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Compare Imcivree vs. Wegovy

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Setmelanotide (Imcivree) and semaglutide (Wegovy) are both medications used for weight management, but they belong to different drug classes and have distinct uses. Setmelanotide is a melanocortin agonist specifically approved for obesity due to rare genetic conditions like POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR deficiency, and Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS). In contrast, semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used for general weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher, or 27 kg/m² with a weight-related condition, and in children 12 and older with a high BMI. Setmelanotide is injected daily, while semaglutide is injected weekly. Both medications can cause nausea and stomach pain, but setmelanotide may also lead to mood changes and skin darkening, whereas semaglutide can increase the risk of thyroid cancer and gallbladder issues. Setmelanotide and semaglutide are only available as brand-name medications. Semaglutide is also available under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus for treating Type 2 diabetes.

Imcivree (setmelanotide)
Wegovy (semaglutide)
Imcivree (setmelanotide)
Wegovy (semaglutide)
Summary of Imcivree vs. Wegovy
Summary for Melanocortin agonist
Prescription only
Imcivree (setmelanotide) is an injectable medication for adults and children with certain rare conditions. It's FDA approved for acquired hypothalamic obesity (HO). It's also approved to help with obesity caused by some genetic conditions. These are Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) and POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR deficiency. The medication works as a melanocortin agonist. It lessens appetite and makes the body use more energy, leading to weight loss. It's injected under the skin once a day. Side effects include darkening of skin color and nausea. More serious risks include depression and suicidal thoughts.
Summary for GLP-1 agonist
Prescription only
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It comes in prefilled pens you use to inject the medication under the skin once a week. Wegovy (semaglutide) also comes as tablets that are swallowed once a day. This medication is approved for weight loss in some people. It can help lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with a larger body size and heart disease. The pens are also approved for certain adults with a liver problem called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The medication works best when taken with a lower-calorie diet and regular exercise. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Indications of Imcivree vs. Wegovy
Indications for

•
Weight loss and long-term weight management in people ages 4 years and older with obesity due to damage to the hypothalamus (acquired hypothalamic obesity, HO)

•
Weight loss and long-term weight management in people ages 2 years and older with obesity due to certain genetic conditions:

•POMC deficiency

•PCSK1 deficiency

•Leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency

•Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS)

Indications for
Injectable pens:

•
Weight loss and long-term weight management in:

•People ages 12 years and older who are considered obese

•Adults considered overweight with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)

•
Lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with a larger body size and heart disease

•
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in adults with moderate-to-advanced liver scarring, but not cirrhosis

Tablets:

•Weight loss and long-term weight management in adults who are considered obese or overweight with at least one weight-related condition

•Lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with a larger body size and heart disease
Pros and Cons of Imcivree vs. Wegovy
Pros and Const for Melanocortin agonist
Pros

•First treatment of its kind for obesity caused by rare genetic conditions (POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR deficiency, and BBS)

•First FDA-approved medication for obesity caused by problems with the hypothalamus

•Approved for young children of certain ages

Cons

•Must give as an injection under the skin

•Often causes nausea and vomiting

•Has a risk of depression or unusual changes in mood, behavior, and thoughts

Pros and Const for GLP-1 agonist
Pros

•Available as once-weekly injectable pens and as once-daily pills

•Injectable pens approved for weight loss in children ages 12 years and older considered obese

Cons

•Can cause stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea

•Can't take with other semaglutide products (Ozempic, Rybelsus) or with other GLP-1 agonists
Common Side Effects of Imcivree vs. Wegovy
Common Side Effects for

•Darkening or discoloration of the skin (58%)

•Nausea (55%)

•Vomiting (38%)

•Headache (37%)

•Moles (new, larger, or darker ones; 15%)

•Constipation (12%)

•Dizziness (12%)

•Mouth or throat pain (11%)

Common Side Effects for

•Nausea (44%)

•Diarrhea (30%)

•Vomiting (24%)

•Constipation (24%)

•Stomach pain (20%)

•Headache (14%)

•Tiredness (11%)
Warnings of Imcivree vs. Wegovy
Common Side Effects for

•Problems with sexual function

•Depression and suicidal thoughts

•Allergic reactions

•Darkening of your skin or moles and appearance of new moles

•Adrenal insufficiency in people with acquired HO

•Abnormal sodium levels in people with acquired HO and central diabetes insipidus

Common Side Effects for

•Possible risk for thyroid cancer

•Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

•Gallbladder problems

•Low blood sugar

•Kidney damage

•Allergic reactions

•Eye problems in people with Type 2 diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)

•Faster heart rate

•Lung problems during general anesthesia or deep sedation
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Key takeaways

Summary of Imcivree vs. Wegovy

Indications of Imcivree vs. Wegovy

Pros and Cons of Imcivree vs. Wegovy

Common Side Effects of Imcivree vs. Wegovy

Warnings of Imcivree vs. Wegovy

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