Ozempic for Weight Loss

Ozempic is a medication for type 2 diabetes that’s manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. In some cases, it can be used off-label as a weight loss medication, although other medications are licensed for this purpose in the UK.

Ozempic contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This means it acts similarly to the natural hormone GLP-1 - a hormone that’s produced mainly in the gut after eating. It helps regulate blood sugar and hunger levels.

Ozempic acts similarly to the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) which to suppresses glucagon secretion, working to:

• slow down stomach emptying
• increase insulin secretion
• suppress glucagon secretion
• activate brain areas involved in appetite regulation

Insulin is a hormone that’s responsible for reducing blood sugar levels, whereas glucagon is a hormone that increases blood glucose. By increasing insulin secretion and suppressing glucagon secretion (through GLP-1 hormones), Ozempic can help to improve blood sugar regulation. This makes it an effective drug for type 2 diabetes.

As Ozempic also slows down stomach emptying and reduces hunger cues, it can also help people to lose weight.

Ozempic is only licensed as a type 2 diabetes treatment in the UK. Another semaglutide-containing injection called Wegovy is licensed for weight loss.

NHS doctors can’t prescribe Ozempic for weight loss, but a private doctor may be willing to prescribe Ozempic off-label. This means using a medication outside the conditions it was licensed for. You may be able to get a prescription and buy Ozempic from a private clinic or supplier. However, many providers are only willing to supply this medication for type 2 diabetes and Ozempic prices vary.

You should never buy Ozempic from an unregulated online supplier without a prescription – this is likely to be counterfeit medication and may be dangerous.

Although it may be possible to buy Ozempic for weight loss, Wegovy is usually a safer and more effective option. This injectable medication contains the same active ingredient (semaglutide), but uses a dosing regime that’s more clinically suited to weight loss.

As Wegovy is licensed for weight loss, it’s possible to get an NHS prescription and just pay the NHS prescription fee. Due to waiting times and strict NHS prescribing criteria, many people choose to opt for a private Wegovy prescription.

Ozempic is suitable for people with type 2 diabetes under certain conditions. According to the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence guidelines, they should have already tried to manage their diabetes with 3 other types of medication or be unable to take these medications.

They should also:

• have a job that makes insulin unsuitable
• have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m² plus obesity related health problems
• have a BMI of lower than 35 kg/m² with obesity related health problems that would be improved by losing weight

The BMI cut-off may be slightly different for people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups.

Prescribing criteria for weight loss

As Ozempic for weight loss is off-label, a doctor should decide whether they will prescribe Ozempic under certain circumstances. For example, they should take into account certain factors such as your BMI and any weight-related health problems you have.

They may consider whether you meet the criteria for prescribing Wegovy, which include:

• a BMI of 30 kg/m² or more or
• a BMI of 27 kg/m² or more with a weight-related health condition

A doctor should ask about any medical conditions you may have that might make the medication unsuitable for you. For example, they may ask if you have:

• kidney failure
• liver problems
• an allergy to any of its ingredients
• diabetic retinopathy
• severe heart failure

If you take any medications that are known to interact with semaglutide, such as diabetes medicines or certain blood thinners, it may not be safe for you to take Ozempic.

Your doctor will also ask if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Ozempic is taken as a weekly injection. How much you take follows a strict dosing schedule and your dose should only be changed by a healthcare professional.

Ozempic dosage schedule for diabetes:

After increasing the dose, you will continue to take that dose as a maintenance dose. Not everyone will have their dose increased to the maximum maintenance dose if they get good results at a lower dose.

Although Wegovy contains the same ingredient as Ozempic, it follows a different dosing schedule that’s optimised to maximise weight loss. This is why Wegovy is usually a better option for weight loss.

➤ For more information check our guide on the dosing schedule for Wegovy.

Where and how to inject Ozempic

Your Ozempic medication for diabetes should be injected into the muscle of the:

• stomach
• thigh
• back of the upper arm

It’s a good idea to rotate the place you give the injection every time. You can choose a completely different area of the body or just move the injection to a different area of the same body part.

Always check the medication is clear and colourless or almost colourless and use a new needle every time. A healthcare professional should give you advice on how to safely inject your medication.

For more information, see the patient information leaflet included with your medication.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient of Ozempic, is an effective medication for diabetes and in some cases has been prescribed as an effective treatment for weight loss.

For diabetes

Clinical trials have shown that 73% of patients taking 1mg of semaglutide met their target reduction in long-term blood sugar levels (measured using blood HbA1c levels) compared to just 38% of people using insulin. This change was measured over 30 weeks.

As many as 79% of people taking 1mg semaglutide met their HbA1c reduction target in another 30-week study compared to 11% taking a placebo.

For losing weight

When it comes to weight loss, semaglutide can lead to impressive results. Individuals taking semaglutide 1mg for 30 weeks lost an average of 6.4 kg compared to 1.4kg of those taking a placebo.

Those taking higher doses of semaglutide lost even more weight. Individuals on the highest dose of Wegovy (2.4mg) lost an average 15.3 kg over 68 weeks compared to just 2.6kg in the placebo group.

As with any medication, Ozempic can come with side effects. These tend to be worse when starting the medication and after a dose increase, and they usually get better with time as the body adjusts.

Very common Ozempic side effects (affecting more than 1 in 10 people) include:

• low blood sugar in people taking Ozempic with other insulin or another diabetes medication called sulfonylureas
• nausea
• diarrhoea

Common side effects that affect between 1 in 10 to 100 people include:

• low blood sugar (in people taking Ozempic with diabetes tablets like metformin)
• dizziness
• complications of diabetic retinopathy
• vomiting
• stomach pain and swelling
• constipation
• heartburn
• acid reflux
• stomach inflammation
• belching or passing wind
• gallstones
• tiredness

Weight loss and a reduced appetite are common side effects of Ozempic when taken for type 2 diabetes, but these are useful when taking the medication to lose weight.

Uncommon side effects that may happen in between 1 in 100 and 1000 people include:

• hypersensitivity reactions
• altered taste
• increased heart rate
• delayed stomach emptying
• pancreatitis
• injection site reactions

Serious allergic reactions are rare, affecting fewer than 1 in 1000 people. If you notice signs of anaphylaxis listed, call 999 immediately:

• swollen face or throat
• difficulty breathing
• reduced consciousness

Although studies in rats and mice found an increased risk of a non-lethal type of thyroid cancer, no link has been confirmed in humans.

Side effects usually get better with time, but if you’re worried about any symptoms you’re experiencing it’s always best to seek medical advice.

Although Ozempic is only licensed as a type 2 diabetes treatment, there are other effective GLP-1 receptor agonist medications that are specifically approved to be safe and effective for weight loss.

ASDA Online Doctor offers a variety of weight loss injections, including Wegovy and Mounjaro.

Wegovy

Wegovy contains the same ingredient as Ozempic, but the dosage schedule is optimised for weight loss. It is taken in the exact same way as Ozempic (once weekly) the only difference is that it is clinically approved and tested for weight loss. Clinical trials have found that people lose up to 15% of their starting weight after just 68 weeks on the maintenance dosage of 2.4mg.

Mounjaro

Mounjaro contains the active ingredient, tirzepatide which works in a similar way to Ozempic because it is a GLP-1 agonist but also contains a GIP receptor agonist which targets another hormone involved in hunger and energy regulation. The combination of GLP-1 and GIP (dual receptors)often leads to more impressive weight loss results. For example, on Mounjaro, people can lose up to 22.5% of their starting weight when taking the maximum maintenance dosage of 15mg after just 72 weeks. Mounjaro, like Ozempic, is taken once weekly.

➤ For more detailed information, check out our guide on the comparison between Wegovy, Mounjaro and Ozempic.

Ozempic isn’t the only GLP-1 receptor agonist that’s used for type 2 diabetes: Mounjaro is used to manage type 2 diabetes and to help people lose weight. Other alternatives to Ozempic for diabetes include:

1. Victoza,another GLP-1 receptor agonist injection Unlike Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, Victoza is taken as a daily injection. It contains the active ingredient liraglutide.
2. Rybelsus is another GLP-1 medication for diabetes, but it’s taken as a tablet rather than an injection. This medication is not currently licensed for weight loss.

ASDA Online Doctor doesn’t currently offer diabetes medication prescriptions – your diabetes management should be discussed with your GP or specialist doctor.