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

A further trial has found that people affected by obesity and who used Ozempic — along with introducing lifestyle changes like exercise — lost around 15% of their body weight in 68 weeks. Another study discovered that after six weeks of taking the medication, participants’ body weight decreased by almost nine pounds. You may have seen a medication called Ozempic go viral over the past few months for its weight loss benefits. It has become so popular that the drug manufacturers experienced a worldwide shortage in early 2023. Many products marketed as semaglutide on online platforms may not actually contain the FDA-approved active ingredient.

How Much Does Ozempic Cost?

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.

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“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. Weight that you lost during your Ozempic treatment may come back after you stop using the drug.

Which weight-loss drug is right for you?

“The best candidate for Ozempic is a patient who has type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Johnson. But she points out that Ozempic isn’t always the first treatment approach recommended for someone newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. “It’s important to counsel around healthy lifestyle behaviors and provide support and education regarding self-management,” she says. In the next few years, additional brand-name GLP-1 agonist drugs will likely make it to market.

Getting a prescription online

Depending on your reason for taking it, insurance may cover some or all of the cost. Health insurance companies may cover Ozempic and Rybelsus if you have type 2 diabetes. Wegovy injections may be covered by insurance if you have obesity or have overweight and at least one weight-related health condition. Buying such products from unlicensed or unregulated sources online can pose risks to your health. In the event that you choose to use an online pharmacy, the FDA’s BeSafeRx campaign provides valuable information to help you access your medication as safely as possible.

Is Ozempic the Same as Insulin?

In 2017, the FDA approved Ozempic for people with diabetes at a 0.5 or 1 mg dose. The high price point of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus has made these medications cost-prohibitive for many. In the United States, for instance, a recommended dose of a semaglutide medication such as Ozempic costs an average of $804 per month (out of pocket) as of February 2023. Semaglutide is a drug that stimulates insulin production and can help manage weight.

Good for professional and peer support

Additionally, some plans may require step therapy for medication approval, in which an individual tries other treatments for type 2 diabetes before insurance covers Ozempic for treatment of the condition. When combined with diet and exercise, semaglutide may promote weight loss and decrease the risk of cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in individuals with obesity or overweight. Ozempic is an FDA-approved prescription medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. It helps improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes and is proven to lower hemoglobin A1C, a measure of blood glucose over time, according to research cited on Ozempic’s site.

Is Ozempic Effective for Weight Loss?

Participants often observe visible reductions in belly fat and may notice that their clothes fit more loosely. This visible progress is a powerful motivator to continue the weight loss plan, reinforcing the decision to embark on this journey​​. Regular physical activity is another cornerstone of a successful weight loss plan with Ozempic. Exercise goes hand-in-hand with diet and medication in achieving weight loss goals. It’s not just about burning calories; physical activity also boosts metabolism, improves mood, and enhances overall health.

How do you get prescribed Ozempic for weight loss?

Research on the medication has always been done in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise, as that is considered best practice. So we don’t know what happens if you just take the medication without also starting or maintaining a healthy lifestyle. While Ozempic offers a promising path toward weight loss, especially in targeting belly fat, it’s essential for individuals to be aware of potential side effects and to manage their expectations realistically. Understanding these aspects is crucial for anyone considering or starting a weight loss journey with Ozempic. Before starting Ozempic, she struggled with weight management despite various attempts at dieting and exercising.

Starting dose

This medication comes in the form of a prefilled injector pen that has been designed to make it easy for patients to administer the drug themselves. Most people will start Ozempic at a low dose in an effort to avoid experiencing adverse side effects. This dose will typically start at 0.25 mg and should be injected each week. Find out if you’re eligible for GLP-1s, and get started on your weight loss journey.

How Does Ozempic Work?

• The drug works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone found naturally in your body.
• In August 2023, the 30 Rock alum said on Today With Hoda and Jenna that he lost weight on Ozempic because it supressed his appetite.
• Closer Weekly does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections.
• While Ozempic is primarily approved for the management of type 2 diabetes and reducing the risk of heart disease, some individuals may experience weight loss as a side effect.
• Those with insurance should check to ensure the healthcare professional accepts their policy.

Plus, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Kipnis both point out that insurance companies often don’t cover them equally. It’s important to note that over-the-counter supplements are regulated by U.S. Food and Drug Administration as food — so there are no clinical studies to back up berberine’s purported benefits. Her weight loss, she says, “coincided beautifully” with the timing of Matlock. Bates — who currently stars in the buzzy CBS Matlock reboot — was first inspired to get serious about her health when she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes around 2017.

Here’s How Ozempic Actually Works for Weight Loss

To assess your needs and explore personalized solutions for your weight loss journey, consider utilizing the comprehensive resources offered by Everlywell. These include recommended eating plans, live webinars with our expert lifestyle medicine team and our 10-week weight loss programme. Ozempic is only licensed as a medicine for type 2 diabetes but is sometimes prescribed off-label as a weight loss treatment. There are many different causes of obesity, says Dr. Kipnis, and treatment should be individualized for the patient. In addition to medications and surgical options, he notes support from a registered dietitian and psychologist are often important components of weight management.

For example, Saxenda, a weight loss injection pen containing liraglutide, is similar to Ozempic. It helps you feel fuller, reducing hunger levels and cravings and resulting in improved control of eating habits. Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances.

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The starting dose of Ozempic for weight loss is typically 0.25 mg once weekly. This low initial dose helps the body gradually adjust to the medication. After the starting dose, the dosage may be increased gradually over several weeks as advised by a healthcare professional. While Ozempic can be effective for weight loss, it is important to be aware of potential side effects.

It sends in “hunger hormones,” lowers “fullness hormones” and decreases your metabolism, all in an attempt to keep your weight stable. When you take Ozempic or other GLP-1 medications, your body makes more GLP-1, which naturally decreases your appetite and makes https://laurel-foundation.org/how-to-get-ozempic-for-weight-loss/ you feel fuller. But Ozempic isn’t simply a tool that suppresses appetite, Dr. Butsch clarifies. Ozempic, like other anti-obesity medications, not only changes how your body responds to weight loss, but also likely has effects beyond the weight loss benefits.

• Wegovy injections may be covered by insurance if you have obesity or have overweight and at least one weight-related health condition.
• To learn more about weight loss reported in studies of Ozempic, see the drugmaker’s website.
• The discussion on whether to continue Ozempic should be ongoing and part of a larger conversation around overall health, he adds.
• Ozempic has additional approval for reducing the risk of heart issues in people with either type 2 diabetes or heart disease.
• Ozempic, also known as semaglutide, is available as an injectable medication for weight management.

It’s important to establish care with a primary care provider (PCP) as an initial step, she advises, which includes an in-person medical exam. She says blood work—drawn within the last three to six months—should be reviewed by your PCP before starting Ozempic. Dr. Kipnis agrees with this approach, adding that the slightly higher Wegovy dose can provide an additional weight loss benefit. If you’re eligible for the medication, you can get a prescription from a doctor or online healthcare service, like Ro or PlushCare.

Other weight loss treatments

• Within six weeks of incorporating Ozempic into her regimen, Emma noticed a significant reduction in her waistline.
• Furthermore, the effectiveness of Ozempic in weight loss has been primarily studied over longer than six weeks, with the best results seen in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
• Off-label use refers to the use of a medication for a different purpose than its approved indication.
• It is important to note that semaglutide increases the risk of thyroid cancer in mice and rats, according to clinical trials.

Some users report experiencing mood swings, anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts while taking these drugs. These mood changes may be related to the rapid changes in body weight, the psychological impact of dealing with chronic conditions like diabetes or obesity, or potential neurochemical effects of the medication itself. Defined as low blood sugar, the risk may increase when these drugs are used in combination with other diabetes medications like insulin or sulfonylureas. The FDA has issued warnings about thyroid cancer risk based on animal studies that connected these drugs to medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). While Wegovy also starts at a low dose of 0.25 mg once weekly, it has a higher maximum dose of 2.4mg per week and follows a more gradual dose escalation over several months.

The sixth week marks the culmination of the initial phase of the weight loss journey with Ozempic. It’s a time to reflect on progress, celebrate achievements, and consider the next steps. Significant reductions in abdominal fat and improvements in overall health are common outcomes, providing a solid foundation for continued weight management. While the journey doesn’t end here, the six-week mark is a milestone that highlights the potential of Ozempic as a tool for transformation when combined with lifestyle changes​​.

• While she revealed she lost 20 pounds on the Type 2 diabetes drug, she shed 80 pounds with lifestyle and diet changes.
• One pivotal study contrasted the effects of different dosages of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, on weight loss.
• If you’re interested, you may also be able to participate in a clinical trial for semaglutide medication.
• It’s worth noting that not everyone will experience significant weight loss on Ozempic.
• Ozempic belongs to a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
• For details about this, you can see the “Who Ozempic is prescribed for?
• But the company that makes Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, has reported sharp increases in sales and projects more profits down the road.
• With the exception of certain diagnostic test panels, list available here, the tests we offer access to are not intended to diagnose or treat disease.
• “The active ingredient, semaglutide, is approved for weight loss under the trade name Wegovy,” Seltzer says.

In one landmark study, people with obesity who used the medication in combination with lifestyle interventions lost about 15% percent of their body weight in 68 weeks. Research participants who didn’t take the medication lost about six pounds on average. 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. Overall, while Ozempic may offer potential benefits for weight loss, it is important to consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice and comprehensive weight management strategies. Consultation with a healthcare professional is essential to discuss the potential benefits, risks, and individual considerations for using alternative weight loss medications or approaches.

Some individuals may also experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) as a result of using Ozempic. As with any medication, it is important to discuss the potential benefits and risks of using Ozempic or Wegovy for weight loss with a healthcare professional before making any treatment decisions. Furthermore, long-term studies have shown that sustained use of Ozempic can help individuals maintain weight loss over time. It is important to note that individual responses to Ozempic may vary, and it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.