dial to set each one.1 Its instructions say not to set the dose by counting the clicks you hear.1

Indian pharmacy listings name the Wegovy pens "FlexTouch".14 The US label lists single-dose pens for every strength, plus one FlexTouch pen that holds four 2.4 mg doses.2 We could not confirm how the Indian pens are filled. The US label says a FlexTouch pen must never be shared, even with a new needle.2

Does the higher Wegovy dose change the results?

In STEP 2, a trial that tested both doses side by side, 2.4 mg brought more weight loss than 1 mg, and more stomach effects.10,11

The STEP 2 trial included 1,210 adults with type 2 diabetes and a BMI of 27 or more. Each got one of 3 weekly injections for 68 weeks. Everyone also got diet and activity support.10 Novo Nordisk paid for the trial.10

STEP 2Semaglutide 2.4 mg vs 1 mg, weekly

Adults with type 2 diabetes. 68 weeks.10

Body weight lost

2.4 mg, the Wegovy dose109.6%
1 mg, an Ozempic dose117.0%
Placebo103.4%

Had stomach side effects10

2.4 mg64%
1 mg58%
Placebo34%

People without diabetes lost more on 2.4 mg. In the STEP 1 trial they lost 14.9% of body weight vs 2.4% on placebo, over 68 weeks.12 For a 90 kg person, 14.9% is about 13 kg. That is an average. Half lost 15% or more, while 14% lost less than 5%.12

RisksThe risks, in brief
  • Stomach effects are common. In STEP 1, 44% on semaglutide felt sick (nausea) vs 17% on placebo. 4.5% stopped because of stomach effects vs 0.8%.12
  • Pancreatitis. The warning sign is severe stomach pain that won't go away, sometimes spreading to the back.2
  • Gallbladder problems. Gallstones and an inflamed gallbladder are more common on Wegovy.2
  • Dehydration can hurt the kidneys. Kidney injury has been reported, sometimes needing dialysis.2
  • Thyroid warning. The US labels rule out both brands for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or MEN 2; tell your doctor if this applies.1,2 Not in pregnancy. The Wegovy label says to stop at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy.2
Full detail in Guide 5: Side effects and risks →
Get help now: call 112. Severe stomach pain that won't go away, with or without vomiting, can be a sign of pancreatitis.2

What do Wegovy and Ozempic cost in India?

At the doses both brands share, the MRP is the same, at ₹1,415 a week for 0.25 mg and ₹2,275 a week for 1 mg.4

Novo Nordisk announced cuts to both on 30 March 2026, 10 days after the patent expired. Before that, 0.25 mg cost ₹8,800 a month for Ozempic and ₹10,848 for Wegovy.3,19 Reuters reported the cut was made to fend off cheaper generics from Indian drugmakers.19 Those generics carry their own MRPs. A July 2026 report put a month of generic semaglutide at around ₹1,290 to ₹8,000.18

Weekly doseOzempic, MRP a monthWegovy, MRP a month
0.25 mg₹5,6603₹5,6603
0.5 mg₹8,10013Pharmacy-listed MRP₹8,1004
1 mg₹9,1003,4₹9,1004
1.7 mgNot sold in this strength4₹12,75014Pharmacy-listed MRP
2.4 mgNot sold in this strength4₹16,4003

MRP (maximum retail price) for 4 weekly doses, checked 5 Oct 2026. Most figures are Novo Nordisk's prices as reported by Business Standard and Reuters (31 Mar 2026). Where a report gave a weekly price, we multiplied it by 4. "Pharmacy-listed MRP" means we found no maker or news figure, and 2 pharmacy listings printed the same MRP. Shops may sell below MRP; we don't use those prices.

A year is 52 weekly doses, or 13 four-dose packs. A full year at 1 mg costs ₹1,18,300 at MRP, whichever brand it is (52 × ₹2,275).4 A year at Wegovy's 2.4 mg costs ₹2,13,200 (52 × ₹4,100).3

A first year on the Wegovy label ladder costs ₹1,83,210. That is 4 weeks at each of the first 4 steps, then 36 weeks at 2.4 mg, by our arithmetic.2,3,4,14 Doctor visits cost extra. The median endocrinologist fee we found on Practo was ₹1,100 a visit.20

Free toolWork out the 6- and 12-month cost

Pick a medicine and dose. It adds medicine, visits and tests at MRP, with every source shown. No sign-up.

Open the calculator

Why aren't Wegovy and Ozempic swapped freely?

The two labels give different instructions on dose steps, pens, missed doses and use alongside other medicines.1,2

  • The dose steps split after 1 mg. Wegovy's next steps are 1.7 and 2.4 mg, and Ozempic has no strength for either in India.2,4 If a dose isn't tolerated, the Wegovy label says the next step can wait 4 weeks.2
  • A new pen means new training. The Wegovy label says that when the pen type changes, patients should be trained on the new one.2 The Ozempic pen's instructions warn against setting a dose by counting clicks.1
  • The missed-dose rules differ. For Ozempic, take it within 5 days of the missed day, or skip it.1 For Wegovy, take it if the next dose is more than 2 days away. After 2 or more missed doses in a row, the Wegovy label goes back to a lower step.2
  • Not with another GLP‑1. The Wegovy label advises against using it with any other semaglutide product or GLP‑1 medicine.2
  • Diabetes medicines change the risks. With insulin or sulfonylureas (such as glimepiride), semaglutide can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).1 The Wegovy label asks for blood sugar checks in people with diabetes.2 Our type 2 diabetes path covers this.

A move from one brand to the other comes with its own dose step, pen training and missed-dose rules.1,2 Guide 6 covers who may prescribe, the generics and the recalls.

Questions people ask

Can Ozempic be used for weight loss in India?

Ozempic is approved in India for type 2 diabetes, not for weight management. Using it only for weight would be off-label, meaning outside its approved use. Wegovy is the semaglutide brand approved for weight.3,5

Is Wegovy stronger than Ozempic?

The medicine is the same, but the top dose is higher. Wegovy is sold in India up to 2.4 mg a week, while Ozempic is sold up to 1 mg. In the STEP 2 trial, the higher dose brought more weight loss and more stomach side effects.4,7,10

Is 1 mg of Ozempic the same as 1 mg of Wegovy?

Both contain 1 mg of semaglutide, and both have the same MRP of ₹2,275 a week. They still come in different pens, carry different labels and are approved for different uses in India.1,2,4

Is Poviztra the same as Wegovy?

Poviztra is a second brand of Novo Nordisk's semaglutide, sold in India by Emcure. Its MRP is set separately, from ₹3,999 a month for 0.25 mg to ₹8,999 a month for 2.4 mg.17

When did Wegovy and Ozempic come to India?

Wegovy launched in India on 24 June 2025. Ozempic got CDSCO approval on 26 September 2025 and launched on 12 December 2025.5,6,7

How we researched this

On 5 October 2026 we read the US labels for Ozempic (May 2026) and Wegovy (June 2026). We read the STEP 1 and STEP 2 trial papers, the 1 April 2026 government backgrounder, CDSCO committee minutes, and dated Indian news reports on each approval and price. We checked each MRP against a report quoting Novo Nordisk. Where none existed, we used an MRP only if 2 pharmacy listings agreed, and we labelled it.

We could not find the Indian prescribing information for either brand, so dose rules come from the US labels. We found no named report dating Wegovy's first adult approval in India, so we give its launch date only. One news site said Ozempic was approved for obesity too. Business Standard and Novo Nordisk's own price statement say diabetes, so we followed them.

Before you move on

  • Wegovy and Ozempic are one medicine, semaglutide, under two brand names.
  • In India, Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is approved for weight, for teens over 60 kg and for MASH.
  • Both brands have the same MRP at 0.25 mg and at 1 mg; the price rises with the dose.
  • A switch between them brings a different pen, dose step and missed-dose rule.
Side effects and risksI have type 2 diabetesCost calculator

More from the India blog

INIndiaComing soonMounjaro vs Ozempic: how do they differ in India? INIndiaComing soonWhat is the MRP of Wegovy in India? INIndiaComing soonWhat changed when semaglutide's patent expired in India?
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An independent guide to GLP‑1 medicines. We don't sell medicines, take drug-company money or earn clinic commissions. Once a month: new brands, price changes, approvals and recalls. How we write

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Sources

  1. Novo Nordisk. Ozempic (semaglutide) injection, US prescribing information and instructions for use, revised May 2026 (US label, not the Indian one). PDF
  2. Novo Nordisk. Wegovy (semaglutide) injection and tablets, US prescribing information, revised June 2026 (US label, not the Indian one). PDF
  3. Business Standard. As generics wave builds up, Novo Nordisk slashes Ozempic, Wegovy prices. 31 March 2026. Link
  4. Reuters, via ThePrint. Novo Nordisk again cuts Ozempic, Wegovy prices by up to 48% in India as generics flood market (weekly prices from Novo Nordisk's statement). 1 April 2026. Link
  5. Business Standard. Weight-loss drug Ozempic receives CDSCO approval for India launch. 30 September 2025. Link
  6. Business Standard. Novo Nordisk launches Ozempic in India at ₹2,200/week amid patent battles. 12 December 2025. Link
  7. Deccan Herald (PTI). Novo Nordisk launches anti-obesity drug Wegovy in India. 24 June 2025. Link
  8. IndiaMedToday. Novo Nordisk's Wegovy gets CDSCO nod for adolescent obesity in India. 29 May 2026. Link
  9. Business Standard. Novo Nordisk's Wegovy gets CDSCO nod for fatty liver disease indication. 17 July 2026. Link
  10. Davies M, et al. Semaglutide 2·4 mg once a week in adults with overweight or obesity, and type 2 diabetes (STEP 2). Lancet. 2021;397:971–84. Funded by Novo Nordisk. DOI · PMID 33667417
  11. Chao AM, Tronieri JS, Amaro A, Wadden TA. Semaglutide for the treatment of obesity (review; reports the STEP 2 1.0 mg result). Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2023;33:159–66. DOI · PMID 34942372
  12. Wilding JPH, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med. 2021;384:989–1002. Funded by Novo Nordisk. DOI · PMID 33567185
  13. Apollo Pharmacy and PharmEasy product listings for Ozempic 0.5 mg, printed MRP ₹8,100. Pharmacy listings, checked 5 October 2026 (not linked).
  14. Apollo Pharmacy and Tata 1mg product listings for Wegovy FlexTouch 1.7 mg, printed MRP ₹12,750 (struck through on Tata 1mg). Pharmacy listings, checked 5 October 2026 (not linked).
  15. Press Information Bureau (PIB Research). GLP-1 Drugs: Use, Risks, and Regulation. Government backgrounder, 1 April 2026. PDF
  16. CDSCO. Recommendations of the Subject Expert Committee (Endocrinology & Metabolism): 20–21 April 2023, item 1 (tirzepatide), and 13–14 February 2024, items 3–4 (semaglutide, Novo Nordisk). Committee minutes. April 2023 PDF · archived copy · February 2024 PDF · archived copy
  17. Medical Dialogues. Emcure Pharma cuts Poviztra price by 55%, starting dose now ₹3,999 per month. 4 April 2026. Link
  18. Medical Dialogues. Recalls by Dr Reddy's, Torrent put spotlight on quality standards in India's semaglutide market. 10 July 2026. Link
  19. Reuters, via Yahoo Finance. Novo Nordisk cuts prices of Ozempic, Wegovy in India again to fend off generics competition. 31 March 2026. Link
  20. Practo endocrinologist listings, first page of results in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata: in-clinic fee, median of 59 doctors. Checked 5 October 2026 (raw rows held by GLP Guidebook; not linked).

Last checked 5 Oct 2026 · Next review due 5 Apr 2027 · Report an error

How this post was made. Written by the GLP Guidebook team from the sources above. It's general information, not medical advice. Talk to a qualified doctor before starting, stopping or changing any medicine. How we write