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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.
Due to the Wegovy shortage along with the weight loss effects of Ozempic going viral on social media, other people without type 2 diabetes have started using Ozempic without authorization for weight loss.
In this article, we discuss this growing weight loss trend and offer insights from physicians on Ozempic’s effectiveness for weight loss, safety and what you should consider before taking Ozempic for weight loss.
Ozempic is an FDA-approved prescription drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. It helps raise blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes and has been shown to lower hemoglobin A1C, a measure of blood sugar over time, according to studies. It is also helping adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease reduce their risk of cardiovascular events such as strokes or heart attacks.
The active compound in Ozempic, semaglutide, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It works by activating the framework of GLP-1 receptors and editing the effects of the herbal hormone GLP-1.
“GLP-1 serves several key purposes in the body,” says Christopher McGowan, M. D. , a gastroenterologist specializing in obesity and endobariatric medicine and founder of True You Weight Loss in North Carolina. “It stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas in reaction to food intake, which helps blood sugar levels. Similarly, it reduces the release of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels, thus helping blood sugar levels.
Ozempic is a self-administered semaglutide injection once a week. It is sold in doses of 0. 5 milligrams, 1 milligrams, or 2 milligrams.
Ozempic is insulin. It helps the pancreas produce more insulin when blood sugar is high. “Unlike insulin, Ozempic rarely causes hypoglycemia,” is Lydia Alexander, M. D. , a California-based board-certified obesity medicine specialist and president-elect of Obesity Medicine. Association, the largest organization of physicians committed to the prevention, treatment and reversal of hypoglycemia, the disease of obesity.
Although Ozempic is not specifically classified as a weight-loss drug, studies sponsored by Novo Nordisk, the company that makes Ozempic, suggest that other people who take semaglutide (the active compound in Ozempic) may lose weight. [1] Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Semaglutide once a week in obese or obese adults. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021; 384(11):989-1002. [2] Mares AC, Chatterjee S, Mukherjee D. Semaglutide for weight loss and alleviation of cardiometabolic threats in people with obesity/obesity. Current review of Cardiol. 2022; 37(4):350-355. Array In fact, the FDA approved semaglutide for weight loss in 2021 under the logo called Wegovy. However, Wegovy delivers a higher dose of semaglutide than Ozempic: 2. 4 milligrams of semaglutide in Wegovy compared to 0. 5 milligrams, 1 milligram, or 2 milligrams of semaglutide in Ozempic.
As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide complements the effects of the herbal hormone GLP-1. Dr. McGowan explains that in addition to its effects on blood sugar and diabetes, GLP-1 also affects weight through two key mechanisms:
“The net result is decreased hunger, prolonged satiety, and ultimately weight loss,” adds Dr. McGowan.
In a gigantic clinical trial sponsored through Novo Nordisk, 1,961 obese or obese adults who did not have diabetes gained 2. 4 milligrams of semaglutide or a placebo once a week for 68 weeks, along with a life-threatening intervention. Those who took semaglutide lost 14. 9% of their body weight, compared to 2. 4% of those who took the placebo. [1] Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Semaglutide once a week in obese or obese adults. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021; 384(11):989-1002. Matrix
It’s important to note that the dose of semaglutide used in this study was higher than the dose provided by Ozempic. However, 2.4 milligrams is the dose of semaglutide in the FDA-approved weight loss drug Wegovy.
“Ozempic is FDA approved for the treatment of diabetes only. It is not a weight loss medication,” explains Dr. McGowan. “Its sister medication, Wegovy, is specifically approved for the treatment of weight,” he adds.
Although Ozempic and Wegovy are necessarily the same drug (you can only get it in other doses), it is worth noting that although Ozempic is regularly covered by insurance, Wegovy is not.
High demand and resulting tensions in stocks and the origin chain have severely affected Wegovy’s availability, notes Dr. McGowan. As a result, Wegovy has not been available several times since its emergence and many other people are turning to the off-label use of Ozempic for weight loss. McGowan notes that this interferes with the availability of Ozempic to other people with diabetes.
Although taking semaglutide can help you lose weight while taking the medication, most people will regain much of that weight if they stop taking it. “Studies show that stopping Ozempic completely will likely lead to regaining most of the weight lost within a few months,” says Rekha Kumar, M. D. , medical affairs manager for the evidence-based weight care program Found, and a practicing endocrinologist at an educational medical center in New York City.
“GLP-1 medications [like Ozempic] are designed to be taken long-term,” explains Dr. McGowan. “They are chronic medications for the treatment of chronic conditions (both diabetes and obesity).”
Although Ozempic is approved by the FDA for weight loss, semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy (an FDA-approved weight loss medication), slows emptying of the abdomen, which can minimize appetite.
When combined with nutrition and exercise, semaglutide may promote weight loss and minimize the risk of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in people who are overweight or overweight.
“Ozempic is a safe drug that offers many advantages,” says Fatima Cody Stanford, M. D. , a physician-scientist in obesity medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, an associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at Harvard Medical School Unit, and a member of Sweetch’s team. advisory board. ” Approximately 80% of patients with type 2 diabetes also suffer from co-occurring obesity. Therefore, those patients gain advantages of a double benefit for the treatment of their diabetes and obesity.
Ozempic has also been shown to produce primary adverse coronary events, adding heart attacks and strokes, and provides a number of other benefits, adds Dr. Cody Stanford.
However, Ozempic is not for everyone. According to the company, other people with the following situations deserve to avoid using Ozempic:
As with any prescription medication, it is critical to consult with your doctor or other qualified physical care professional to determine if this medication is for you and what dosage is appropriate.
A 0. 25 or 0. 5 milligram dose of Ozempic is recently sold at Novo Nordisk for $935. 77 without insurance. However, depending on the company, other people with personal or advertising insurance who are eligible for a prescription may pay as little as $25 for one. Two to three month supply.
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.
On the other hand, many insurers offer Ozempic policy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, a health care provider may need to provide authorization for a user to be approved for the insurance policy. In addition, some plans might require step-by-step healing for drug approval, in which a user tries other remedies for type 2 diabetes before insurance covers Ozempic for the remedy of the condition.
Those with a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan may be able to get coverage for Ozempic as an anti-diabetic drug. However, Medicare does not offer coverage for medications prescribed for weight loss.
Similarly, many state Medicaid programs cover Ozempic for type 2 diabetes treatment, but may come with requirements for medication approval, step therapy and quantity limits. However, Medicaid programs vary by state and some state programs may cover medications for weight loss.
Contact your fitness insurance provider to find out if they offer a policy for Ozempic.
Ozempic is a weekly injection that comes in doses of 0. 25 milligrams, 0. 5 milligrams, 1 milligrams, and 2 milligrams. People are asked to start with 0. 25 milligrams for 4 weeks and gradually increase their dose at 4-week intervals.
Novo Nordisk recommends administering Ozempic on the same day each week, with or without a meal. The maximum recommended dose is 2 milligrams once weekly, according to the company.
Ozempic remains in an individual’s formula for approximately weeks after their last dose, according to FDA data[3]OZEMPIC-semaglutide injection, solution. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 12/05/2023.
Ozempic is not approved by the FDA to treat weight loss. However, Wegovy, a medication with higher amounts of semaglutide than Ozempic, is approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. or 27 years or older in people with a weight-related physical condition.
Semaglutide has been shown to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. In addition, when combined with healthy nutrition and exercise, semaglutide may cause blood loss. weight in obese or obese people.
One 2021 study in The New England Journal of Medicine sponsored by Ozempic manufacturer Novo Nordisk found that participants with obesity or overweight who received a once-weekly 2.4 milligram dose of semaglutide combined with lifestyle changes experienced the following benefits over 68 weeks[1]Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;384(11):989-1002. :
“Overall, Ozempic is a very safe drug,” Dr. McGowan says. “The most common side effects are gastrointestinal in nature: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. While most people who take Ozempic will likely enjoy these symptoms during treatment, they should improve over time, says Dr. McGowan.
“Because Ozempic slows gastric emptying, there can be an early feeling of fullness,” adds Dr. Alexander, who recommends that Americans eat slowly to help those and other gastrointestinal side effects of Ozempic. a few days to a few weeks after starting Ozempic or changing the dose,” he adds.
Taking Ozempic can lead to other, less common but more serious effects, according to the company. These include:
Ozempic is best suited for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Indications for Ozempic include:
Wegovy, on the other hand, is FDA-approved for weight management in people with a BMI of 30 or higher or 27 or higher for those with a weight-related disease.
Consult your doctor to find out if you would be a smart candidate for Ozempic.
Ozempic is designed to be taken long-term for the treatment of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Discontinuation of Ozempic use could lead to weight gain and decreased cardiometabolic health. Always take your prescription medications as directed by your doctor.
People with type 2 diabetes and obesity may need to see their doctor to determine if they will benefit from taking Ozempic for blood sugar and weight control. “As the number one remedy for obesity, Wegovy is also a great choice for any patient who has struggled to lose weight through nutrition and exercise alone, has a BMI of 30 or higher (or 27 or higher with obesity-related comorbidity), and is willing to use a weekly injection long-term,” says Dr. McGowan.
However, using Ozempic for short-term cosmetic weight loss is not something Dr. McGowan recommends. “Although it has gained a lot of media attention, Ozempic and related GLP-1 drugs are not designed to be used in this way, they can lead to potential adverse effects, and in the end, the lost weight will be regained. In addition, this off-label use of Ozempic has a massive effect on the availability of the drug to those who need it most: other people with type 2 diabetes (or in Wegovy’s case, other obese people),” he explains.
In addition, anyone with contraindications such as a history of medullary thyroid cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia, or a history of pancreatitis should not use Ozempic, adds Dr. Cody Stanford.
Although Ozempic is not approved by the FDA as a weight-loss drug, Dr. McGowan recommends other people with type 2 diabetes, especially those who are very overweight or obese, to consult their doctor to see if Ozempic could be a weight-loss drug. Smart selection to help your blood sugar levels and with weight management.
He notes, “GLP-1 drugs are much more effective for weight management than previous anti-obesity drugs and deserve to be considered as a first-line pharmacotherapy for the treatment of obesity. “
On the other hand, Dr. McGowan warns against using Ozempic for short-term, cosmetic weight loss purposes. This is because Ozempic is a medication that is intended to be taken long-term and ceasing use of Ozempic may lead to weight regain over time.
Ask your doctor if you will benefit from taking this medication.
If you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and experience trouble meeting your blood sugar goals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends visiting your doctor every three months to check your blood pressure and weight and to discuss your care plan.
Additionally, the CDC recommends contacting your doctor immediately if you notice new or worsening health problems.
Ozempic may begin to control blood sugar levels within the first week of starting treatment, the effects vary from user to user.
People who stop taking Ozempic would possibly experience weight gain, according to Dr. McGowan.
No, there is no generic form of Ozempic lately.
A small comparison of 175 participants with a BMI of 27 or higher who received weekly injections of semaglutide found that participants lost an average of 14 pounds after 3 months.
Ozempic would possibly be helpful for others who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
According to research, Ozempic may advertise greater relief from fat mass than lean mass.
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