Ozempic is indicated for treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, in conjunction with diet and exercise, when it is not sufficiently controlled with other medicines. In an update to previous advice, Ozempic can now also be prescribed for patients who meet these criteria and have not received it previously.
Ozempic has been in short supply since April 2022 because it's being prescribed for the off-label treatment of obesity. Picture: Getty Images / Mario Tama. The TGA is recommending those using Ozempic for other conditions to consult with their doctor to have their treatment reassessed.
Another easy way to obtain Ozempic is by talking with a reputable telehealth service, such as Calibrate or Ro Body. A licensed healthcare professional (such as a doctor) will evaluate your health. If they determine that Ozempic may be right for you, they'll provide an electronic prescription.
It's also approved for use in people with a BMI of 27 or greater, who have an accompanying overweight- or obesity-related condition, such as high blood pressure or sleep apnea,” Dr. Dominguez says. Ozempic is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss but is mostly used to treat people with diabetes, she says.
The FDA has not approved Ozempic for weight loss, so there are no eligibility criteria. Healthcare professionals who prescribe Ozempic for off-label use are likely only to prescribe it if a person has overweight or obesity.
The current drug shortage has limited access for patients with diabetes who rely on it to control their blood sugar. Digital health companies make medications like Ozempic easier to get by providing prescriptions online.
Popular Ozempic alternatives for blood sugar control include Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), and Rybelsus (semaglutide). If you're looking for Ozempic alternatives with the goal of losing weight, Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide) might be an option for you.
On the PBS, Ozempic costs Australians about $42 a month (four weekly injections). On a private prescription, the cost is about $132 a month. According to the medical news website WebMD, Ozempic can cost uninsured Americans more than a $US1000 a month and many flock to Canada to save $US700 a month.
While the Australian-registered Ozempic is subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the overseas-registered products currently are not.
If you have private or commercial insurance, such as insurance you receive through an employer, you may be eligible to pay as little as $25 for a 1-, 2-, or 3-month prescription (maximum savings of $150 per 1-month prescription, $300 per 2-month prescription, or $450 per 3-month prescription).
While the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved Ozempic for diabetes management, it has not yet been approved for weight management. Still, the benefits of this medication are well known in the medical community, and your doctor can help you determine if it is right for you.
However, Ozempic is not intended for people without diabetes to take, and its side effects can be severe. If you are looking to take a weight loss drug that is approved for people without diabetes, talk with your doctor who can give you options.
On average, a user can lose about 3 to 5% of their body weight after using Ozempic for a month regularly. This equates to about 4 to 6 pounds on average. Using a higher potency of the drug may result in more weight loss, but it isn't recommended that you start taking it right away.
In general, more weight loss and better blood glucose control are seen with higher Ozempic doses. During a 40-week study, people receiving the 1 mg Ozempic dose lost an average of 13 lbs. And people receiving the 2 mg Ozempic dose lost an average of 15 lbs.
“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).”
Once you begin using Ozempic, some people can find it takes several weeks to see any weight loss, yet others may see some weight loss within a week or 2. While it can be difficult, try to remain patient — change looks different for everyone.
Research has proven that higher doses of Ozempic — 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide — are very effective for reducing weight in people with obesity. In one landmark study, people with obesity who used the drug in combination with lifestyle interventions lost about 15% percent of their body weight in 68 weeks.
The most common side effects of Ozempic, according to the drug's website, are nausea, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea and vomiting. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, told CBS News that the drugs "are a well-established class of medicines, which have demonstrated long-term safety in clinical trials.
But Medicare doesn't cover Ozempic for weight loss — only for diabetes. Nor does Medicare cover Wegovy, a weight loss drug that uses the same active ingredient as Ozempic. In fact, Medicare doesn't cover any prescription drugs for weight loss.
Providers (doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants) can prescribe either Ozempic ("off label") or Wegovy for weight loss, but insurance companies will usually only cover these medications for their FDA-approved uses (Ozempic for only diabetes and Wegovy for only medical obesity treatment).
You start feeling those usual hunger pangs again, and consequently, you may start eating more to satisfy that hunger. An increase in your consumption can lead to the regaining of weight that was lost. A 2022 study found that most individuals gain weight back a year after stopping the medication.
If you qualify for insurance coverage, Ozempic can cost as little as $25 for a monthly supply. However, without insurance, Ozempic costs around $892.06 per month, on average (NovoCare-a, 2022).