Is Ozempic used for weight loss?
Ozempic is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a weight management medication. But you might lose weight while you’re taking Ozempic. That’s because the medication decreases your appetite.
In some cases, Ozempic is prescribed off-label for weight management, though this isn’t likely. (With off-label use, a drug that’s approved for certain conditions is prescribed for another purpose.) It’s more likely that your doctor would prescribe Wegovy, which contains the same active ingredient* as Ozempic, called semaglutide. Wegovy is FDA-approved to be prescribed for weight management.
Insurance may not cover off-label uses of Ozempic. Ask your doctor for more information.
If you’re interested in using semaglutide for weight management, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the best medication for you and whether it’s appropriate to prescribe Ozempic off-label.
How Ozempic may lead to weight lossOzempic
Ozempic may lead to weight loss because:
It slows down how quickly your stomach empties after eating. This slows your digestion process and can help you feel fuller for longer.
The drug mimics a hormone called GLP-1 that your body naturally produces. This hormone increases feelings of satiety (feeling full or satisfied after eating).
These effects can also decrease your appetite. For details about how Ozempic works, you can refer to the “How does Ozempic work?” section just below.Ozempic
Is Ozempic safe and effective for weight loss? How much weight could I lose with Ozempic?
As long as you use Ozempic as your doctor prescribes, it should be safe to use for weight loss. However, the drug is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this purpose.
The amount of weight you might lose during Ozempic treatment depends on a variety of factors, including how long you use Ozempic and what your diet and exercise routine is like. It also depends on how your body responds to the drug.Ozempic
For more information about Ozempic’s effectiveness for weight loss, talk with your doctor. They can discuss Ozempic’s studies in more detail, and how your lifestyle might affect your weight management treatment.
How to buy Ozempic
If you think Ozempic could be a good option for you, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether Ozempic might be right for you and provide a prescription.Ozempic
There are various ways to get Ozempic. An easy way to purchase Ozempic is by using a telemedicine provider such as:
Calibrate
PlushCare
Ro
Sesame
Through these services, a licensed telehealth professional will give you a health evaluation. If the evaluation shows that Ozempic could be a helpful option for you, the telehealth professional can provide an electronic prescription. (In some cases, they might refer you to your doctor first.) You can then use this prescription to order the medication through the service’s site. You might be able to pick up your prescription at a nearby pharmacy or have it mailed to you.Ozempic
After you start taking the medication, the service will provide coaching and other support.
If you get an Ozempic prescription through one of these services, be sure to tell your doctor. It’s important that your doctor knows about all medications you take.Ozempic
What does Ozempic cost?
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Ozempic. What you’ll pay for Ozempic may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.
Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:
Cost information and savings coupons: You can visit Optum Perks* to get price estimates of what you’d pay for Ozempic when using coupons from the site. You can also refer to the drug cost savings widget below to search for coupons based on your location.
Savings program: If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the Ozempic drugmaker’s website to find out whether its support options might be helpful to you, such as the savings card or patient assistance program.
You can refer to this article for details about the cost of Ozempic. You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions
How does Ozempic work?
Ozempic works in several ways to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The drug also lowers heart-related risks in people with both diabetes and heart disease.
The drug does this by:Ozempic
Increasing the amount of insulin your body makes after a meal so that your blood sugar levels won’t get too high. Insulin is a hormone that lowers your blood sugar levels.
Slowing the movement of food through your stomach to prevent a big increase in your blood sugar levels.
Lowering the amount of sugar released into your bloodstream.
Your doctor or a pharmacist can provide details about how Ozempic works in the body.
Ozempic basicsOzempic
Ozempic contains the active ingredient semaglutide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.
Ozempic is a brand-name medication that’s not currently available in generic form.
Boxed warning
Ozempic has a boxed warningTrusted Source, which is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Ozempic
The FDA issued this boxed warning because Ozempic has been shown to cause thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer in animals. It isn’t known if Ozempic can cause thyroid tumors or medullary thyroid cancer in humans. If you have a family or personal history of medullary thyroid cancer or a rare endocrine condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, you should not take Ozempic.
Talk with your doctor if you have either of these conditions or a family history of them.
For more information, see the “What are Ozempic’s side effects?” section below