Weight Loss
Semaglutide Brands Explained: Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus
In one sentence: Semaglutide is one active ingredient sold under several brand names: Wegovy for weight management (as an injection or a tablet), and Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes, all made by Novo Nordisk but differing by form, dose and licensed use.
At a glance
Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus are all semaglutide, made by Novo Nordisk.
Wegovy is the brand licensed for weight management.
Ozempic and Rybelsus are licensed for type 2 diabetes.
Wegovy comes in two forms: a weekly injection and a daily tablet.
Ozempic is an injection; Rybelsus is a tablet.
In the UK, Ozempic and Rybelsus are not licensed for weight loss.
If you have seen the names Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus used almost interchangeably, you are not alone. They all contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, and they are all made by the same company. Yet they are separate, licensed products for different purposes. This guide explains what each brand is, how they differ, and which one is licensed for what.
Key takeaways
Are they the same drug?
Yes, all three are semaglutide, made by Novo Nordisk.
Which is for weight management?
Wegovy, as an injection or a daily tablet.
Which are for diabetes?
Ozempic (injection) and Rybelsus (tablet).
Is Ozempic for weight loss?
Not in the UK. It is licensed for type 2 diabetes.
What is semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a medicine that mimics a natural gut hormone called GLP-1, which helps control appetite and blood sugar.1 Because it acts on both appetite and blood sugar, the same ingredient can be used for two different purposes: weight management and type 2 diabetes. That is why you see it under different brand names, each licensed and dosed for its own use.
What are the semaglutide brands?
There are four semaglutide products you are most likely to come across in the UK. All contain semaglutide, and all are made by Novo Nordisk, but they differ by form, dose and, most importantly, what they are licensed to treat.
Brand | Form | Licensed use in the UK | Dose range |
| Wegovy injection | Weekly injection | Weight management | 0.25mg to 2.4mg |
| Wegovy pill | Daily tablet | Weight management | 1.5mg to 25mg |
| Ozempic | Weekly injection | Type 2 diabetes | 0.25mg to 2mg |
| Rybelsus | Daily tablet | Type 2 diabetes | 3mg to 14mg |
"The names cause so much confusion. Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus are all semaglutide, all made by the same company, but they are not interchangeable. Wegovy is the one licensed for weight management. Ozempic and Rybelsus are for type 2 diabetes. Same ingredient, different licensed jobs."
Wegovy: the weight-management brand
Wegovy is the semaglutide brand licensed for weight management, for adults who meet the eligibility criteria, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more activity.2 It comes in two forms. The original is a once-weekly injection.3 More recently, the MHRA approved a daily Wegovy tablet, the first oral GLP-1 medicine for weight management in the UK.4
Both forms are Wegovy, both are semaglutide, and both are for weight management. To compare the two, see Wegovy pill vs Wegovy injection, or read about what the Wegovy pill is. You can also explore the Wegovy injection.
"One thing that trips people up is that Wegovy now comes in two forms, an injection and a daily tablet. Both are Wegovy, both are semaglutide, both for weight management. The tablet simply suits people who would rather not inject."
Ozempic: a type 2 diabetes injection
Ozempic is a once-weekly semaglutide injection licensed for type 2 diabetes, to help control blood sugar in adults, alongside diet and exercise.5 Its doses run from 0.25mg up to 2mg once a week. Ozempic is often talked about as a weight-loss injection, but in the UK it is not licensed for weight loss. Weight loss can happen while taking it, but that is an effect, not its licensed use.
"Ozempic gets talked about as a weight-loss jab, but in the UK it is licensed for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. The semaglutide licensed for weight management is Wegovy. If weight is your concern, that is the route to ask a prescriber about, rather than trying to get a diabetes medicine off-label."
Rybelsus: a type 2 diabetes tablet
Rybelsus is a daily semaglutide tablet licensed for type 2 diabetes, again to help control blood sugar in adults alongside diet and exercise.6 Its doses run from 3mg up to 14mg once a day. It is the diabetes tablet version of semaglutide, and like the Wegovy pill, it is taken on an empty stomach. For a direct comparison, see Wegovy pill vs Rybelsus.
Why is semaglutide sold under different brand names?
Because a single ingredient can be developed and licensed for more than one condition, and each licensed use gets its own brand, dose range and product information. Wegovy was developed and licensed specifically for weight management, while Ozempic and Rybelsus were developed for type 2 diabetes. Keeping them as separate brands makes it clear which product is being prescribed and for what.
Which semaglutide is licensed for weight loss?
In the UK, Wegovy is the semaglutide brand licensed for weight management, and it is available as either a weekly injection or a daily tablet.2 Ozempic and Rybelsus are licensed for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. If weight management is your goal and you meet the eligibility criteria, the licensed route is Wegovy, which a prescriber can assess through an online weight-loss consultation for the Wegovy pill.
Which semaglutide is right for me?
It depends on what you are treating. If you have type 2 diabetes, Ozempic or Rybelsus may be options your prescriber considers as part of your diabetes care. If your goal is weight management and you are eligible, Wegovy is the licensed brand, as an injection or a tablet. A prescriber reviews your health and your goals and advises accordingly. To see how semaglutide compares with the other main weight-management medicine, read Wegovy pill vs Mounjaro.
Related Wegovy pill guides
Frequently asked questions about semaglutide brands
Are Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus the same thing?
They all contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, and are made by Novo Nordisk, but they are not the same product. Wegovy is licensed for weight management. Ozempic and Rybelsus are licensed for type 2 diabetes. They also differ by form and dose.
Which semaglutide brand is for weight loss?
In the UK, Wegovy is the semaglutide brand licensed for weight management, and it comes as a weekly injection or a daily tablet. Ozempic and Rybelsus are licensed for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss.
Is Ozempic licensed for weight loss in the UK?
No. Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss, even though weight loss can happen as a side effect. The semaglutide licensed for weight management is Wegovy. A prescriber can advise on the right option for you.
What is the difference between Wegovy and Ozempic?
Both are semaglutide injections from Novo Nordisk, but they are licensed for different things. Wegovy is for weight management, and Ozempic is for type 2 diabetes. Their maximum doses also differ: Wegovy goes up to 2.4mg a week and Ozempic up to 2mg.
Is there a semaglutide tablet?
Yes, two. Rybelsus is a daily semaglutide tablet licensed for type 2 diabetes. The Wegovy pill is a daily semaglutide tablet licensed for weight management. Both are taken on an empty stomach with a small sip of water.
Are all semaglutide brands made by the same company?
Yes. Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus are all made by Novo Nordisk and all contain semaglutide. The differences are in the brand, the form, the dose and, most importantly, what each one is licensed to treat.
Sources and references
Diabetes UK. Semaglutide (Wegovy). Explains that semaglutide is a GLP-1 medicine that acts on appetite and blood sugar.
electronic medicines compendium (emc). Wegovy tablets: Summary of Product Characteristics. Sets out that Wegovy tablets are licensed for weight management and lists the 1.5mg to 25mg strengths.
NHS England. Weight-management injections. Describes the weekly semaglutide injection used for weight management and how it is accessed.
The Pharmaceutical Journal. MHRA approves semaglutide oral tablets for weight loss. Reports the MHRA approval of oral semaglutide tablets, the first oral GLP-1 medicine for weight management in the UK.
electronic medicines compendium (emc). Ozempic (semaglutide): Summary of Product Characteristics. States that Ozempic is indicated for adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes, given as a once-weekly injection at doses of 0.25mg to 2mg.
electronic medicines compendium (emc). Rybelsus (oral semaglutide): Summary of Product Characteristics. States that Rybelsus is indicated for adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes, given as a daily tablet at doses of 3mg to 14mg.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus are prescription-only medicines that need an assessment by a prescriber. If you have questions about your health, contact your GP or call NHS 111.
Our commitment to accuracy: This page reflects current UK guidance from sources such as the NHS, NICE, the MHRA and the approved product information. It is reviewed by our Superintendent Pharmacist and updated as guidance changes.
About the author
Blog author
Dayna Sheppard
Dayna is a pharmacy manager with over 15 years of pharmacy experience. She is focused on delivering a safe and excellent pharmacy service for patients.
Medically reviewed by
Medical reviewer
Taslima Hussain
Taslima is a pharmacist who is passionate about patient care. She has experience working in community pharmacy as a locum.
