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OZEMPIC FOR WEIGHT LOSS: IS IT WORTH THE RISKS AND COST?

Medically reviewed by Ami Patel PharmD, BCPS — By Sarah Garone on March 31, 2023
 * What Is Ozempic?
 * How it works
 * Safety
 * Side effects
 * Stopping Ozempic
 * Cost
 * Takeaway

Ozempic is an injectable drug developed for diabetes management. While it’s not
intended for weight loss, some people have begun using it for this purpose.
We’ve got the deets on how it works and whether it’s safe for weight loss.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could simply take medication and immediately lose
weight? Modern technology might not be quite there, but the newer-to-market
prescription drug Ozempic offers promise for reduced cravings, minimal side
effects, and pounds that fall away at a slow-and-steady rate.

If you’ve heard the buzz about Ozempic, you may be wondering if this new
injectable is just another fad — or whether it could be the meaningful solution
you’ve sought to the perennial struggle of losing weight.

We’ve got good news and bad news. Yes, Ozempic has evidence-based weight loss
results. But it’s not for everyone — and your doctor might not even prescribe it
as a weight loss aid, since it’s technically not intended for this purpose.

Here’s everything you need to know about Ozempic for weight loss.

Share on PinterestImyskin/Getty Images


WHAT IS OZEMPIC?

Ozempic joins a long history of weight loss pharmaceuticals that stretch back to
the patented-yet-dubious diet pills of the 1800s.

The difference, however, is that Ozempic was first developed not specifically to
help people drop pounds, but to help those with type 2 diabetes manage their
blood sugar. (The other difference, as we’ll explain shortly, is that Ozempic
actually has research backing its effectiveness.)

Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk first formulated Ozempic, also known by its
generic name semaglutide, in 2012. The idea was that this medication would
gradually lower hemoglobin A1C, the marker that indicates long-term blood sugar
levels.

And, in fact, this hope came to fruition! According to 2021 research on 14
clinical trials, semaglutide drugs are effective at reducing A1C. Because
Ozempic stimulates the pancreas to create insulin, it lowers glucose levels both
after a meal and when fasting. Since its FDA approval in 2017, Ozempic has been
prescribed for blood sugar management in people with type 2 diabetes.

Thing is, though, as research began to show that Ozempic could work to lower
A1C, it also showed that the drug could bring down another important number: the
one on the scale.


HOW DOES OZEMPIC WORK?

Though Ozempic is technically intended for use in people with type 2 diabetes,
turns out, it has the happy side effect of also helping the body remove excess
pounds.

“Ozempic is considered a GLP-1 agonist, where it mimics a hormone called GLP-1,”
explains dietitian and weight loss expert Melissa Mitri, MS, RDN. “This hormone
increases insulin secretion from the pancreas and lowers blood sugar levels.
Because of this, GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic can reduce cravings, slow
digestion, and stimulate satiety.”

Research bears this out. A 2017 study in Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism (which,
for the record, was sponsored by Novo Nordisk) found that people receiving
Ozempic injections once a week for 12 weeks consumed 24 percent fewer calories.
And this was even when they were allowed to eat whatever they wanted. They also
had fewer cravings and a lower preference for high-fat foods.

A much larger 2019 study in the New England Journal of Medicine (also sponsored
by Novo Nordisk) revealed that when people took Ozempic over 68 weeks, they lost
an average of 14.9 percent of their body weight.

Mitri says she has witnessed these results personally.

“As a registered dietitian, I have seen the effects of Ozempic with my clients
first-hand,” she says. A few of my clients who have taken Ozempic say they feel
full and more easily satisfied with smaller portions than they’re typically used
to.”


IS OZEMPIC INSULIN?

Insulin is a hormone your pancreas produces to regulate the amount of sugar in
your blood. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body can’t use insulin properly,
leading to a condition called insulin resistance.

Ozempic is not insulin, but it does help the pancreas produce more insulin. This
has the effect of lowering your blood sugar when it gets too high.

Fortunately, according to Forbes Health, Ozempic rarely causes blood sugar to
get too low — so, unlike some other diabetes medications, you may be less likely
to experience hypoglycemia while taking it. (It’s worth noting, though, that
hypoglycemia is still considered a potential side effect.)

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IS OZEMPIC SAFE?

The FDA’s approval of Ozempic for use in treating type 2 diabetes is a strong
indicator of its safety for this purpose — but that doesn’t mean the drug won’t
have any side effects. These range from minor to potentially severe. (We’ve got
a list of them below.)

“Since Ozempic is still a fairly new approved drug, its safety and effectiveness
long-term are not 100% known,” says Mitri.

She points out that the longest study on Ozempic lasted a little over a year,
and participants had positive weight loss results.

“However, gastrointestinal side effects were common and occurred in over half of
the study participants, so this should be kept in mind,” she adds.

Some people may receive an Ozempic prescription from their doctor for weight
loss (not diabetes), but this is considered an off-label use. Off-label
prescribing is legal, but it’s important to discuss with your healthcare
provider whether Ozempic is a good choice for you for weight loss alone or to
treat diabetes and obesity together.

Ozempic also has a sister medication called Wegovy, which is FDA-approved for
weight loss alone. If dropping pounds is your main goal, your doctor may prefer
to prescribe this semaglutide instead of Ozempic.



OZEMPIC SIDE EFFECTS

Alas, no drug is perfect, and Ozempic’s promising results for diabetes
management and weight loss may come at a price. Some potential mild side effects
include:

 * Nausea
 * Stomach pain
 * Constipation
 * Diarrhea
 * Vomiting
 * Taste changes
 * Gas, belching, or flatulence
 * FatigueThese Easy Potato Pancakes Are the Cure for Weeknight Cooking Fatigue
 * Headache
 * Dizziness
 * Discomfort or redness at the injection site

For some people, using Ozempic may cause more serious side effects, such as:

 * Thyroid tumors or cancer (indicated by a lump in the neck or throat,
   hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath)
 * Diabetic retinopathy
 * Pancreatitis
 * Hypoglycemia
 * Kidney problems
 * Gallbladder disease

Ozempic isn’t recommended for people who:

 * Have a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
 * Have a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome (MEN 2)
 * Are allergic to any of its ingredients
 * Have problems with their pancreas or kidneys
 * Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
 * Are breastfeeding

Your doctor may also not recommend Ozempic if you’re not diabetic or have no
insulin resistance.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU STOP TAKING OZEMPIC?

Hold it right there! Before you toss out your Ozempic injectable pens, it’s
critical to consult with your healthcare provider. They can help you make the
transition in a healthy way.

As for what may happen if you do ditch the semaglutide, the newness of this drug
means that there are some unknowns. “More studies on Ozempic are needed before
we can determine what may happen to your weight loss progress if you come off of
it,” Mitri says.

That said, many people do report that discontinuing Ozempic leads to increased
feelings of hunger, and — ultimately — regaining weight.

It’s not necessarily a matter of willpower, either. Studies show that weight
regains after significant weight loss is driven by potent biological mechanisms
that can stimulate gut hormones and reduce how many calories the body burns.

That’s not to say, though, that going off Ozempic is a one-way ticket to a
reunion with your lost pounds. “In order to reduce the likelihood of gaining
weight back, I recommend continuing to prioritize a healthy diet, consistent
exercise, and consulting with a registered dietitian for guidance,” says Mitri.

And on the bright side, if you do go off of Ozempic with your doc’s approval,
you’ll likely stop experiencing any side effects it caused.


COST OF OZEMPIC

Every insurance plan is different, but it’s possible your plan might cover
Ozempic, especially if your doctor is prescribing it primarily for type 2
diabetes management. Many Medicare part D plans, for example, provide coverage
for the drug.

When prescribed only as a means of achieving weight loss, though, it’s less
likely your insurance will approve Ozempic. (Similarly, Wegovy is not usually
covered by insurance.)

Novo Nordisk’s consumer website, Novocare, offers a tool that allows you to
calculate how much you’ll pay for Ozempic, based on your insurance, dosage, and
provider.

Without insurance, you can expect to pay a pretty penny for this drug. The cost
for a single dose at 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2 milligrams is $892.06. You can always
talk to your pharmacy about coupons or cash payment options that might reduce
the cost.


TAKEAWAY

Ozempic can be an effective way to manage blood sugar while enjoying the side
effect of weight loss — but it’s not necessarily a standalone weight loss drug.
And since it can be hella expensive without insurance, you may have trouble
justifying its cost.

Whenever possible, see how far lifestyle interventions like exercise and a
healthy diet take you for weight loss. If these tools aren’t giving you the
results you’re looking for, consider a chat with your doctor about Ozempic or
other prescription aids. Also, keep in mind that you might regain the weight you
lost if discontinued.

DISCLAIMER

Ozempic has not been approved for weight loss. However, its sister drug, Wegovy,
has received FDA approval for chronic weight management in adults with
overweight and obesity.

Was this helpful?



Last medically reviewed on March 31, 2023

5 sourcesexpanded

 * Blundell J, et al. (2017). Effects of once-weekly semaglutide on appetite,
   energy intake, control of eating, food preference and body weight in subjects
   with obesity.
   ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5573908/
 * Busetto L, et al. (2021). Mechanisms of weight regain.
   sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0953620521000029
 * Mitri M. (2023). Personal interview.
   
 * Trujullo J, et al. (2021). GLP-1 receptor agonists: an updated review of
   head-to-head clinical studies.
   ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7953228/
 * Wilding J, et al. (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight
   or Obesity.
   nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

FEEDBACK:

Medically reviewed by Ami Patel PharmD, BCPS — By Sarah Garone on March 31, 2023




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