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Wegovy alternatives: What can I take instead of Wegovy?

Used to treat obesity, this brand-name GLP-1 RA doesn't work for everyone, but there are other options available
Kristi Torres writer headshot
By | Jun. 25, 2024
Two Rx auto-injector pens: Wegovy alternatives

Key takeaways

  • Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) indicated in the treatment of obesity, chronic weight management, and cardiovascular events related to obesity.

  • Wegovy is an injectable drug and can be expensive without insurance coverage. The average retail list price is over $1800 per month, but there are ways to save on this price.

  • Other prescription medications in the same class as Wegovy may be preferred alternatives due to insurance coverage, side effect profile, or efficacy. Oral drug options are also available to aid in weight loss. 

  • Weight loss is a unique journey for each individual and requires working with your healthcare provider to choose the appropriate diet, exercise regimen, and drug therapy.

In this article:

Wegovy is a brand-name injectable medication available only with a prescription. It is indicated for the treatment of obesity and chronic weight management. The manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, also suggests it to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in overweight or obese adults with established cardiovascular disease. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Wegovy for the treatment of obesity and chronic weight management. 

Wegovy (semaglutide) belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, or GLP-1 RA for short. While Wegovy is a very effective drug for weight loss and weight management, it may not be right for everyone. Wegovy is only approved for use in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher. It may also be appropriate for those with a BMI of 27 kg/m2  or higher who also have certain risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. 

Some people find Wegovy’s side effects hard to tolerate. Furthermore, Wegovy can be costly. Insurance formularies may not include Wegovy or the plan may have high deductibles and patient out-of-pocket responsibilities. Lastly, not all obese people are keen on giving themselves an injection weekly, and for some, this may deter them from Wegovy use. Luckily, there are alternatives to Wegovy to choose from, which may still aid in weight management and improve cardiac outcomes.

RELATED: How quickly does Wegovy work? 

What can I take in place of Wegovy?

Fortunately, if Wegovy is not right for you, there are options. If Wegovy is not on your insurance formulary, another GLP-1 RA may be. Understanding your insurance plan when discussing options with your healthcare provider is important. If you have a concurrent diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, this opens up the option of using other GLP-1 RA drugs approved for that indication as well. Insurances are generally more favorable for GLP-1 RA use in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. If you are not keen on the injectable route of administration, there are oral weight-loss drugs. Most weight loss medications have some mild side effects, and they may be more bothersome for some than others. Choosing the right drug may take some trial and error to determine efficacy for you in addition to the potential side effects.

RELATED: How long does Wegovy stay in your system?

Compare Wegovy alternatives
Drug name Uses Dosage Savings options
Wegovy (semaglutide) Treatment of obesity and chronic weight management, in addition to diet and exercise, Reduce cardiovascular events Follow the manufacturer’s tapering guidelines, beginning with 0.25mg injected once weekly. Max dose 2.4 mg. Wegovy coupons
Saxenda

(liraglutide)

 Treatment of obesity and chronic weight management in addition to diet and exercise Follow the manufacturer’s tapering guidelines, beginning with a 0.6 mg injection once weekly. Max dose 3 mg. Saxenda coupons
Zepbound (tirzepatide) Treatment of obesity and chronic weight management in addition to diet and exercise Follow the manufacturer’s tapering guidelines, beginning at 2.5 mg, and inject once weekly. Max dose 15 mg. Zepbound coupons
Contrave (naltrexone and bupropion) Treatment of obesity and chronic weight management in addition to diet and exercise Start with 8 mg/ 90 mg capsule by mouth once daily for one week, following the manufacturer’s tapering guidelines up to a max dosage of 16 mg/  180 mg twice daily Contrave coupons
Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) Treatment of obesity and chronic weight management in addition to diet and exercise Start with 3.75 mg/ 23 mg capsule by mouth once daily for one week, following the manufacturer’s tapering guidelines up to a max dosage of 15 mg/  92 mg twice daily Qsymia coupons
Adipex-P (phentermine) Short-term treatment of obesity in addition to diet and exercise 15 mg to 37.5 mg by mouth once daily Adipex-P coupons
Xenical (orlistat) Treatment of obesity and chronic weight management in addition to diet and exercise 120 mg by mouth three times daily with each meal containing fat Xenical coupons
Tenuate (diethylpropion) Short-term treatment of obesity in addition to diet and exercise 25 mg by mouth three times daily Diethylpropion coupons

Other alternatives to Wegovy

  • Alli (orlistat OTC)
  • Phendimetrazine
  • Lomaira (phentermine)
  • Ozempic (semaglutide) *off-label
  • Mounjaro (tirzepatide) *off-label

Top 5 Wegovy alternatives

The following are some of the most common alternatives to Wegovy.

1. Saxenda (liraglutide)

Saxenda is an alternative GLP-1 RA in the same class as Wegovy. The STEP 8 Randomized Clinical Trial found that Wegovy led to significantly more weight loss than Saxenda. However, individual results may vary due to external parameters. GLP-1 RA drugs are known to cause gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These effects may be slightly less burdensome with Saxenda versus Wegovy. Some insurance plans may cover Saxenda instead of Wegovy. If price is an important consideration for you, and your plan covers Saxenda, this may make Saxenda your preferred option.

RELATED: Saxenda vs. Wegovy for weight loss

2. Zepbound (tirzepatide)

Zepbound is the latest GLP-1 RA drug on the market. Zepbound is also a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist, and this dual mechanism of action has significantly impacted obesity treatment and weight management. In the SURPASS study, weight reduction with the active ingredient of Zepbound was significantly more than the weight reduction seen with the active ingredient in Wegovy. Zepbound is among the best Wegovy alternatives. Zepbound causes adverse GI events similar to Wegovy’s, and the dose must be tapered based on tolerance and results. Like Wegovy, Zepbound can be costly without insurance coverage, so it is important to know your benefits when discussing options with your prescriber.

RELATED: How much is Zepbound without insurance?

3. Other GLP-1 receptor agonists with diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Suppose you have a concurrent diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes mellitus along with obesity. You may qualify for a branded GLP-1 RA or GLP-1/ GIP RA indicated under this diagnosis, such as Ozempic or Mounjaro. Insurance coverage for the indication of Type 2 diabetes mellitus provides more options for the cost management of these medications. GLP-1 RA drugs are also very effective at lowering blood sugar levels. Insurance companies have been more likely to embrace the use of GLP-1 agonists for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels to prevent the well-documented, long-term effects of lack of blood sugar control. Ozempic contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy, and Mounjaro contains the same active ingredient as Zepbound. While dosing guidelines are different for the diabetic indication, the weight loss benefits remain.

RELATED: 4 benefits of GLP-1 drugs

4. Contrave

Contrave is a combination oral product containing an antidepressant (bupropion) and an opioid antagonist (naltrexone). Like other weight loss drugs, this product is intended to be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle modifications. Contrave affects dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain’s areas involved in regulating food intake. Specifically, naltrexone is proposed to help control cravings. This drug also causes stomach-related side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Contrave has shown weight loss compared to placebo, but the weight loss is not as significant as with GLP-1 RA-type drugs. Contrave may be a good option for someone who is opposed to giving themselves a weekly injection.

RELATED: Contrave vs. Wegovy: Differences, similarities & side effects

5. Qsymia

Qsymia is a combination oral product consisting of an anorectic product, phentermine, in combination with an antiepileptic drug, topiramate, which has been linked to idiosyncratic weight loss. When combined with a balanced diet and exercise, this product shows statistically significant weight loss compared to placebo. This weight loss is not as great as that experienced with GLP-1 RA drugs, however. While this is another option for someone who does not want to give themselves an injection, Qsymia has adverse events of its own, which may be a deterrent to use. Constipation, dry eye, headache, and “foggy brain” are some common side effects that may be difficult for some to tolerate for a long time.

RELATED: How much is Qsymia without insurance?

Natural alternatives to Wegovy

Successful and long-term effective weight management solutions must include some non-medication components. Natural or non-drug alternatives may be enough to maintain a healthy weight and overall health. Some important natural components of a well-rounded weight loss plan include:

  • Adequate water intake for hydration and to aid in the sense of satiety (feeling full)
  • Calorie-restricted diet
  • Reduced fat intake
  • Reduced carb intake
  • Fiber supplementation or high fiber content foods for regular bowel movements and satiety
  • Protein-rich foods
  • Natural supplements with natural ingredients such as green tea or flaxseed
  • Lifestyle changes to increase activity and perform regular exercise

RELATED: The best diet while taking Wegovy 

How to switch to a Wegovy alternative

Discuss this with your healthcare provider if you feel that Wegovy is not right for you. Become knowledgeable of your insurance benefits and include this aspect in your decision, as it may play a crucial role in your ability to maintain treatment and have a successful weight loss journey. If injectable drugs are not feasible for you, discuss the oral drug alternatives. If cost is a consideration, consider looking for savings opportunities from other sources, including the manufacturer. Ultimately, your choice must consider the effectiveness, cost, and potential risks of any treatment you are considering. SingleCare offers significant discounts on Wegovy and other weight loss medications and can help you find the pharmacy with the lowest cost closest to you.

GLP-1 receptor agonists have been in high demand on the U.S. market, leading to difficulty maintaining stock in local pharmacies and a shortage of drugs. The availability of the drug is an important consideration when choosing which one is right for you. There have been periods of a Wegovy shortage, as well as that of other GLP-1-type prescription drugs. Pharmaceutical companies are working to keep up with the demand. Healthcare professionals at your local pharmacy can provide more information on the current availability in your area.