Other names for Wegovy: what semaglutide is called and why it matters

You've seen semaglutide called several things, here's the full picture

Imagine you're sitting with a search results page open, trying to work out why Wegovy, Ozempic and semaglutide all seem to describe the same thing, and yet the prices and instructions look completely different between them. That confusion is understandable, and it has a clean explanation.

Semaglutide is the generic name, the name of the molecule itself, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that works by mimicking a gut hormone involved in appetite regulation and blood-sugar control. Novo Nordisk, the company that developed it, has brought that molecule to market under more than one brand name depending on what the medicine is approved to treat. So semaglutide is the ingredient; the brand name tells you the licensed purpose and the dose.

Wegovy is semaglutide licensed specifically for weight management in adults. The Wegovy injection follows a graduated dose schedule from 0.25 mg up to 2.4 mg weekly, and in January 2026 the MHRA approved a higher 7.2 mg maintenance dose, a single-dose pen for adults with a BMI of 30 or above was confirmed in April 2026. If you're curious about what other names Wegovy goes by, there's a deeper look at that question covering the pharmaceutical naming conventions in more detail, and our page covering the various names used for Wegovy is a useful companion if you've encountered different terminology across different sources. The comparison between other branded GLP-1 medicines and Wegovy is also worth reading if you're trying to distinguish between products your GP may have mentioned.

The NHS medicines page for semaglutide is a reliable starting point for a plain-language overview of how it works and what to expect.

Ozempic is semaglutide, but it is not a weight-loss medicine in the UK

This is the point that trips up most people who arrive at this search. Ozempic is also semaglutide, made by the same manufacturer. The key difference is that Ozempic is licensed in the UK for type 2 diabetes management, not for weight management. The doses are different too: Ozempic is available in 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg weekly injections, whereas Wegovy's maintenance dose runs higher.

The MHRA is clear that GLP-1 medicines should not be used for quick or cosmetic weight loss, and Ozempic has not been assessed or licensed for that purpose. Prescribing it for weight loss in the UK would be an off-label use, not the same clinical and regulatory framework as Wegovy, and not something a responsible prescriber does as routine. The full comparison between Wegovy and Ozempic sets this out in more detail, including why the trial evidence, dose schedules and licensing conditions differ.

If you've come across sellers offering semaglutide injections (sometimes listed under either brand name) without requiring a prescription, that is a serious red flag. The MHRA has warned about counterfeit weight-loss pens, some containing wholly different substances. A genuine medicine should come through a pharmacy you can verify on the GPhC register.

Wegovy tablets: the newest name in the semaglutide family

As of summer 2026, Wegovy now comes in a third form: an oral tablet. On 11 June 2026, the MHRA approved oral semaglutide under the Wegovy brand for weight management, making the UK the first country in Europe to authorise it for this purpose. The tablet works through the same mechanism as the injection but uses a co-formulation with an absorption enhancer called SNAC to allow the molecule to be absorbed through the stomach lining.

The dosing schedule runs 1.5 mg, then 4 mg, then 9 mg, reaching a 25 mg maintenance dose, with at least one month spent at each level. It is taken first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, with a small amount of plain water, and nothing else (not even coffee) for at least 30 minutes afterwards. If you usually take other medicines in the morning, timing matters; your prescriber will advise on the practicalities. One thing patients tell us they appreciate about the tablet is that there is no refrigeration required, which makes weekends away or work travel considerably simpler.

It is worth noting that Rybelsus is also an oral semaglutide tablet, but at lower strengths (3 mg, 7 mg, 14 mg) and licensed only for type 2 diabetes, not for weight management. The two oral products share an ingredient but not a purpose, just as Wegovy and Ozempic do in the injectable range. You can find out more about treatment options and whether any of these medicines might suit your situation through our treatment overview.

What the name on the box tells a prescriber, and why it matters to you

When a prescriber writes a prescription for Wegovy rather than simply for semaglutide, they are specifying the licensed product, the dose range it comes in, and the clinical indication it has been evaluated for. That matters partly for safety (the dosing schedules are genuinely different across products) and partly for regulatory transparency. The trial evidence that supports Wegovy for weight management comes from the STEP programme, including STEP 1, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which reported around 15% average weight reduction over 68 weeks at the 2.4 mg maintenance dose.

Knowing which name corresponds to which use also helps you make sense of prices. The cost of Wegovy in the UK varies by dose and provider, and what legitimate pricing includes (consultation, prescription, delivery and aftercare) is quite different from what some online listings offer. Cheaper is not always comparable.

If you are considering any form of semaglutide for weight management, a consultation with a GPhC-registered prescriber is the appropriate starting point. They'll look at your full medical picture (not just your BMI) before any prescription is issued. Our clinical team reviews every consultation personally, and common questions are also addressed on our FAQs page. When you are ready, start your free consultation and a prescriber will review your case the same day.