UK Version of Ozempic: Wegovy vs Mounjaro - Which is Right for You?

Can I get Ozempic in the UK?

Yes, you can. Well, kind of - you can’t use the Ozempic brand injection for helping weight loss, it is only for treating Diabetes. But you can get the weight loss product, Wegovy. 

Ozempic vs Wegovy

Ozempic was approved in the US first by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for the treatment of Diabetes, then became available in the UK, also only for treating Diabetes.

Wegovy was approved in the UK by the MHRA (Medicines and Health Regulatory products Agency) in the UK for weight loss in patients over 18 with a Body Mass Index BMI of over 30, or 27 with certain other health conditions.

Other than the brand names they are completely the same, although the doses you use for Diabetes or Weight Loss are different. They have the same active ingredient, Semaglutide.

How much does Ozempic cost in UK?

Ozempic, available as the brand name Wegovy for aiding Weight Loss, can be bought from Oxford Online Pharmacy The price starts from £179.98 per pack, this cost includes continuous support from healthcare professionals and a free sharps bin to dispose of the needles safely. *

To see all the Wegovy injection prices, head to our product page. 

UK Weight loss injections

Wegovy isn’t the only weight loss injection in the UK, we also stock another GLP-1 agonist, Mounjaro.

Wegovy contains the active ingredient Semaglutide, you can expect to lose up to 15% of your starting weight with this medicine. Wegovy should be injected into the upper arms, upper thigh or tummy once weekly.

Mounjaro contains the active ingredient Tirzepatide, you can expect to lose up to 20% of your starting weight on this medicine. Like Wegovy, Mounjaro only needs to be injected once weekly.

You can find out more about the comparison of available UK weight loss injections at our dedicated article here.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic injection pens are one of the most talked about weight loss drugs on the market. With its high success rate, safety and effectiveness, and big celebrity following, you may be wondering how to get your hands on it. 

It contains the active ingredient Semaglutide which is a prescription-strength medicine originally designed to help adults with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar. Since then, clinical trials have shown that Ozempic has a positive effect on weight loss.

This medicine marketed as Ozempic is only for treating type 2 diabetes. The semaglutide treatment for supporting weight loss and weight management is called Wegovy. It is normal for medicines to have different brand names when they are used for treating different conditions.

How does Wegovy work?

Wegovy belongs to a group of medications known as GLP-1 agonists. These drugs work by attaching to GLP-1 receptors and cause reduced blood sugar levels. They also suppress appetite, which results in weight loss. Natural GLP-1, released by the lower gut, tells the brain when the stomach is full, this causes you to feel less hungry and want to eat less.

As a diabetes medicine, Ozempic works by lowering blood sugar levels. It stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin hormone which breaks down sugars from food. This can help control blood sugar spikes, which can also reduce cravings. 1

Wegovy and other weight loss aids do not work alone, it is important that you eat a balanced diet while reducing your calorie intake. You can find more on how a calorie deficit can help weight loss here.

You should also exercise regularly, take a look at our article on how to lose weight at home for some inspiration.

GLP-1 side effects

With any medicine, there is a chance of experiencing side effects although not everybody will experience them. With these injectable weight loss medications, most mild side-effects usually improve after a couple of weeks - these can include constipation, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain and indigestion.

Using these weight loss treatments as directed by a doctor or pharmacist should help minimise the risk of any unwanted side effects. 2

Other weight loss treatments

If you are not sure of the best course of treatment to help you lose weight, you should also consider the other UK weight loss aids available at Oxford Online Pharmacy, such as our range of weight loss tablets which include Orlistat capsules, Alli, Mysimba tablets, Xenical capsules and Orlos. You can find more information about these treatments at our dedicated weight loss page where you can also find the patient information leaflets.

You can also get in touch with a member of our trained healthcare team who can talk you through your options and create a treatment plan to help you make the best decision for your weight loss journey. You can find our contact details here. 

How to get Ozempic for weight loss

Head over to our weight loss page here to start a consultation to get the Weight Loss version of Ozempic, Wegovy.

References

1. Ozempic official website
2. Medicines.org.uk. Wegovy solution for injection in pre-filled pen - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc)

*These prices are as of 08.03.24 and are subject to change.