Chances are you’ve seen the latest weight loss craze. Social media is buzzing with stories about weight loss using Ozempic, a medication for adults with type 2 diabetes. This medication (and others with the same active ingredient) appear to be popping up everywhere. A quick search on TikTok and Instagram will bring up millions of recent posts.
Curiosity is only natural, and many people may wonder if Ozempic is the weight loss solution for them. Below, get some answers to basic questions like, “What is Ozempic,” and learn how it works, side effects, cost and more. You’ll also find some natural, drug-free weight loss options that could work for you.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a medication prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes to lower blood sugar. In addition to improving blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, the medication also has been found to help with weight loss and improve cardiovascular risk factors. In fact, due to popular demand, the drug is now being prescribed for its off-label use for weight loss more than it’s being used to treat diabetes. This has created a shortage and made it difficult for those who have diabetes to get the medication.
The active compound in Ozempic is semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. GLP-1s are hormones released in response to eating and help your body better regulate blood sugars.
Ozempic comes in three doses - 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg. People usually start on the lowest dose and increase as needed and tolerated.
Another medication called Wegovy contains 2.4 mg of semaglutide and is prescribed just for weight loss.
How does Ozempic work?
At the basic level, semaglutide suppresses appetite. You feel full after a meal and don’t get as hungry between meals. As mentioned above, semaglutide is a GLP-1. GLP-1s work by increasing insulin production in your pancreas and inhibiting the release of glucose. This improves blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes.
GLP-1s also slow down your digestive tract which means you’ll stay full longer. This leads to a decreased appetite and reduced food intake. With increased satiety at meals, people feel more satisfied after a meal and eat less overall, leading to weight loss.
How much weight can you lose with Ozempic?
The amount of weight loss varies from person to person. There are several factors to consider, such as how much weight a person has to lose and how much effort is being put into diet and lifestyle changes.
One research study showed a weight loss of 7.9% over 68 weeks (1 year, 4 months). So if your starting weight was 250 pounds, you would have lost almost 20 pounds. Other studies have reported similar findings. The downside of Ozempic is that as soon as you stop taking it, the weight loss stops, and most people regain the weight they lost while taking the medication.
Where to inject Ozempic
That’s right, Ozempic is an injectable medication. You’ll need to give yourself a once-weekly injection for it to be effective. Injection sites are your stomach, the front of your thighs or your upper arms. It’s recommended to rotate injection sites. Redness or irritation can also occur at the injection site.
What are the side effects of Ozempic?
The most commonly reported side effects are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some people have also experienced dizziness, a racing heart rate, headaches or shortness of breath. Low blood sugar is not a major concern with Ozempic. Note that this medication is not for type 1 diabetics or those at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis.
This medication is not recommended in pregnancy or for those with a diagnosis of or history of gastroparesis, inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatitis. Thyroid tumors are also a concern. It’s highly recommended that you talk to your doctor and provide a full medical history before taking Ozempic.
Ozempic cost
The cost of Ozempic can vary depending on your medical insurance plan. If your medical insurance covers Ozempic, you may only have a copay. Since there is no generic version of Ozempic, it is a more expensive medication. Prior authorization from your insurance company may be needed since it’s a newer medication.
According to GoodRx.com, the average retail price is just over $1,000 per month. This may vary depending on where you live. The cost also depends on your dosage. On average, without insurance, people can expect to pay anywhere from $170 to almost $350 per week.
A dietitian’s advice for weight loss
While medications have their place in helping people lose weight, the downside of Ozempic is that as soon as you stop taking it, you will regain the weight. Think of medications as a “jump start” to weight loss. They help when used appropriately; but, don’t solely rely on Ozempic to lose weight. Medications work best when utilized in addition to diet and lifestyle changes.
As a dietitian who specializes in weight management and intermittent fasting, my goal is to help people effectively lose weight and keep it off. This means we have to find a way of eating where you don’t feel deprived and you’re not hungry all the time. Can we mimic Ozempic by eating a certain way?
Protein & weight training
My number one tip for weight loss is to focus on protein every time you eat. Protein is digested slower than carbs or fat, so it keeps you full for long periods of time. Eating more protein can increase your baseline metabolism as well. It’s a lot of work for your body to break down protein so it uses a lot of energy (calories) in the digestion process.
Also, when you’re losing weight, you don’t want to lose muscle, you want to lose fat. Eating enough protein helps ensure that you keep your lean muscle mass. The more muscle you have, the higher your metabolic rate. A concern with taking Ozempic is that you likely will lose lean muscle mass along with the fat – and that’s not how you want to lose weight. If you’re taking Ozempic, prioritize strength training as part of your exercise routine.
A general rule of thumb is to aim for 30 grams of protein three times daily for a total of about 100 grams of protein. For reference, a 5-ounce piece of meat will generally have about 35 grams of protein.
Try a low-carb diet
Carbohydrates are digested faster than protein and fat. They also cause a spike in blood sugar. Lowering your carb intake and increasing your intake of protein can help with satiety, similar to how Ozempic slows gastric emptying.
A low-carb, high-protein diet will keep blood sugars lower, something Ozempic helps with as well. As a dietitian, I consider a carbohydrate intake of less than 100 grams a day a low-carb diet.
More tips to help with healthy weight loss
- Stay hydrated
- Limit sugar intake
- Don’t drink your calories
- Make sure you’re getting enough sleep
- Manage your stress levels.
Weight loss is a complex issue and we have to look at the big picture when it comes to improving your health.
The bottom line
If you’ve struggled to lose weight, taking Ozempic could be that extra boost to finally get the scale to move. But know that as soon as you stop taking the medication, the weight will likely come back. Ask yourself if you’re willing to take this medication long-term.
Whether you’re taking Ozempic or not, sustainable weight loss requires diet and lifestyle changes. Include protein every time you eat, try lowering your carb intake and focus on strength training. If you feel stuck, work with a registered dietitian or coach who specializes in weight management.
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