Ozempic for Weight Loss: Will It Work for Me?

A steady state means there is enough of the medication in your body to stay at one consistent level. In other words, your body stores enough of the medication for it to be effective even after elimination via urine or stool. As with any medication, you may experience certain side effects when taking Ozempic. A recommended dose of Ozempic is 0.5–1 milligram (in the form of a pre-filled pen) once per week. As of June 2023, Ozempic and Wegovy injections are still listed on the FDA’s drug shortage list. Healthcare professionals are working to ration the drug and find creative solutions to make it more readily available.

What are Ozempic’s serious side effects?

You might have heard about Ozempic being used as a weight loss treatment and be wondering how Ozempic can help you lose weight. Individuals should follow up with their provider every four to six weeks after starting Ozempic, says Dr. Johnson, and then every three to 12 months once Ozempic dosing is stable. She recommends reaching out to your provider if you experience any significant side effects. Starting Ozempic without having a full in-person medical exam and routine blood work isn’t safe, according to Dr. Kipnis.

FAQs about using Ozempic

Most health insurance plans typically don’t cover Ozempic for weight loss, as the medication is currently only FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes treatment. Some health care providers may prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight management, but it’s unlikely insurance will cover medication costs for this use. While Ozempic is primarily used for Type 2 diabetes and reducing the risk of heart disease, some healthcare providers may prescribe it off-label for weight loss. Off-label use means using a medication for a purpose other than its approved indication. Semaglutide has been shown to help manage blood sugar in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

What is it and does it work for weight loss?

Individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity may want to consult with their healthcare provider to determine if they would benefit from taking Ozempic for blood sugar control and weight management. Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable medication formulated to help adults with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar. Although not officially a weight loss drug, research suggests that people who take Ozempic may lose modest amounts of weight while on the medication. In fact, the active ingredient in Ozempic, known as semaglutide, is FDA-approved at higher doses for treating individuals living with obesity and other weight related medical problems under the name Wegovy.

Managing Potential Side Effects

• It was around this time that many people started turning to Ozempic to lose weight — resulting in an Ozempic shortage.
• Medicare or Medicaid might cover semaglutide for type 2 diabetes but will not typically cover it for weight management.
• A person must first make an appointment with a healthcare professional to receive an Ozempic prescription.

GLP-1 is a gut hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduces appetite. By activating the GLP-1 receptor, Ozempic can slow down stomach emptying, leading to increased feelings of fullness and reduced food cravings. Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that can help manage blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. While there is interest in using Ozempic for weight loss, Wegovy contains the same active ingredient and has FDA approval. The FDA has approved another weight-loss medication called Wegovy (semaglutide). People looking to purchase semaglutide for weight loss can consider using this medication instead.

Who qualifies for Ozempic?

For people who prefer to buy Ozempic online, several options passed our stringent vetting standards. Gracie offered an update on her health journey in a June 5 post after a commenter called out her alleged use of Type 2 diabetes medication. “I saw a doctor, and they were like, ‘It’s 100 percent because you went on Ozempic,'” she explained. In addition to embracing the weight-loss drug, Dubrow actually revealed in January 2023 he temporarily used Mounjaro to learn how it affects the body. The Trainwreck star did not hold back when she called out celebrities for not being honest about using Ozempic as a weight loss tool during her June 8, 2023 appearance on Watch What Happens Live. The Hills star revealed in December 2023 that she’d recently lost 22 pounds—without taking Ozempic.

Using Ozempic for ‘Minor’ Weight Loss: Fair or Foul?

• Ozempic is approved for the management of type 2 diabetes and is sometimes used off-label to support weight loss.
• Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is crucial, especially if you have type 2 diabetes.
• Ozempic is only licensed as a medicine for type 2 diabetes but is sometimes prescribed off-label as a weight loss treatment.
• This preparation phase is crucial for aligning expectations with achievable outcomes and laying the groundwork for a successful transformation​​.
• Researchers are exploring whether a 7.2mg weekly dose of Wegovy could lead to greater weight loss compared to the standard 2.4mg weekly dose.

“My advice to them is to try to focus on doing the right things — eating healthier, exercising — and not weight. You know, the goal is to get you to have better health, not necessarily focus on a number. Maybe the scale isn’t changing as much as they’d hoped, but their body composition is changing, their clothes are fitting better, they’re feeling better, their health is improving,” he told Medical News Today. Don’t expect it to be any less expensive than the other GLP-1 medications which can cost between $130 and $600 per month.

Will prices for brand-name products come down?

GLP-1 agonists are not appropriate for everyone who wants to lose weight. You should not take them if you have type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, or a history of pancreatitis. The psychological and social pressure to be thin is a powerful driver, particularly in a society that frequently stigmatises obesity. People may see semaglutide as a way of “treating” their body image issues. Semaglutide is meant to be an add-on, not a replacement, for exercise and a healthy diet. After two years, patients using it still benefit by not regaining their lost weight — but only if they are still taking the drug.

What over-the-counter medication is comparable to Ozempic?

It is important to note that while both Ozempic and Wegovy work in a similar way, Wegovy is specifically formulated and approved for weight loss purposes. “[In the] study, those who took the medication and made lifestyle changes lost almost 15% of their body weight, on average, compared to 3% in the placebo group,” Kumar says. This card is only available to people with private or commercial insurance who receive a 1-, 2-, or 3-month supply of this drug. The company states that people can pay as little as $25 per prescription. People with Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage may receive partial coverage for Ozempic.

Which weight loss medication gives the best results?

While Ozempic and Wegovy mimic only GLP-1, these newer medications work by mimicking both GLP-1 and another, similar hormone called GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). In addition to curbing appetite, this hormone plays a role in breaking down sugar and fat. “By targeting GIP receptors in the body, these drugs have the same effect of increasing insulin, slowing how quickly food is broken down in the stomach and helping patients feel fuller longer,” Dr. Castro says. Commitment to a balanced diet, regular exercise, and consistent use of Ozempic, as prescribed by a healthcare professional, can contribute to successful weight loss and improved overall well-being.

What is Ozempic?

Your exact dosage will depend on how well the drug is working to help you lose weight. You may use the drug for several weeks before noticing any weight loss. If your doctor recommends Ozempic for weight loss, they may provide a 6-week weight loss plan for you. “We finally have medications that are highly effective in treating obesity for the long term, and it’s a game-changer for those who really need it,” reaffirms Dr. Butsch.

As with any medication, it is crucial to discuss potential risks, benefits, and individual considerations with a healthcare professional before starting Ozempic for weight management. Ozempic may also increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when used in combination with other diabetes medications. It is crucial to monitor blood sugar levels carefully and consult with a healthcare professional for guidance on proper dosing and management. It is important to note that off-label use of Ozempic for weight loss should be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

How Does Ozempic® Work?

GLP-1 receptors can also lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure and total cholesterol levels. There is also evidence that this class of medication can help reduce body weight, with people losing, on average, 2.9 kilograms (kg) compared to a placebo. K Health states that a person’s doctor will adjust their care plan depending on their weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, and other health markers. Ozempic and Rybelsus are made by the same manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, and have the same active ingredient, semaglutide. Orlistat and Xenical are both capsules that work by stopping your body from absorbing some of the fat from the food you eat. These medicines are best used alongside a lower fat healthy eating plan.

Will I need to see a specialist for an Ozempic® prescription?

“Let’s not discredit my years of working out,” Kardashian wrote on a January 2023 post. “I get up 5 days a week at 6am to train. Please stop with your assumptions. I guess new year still means mean people.” “I came back from a vacation and I injected myself with it,” she recalled.

Ozempic face

• We evaluate services for consistency with standards of care and best practices, and we look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
• So, rather than simply making you want to eat less, anti-obesity medications like Ozempic change the very functioning of your body in order to help you lose weight and keep it off.
• So essentially, semaglutide works only while taking it — it “manages” but does not “cure”.
• So, they can not only help with someone’s weight loss journey, but they can also improve a person’s overall health and risk for chronic conditions.
• I am a pharmacist who studies weaknesses in federal oversight of prescription and over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements in the U.S.
• Obtaining Ozempic from a licensed pharmacy or a reputable online service can give you confidence in the medication’s authenticity, safety, and effectiveness.
• Ozempic should only be used to improve overall health, he continues, stressing the importance of comprehensive medical care.
• If you don’t have insurance, you might be eligible for Novo Nordisk’s Patient Assistance Program.

Ozempic contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which is considered a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This means that it mimics how GLP-1, a natural hormone, works in your body to regulate appetite. Studies show it can lead to an average weight loss of 15% of body weight over 68 weeks. However, this is not to say that Ozempic will start to lower blood sugar completely by the fifth week. The drug’s effectiveness varies among individuals and is based on factors like weight, age, and any other medications being taken.

Is Wegovy the same as Ozempic?

In fact, one of the concerns about semaglutide is that those who stop using the drug will most likely regain the weight they lost as its effects wear off in the absence of significant lifestyle changes. Secreted in the gut, GLP-1 stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin, reducing the body’s blood sugar. But there are also receptors for the GLP-1 hormone in the brain, heart, and other parts of the body, meaning that GLP-1 and its artificial counterpart also trick the mind, triggering a feeling of satiety. “It’s one of the most depressing things I’ve experienced as a physician,” she said. Both classes of weight-loss drugs, semaglutide and tirzepatide, are meant to be taken for life — the effects last only as long as you’re taking them.

Ozempic Takes Away Cravings

Ozempic works in many organs within the body, explains Veronica R. Johnson, M.D., an internal medicine physician specializing in obesity medicine at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. In the stomach, Ozempic slows gastric emptying, and in the pancreas, it stimulates insulin release. In addition, signals sent to the brain make you feel less hungry and more full, she adds. Ozempic is an injectable diabetes medication available by prescription. Though it’s been on the market since 2017, it’s only more recently surged in popularity—in 2023, sales of Ozempic spiked as it gained attention for its weight-loss effects, fueling ongoing shortages of the medication. With the patent not expiring until 2031, availability issues may continue.

Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We evaluate services for consistency with standards of care and best practices, and we look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline. Among the reasons we like it is that PlushCare works with insurance companies and offers same-day appointments. The influencer said that using Ozempic to treat her type 2 diabetes negatively affected her overall health.

Ozempic belongs to a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. The drug works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone found naturally in your body. Using Ozempic off-label for weight loss may cause side effects in some people. Dr. Butsch says that all signs point to the use of an anti-obesity medication as a safe and effective treatment for people living with obesity, yet it’s not being used as often as you’d expect. In other words, Ozempic and anti-obesity medications work not simply because they’re correcting a “bad” behavior by lowering your appetite and causing you to eat less. They can affect the signaling between your gut and your brain, ultimately changing how your body responds to food.

A social media frenzy has drained stocks of a drug for treating diabetes and obesity, leaving those who need it waiting until next year for resupply. When the shortage is resolved and semaglutide is once again available in Australia for those with diabetes, it’s unclear who will be able to access it for weight loss. Patients and doctors are also asking how much they will pay, and what role it will play in managing obesity. In recent years, the quest for effective weight loss solutions has brought several innovative medications into the spotlight.

You’ll also be more likely to experience stomach cramping and discomfort if food intake isn’t reduced after starting Ozempic, he cautions. In this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, the Oscar-winning actress, 76, clarifies that she lost 80 lbs. Kathy Bates is addressing the rumors she used Ozempic to achieve her 100-lb. Peptide sellers do not have to adhere to the rules or regulations that drug manufacturers or compounding pharmacies do.

All others are injections and have the added benefit of weight loss, like Trulicity (dulaglutide) and Victoza (liraglutide). This higher dose is specifically designed to support substantial weight loss. Participants in one study using Wegovy experienced an average weight loss of about 15-18% of their initial body weight over 68 weeks. By comparison, participants taking Ozempic lost about 6-10% of their body weight, according to the study. Wegovy is for those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 (obese) or 27 (overweight) with one or more weight-related conditions, for example high blood pressure. So, rather than simply making you want to eat less, anti-obesity medications like Ozempic change the very functioning of your body in order to help you lose weight and keep it off.

Though initially intended to treat diabetes, Ozempic has acquired another application in recent years. Heralded as a wildly effective weight-loss drug, it provides millions of people with obesity an alternative route for reducing their weight, albeit a financially costly one. For doctors like Thiara who specialize in weight management, using Ozempic long-term for patients in a healthy weight range is the wrong approach. She tried former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member Teddi Mellencamp’s controversial weight loss program, infamous for its incredibly restrictive dietary plan and excessive cardio recommendations. Nothing worked until another mom at her daughter’s school mentioned that she was on Ozempic. Raibick knows of others like her, who sought out the drug for more minor weight loss but aren’t as candid about their journeys.

Doctors may also prescribe Ozempic if a person has overweight or obesity without type 2 diabetes. People must have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and over or a BMI of at least 27 and one or more weight-related conditions, such as high blood pressure or sleep apnea. Healthcare professionals may prescribe Ozempic for weight loss, as semaglutide is effective in helping people lose weight.

• Before using Ozempic, inform your healthcare provider if you have had pancreas or kidney problems, a history of diabetic retinopathy, or if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• They can provide personalized advice and guidance on the most effective approach to achieving weight loss goals.
• These can include your treatment plan, your health insurance (if you have it), the pharmacy you use, and your location.
• However, if your primary concern is weight loss due to obesity or being overweight, Wegovy or Zepbound might be the better option.
• It’s worth noting that not everyone will experience significant weight loss on Ozempic.
• United States and Australian regulators have recently approved Wegovy for that purpose, though it hasn’t been available for use in Australia to date.
• Ozempic will work best when complemented with a nutritious diet that includes a variety of food groups.

It is important to keep a record of blood sugar readings and report any severe changes or concerns to a healthcare provider. When using Ozempic for weight loss, it is important to monitor certain aspects of your health. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is crucial, especially if you have type 2 diabetes. Individual suitability for using Ozempic for weight loss should be assessed by a healthcare professional. While Ozempic may be effective for some individuals, it may not be suitable for everyone.

A doctor can prescribe Ozempic for weight loss if they think it is safe and medically appropriate. Healthcare professionals who prescribe Ozempic for off-label use are likely only to prescribe it if a person has overweight or obesity. Ozempic cost will vary depending on a person’s insurance and where they purchase https://laurel-foundation.org/how-to-get-ozempic-for-weight-loss/ the drug. For example, Optum Perks states that Ozempic can start at around $972, but prices regularly fluctuate. Taking Ozempic alongside insulin secretagogues or insulin can increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Healthcare professionals may reduce the dose of one of the medications to increase safety.

The starting dose may be adjusted depending on the individual’s tolerance, weight loss progress, and any side effects experienced. Regular monitoring and communication with a healthcare provider are essential to ensure the efficacy and safety of treatment. Some individuals may experience significant weight loss while others may not experience the same level of effectiveness.

“We trust that healthcare providers are evaluating a patient’s individual needs and determining which medicine is right for that particular patient.” The narratives of individuals who have undergone this transformation highlight the multifaceted benefits of Ozempic, including substantial weight loss, enhanced self-confidence, and improved overall health​​. A licensed healthcare professional (such as a doctor) will evaluate your health. If they determine that Ozempic may be a good choice for you, they’ll provide an electronic prescription.

One such alternative is Wegovy, which is a higher-dose version of Ozempic specifically approved for weight loss. It is worth noting that the higher-dose version of Ozempic, called Wegovy, has been specifically approved by the FDA for weight loss. In recent years, a higher-dose version of Ozempic called Wegovy has been approved specifically for weight loss.

Ozempic may not be suitable for individuals with a history of certain medical conditions, such as pancreatitis or thyroid disorders. It is essential to disclose your medical history and any current medications to your healthcare provider. It is worth noting that Wegovy, a higher-dose version of Ozempic, has been specifically approved for weight loss by the FDA. If weight loss is a primary concern, healthcare providers may consider prescribing Wegovy instead of off-label use of Ozempic.