Adults with type 2 diabetes can use Ozempic as an injectable medication. The medication is one of the most commonly prescribed diabetes medications in the country.
A generic version of the drug called semaglutide is available under the name Ozempic. The terms active ingredient and active drug ingredient will be used interchangeably throughout this article.
To determine whether Ozempic is likely to be effective for diabetes and weight loss, we’ll examine the medical research on it. In addition, we’ll discuss Ozempic’s side effects, share a before-and-after video of a real patient who lost weight on the drug, and explain whether certain foods should be avoided while on Ozempic.
Frequently Asked and Most Common Questions of Ozempic
Is Ozempic effective for diabetes?
Ozempic is primarily a diabetes drug, as noted in the introduction. Only this condition is approved for treatment by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Data from seven individual trials on Ozempic to treat type 2 diabetes were analyzed in a meta-study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. In the lower doses of Ozempic, 1.01% and 1.38% reductions were noted in HbA1c (a marker of blood sugar). Statistically significant reductions were found.
Another study concluded that Ozempic reduced the spike in blood sugar after meals in obese patients and improved insulin sensitivity.
The efficacy of Ozempic for treating type 2 diabetes was recently analyzed in a more comprehensive medical review. After analyzing data from 9,980 patients, the study concluded that the drug “reduced blood glucose in a safe and effective manner.”
Ozempic is effective in treating diabetes based on the available data, which is not surprising given that it was approved for this purpose by the FDA, which requires substantial clinical evidence.
Is Ozempic Insulin?
Often, patients are confused about whether Ozempic is a type of insulin because insulin is the most commonly prescribed medication for type 2 diabetes.
Although Ozempic is not insulin, it can help regulate insulin secretion. Glucagon and insulin are controlled by Ozempic to improve blood sugar management.
As a result of type 2 diabetes, patients’ hormone levels become dysregulated, and Ozempic helps the body normalize these hormone levels and lower blood sugar levels. Direct injection of insulin reduces blood sugar through a different mechanism.
Is Ozempic a weight loss supplement?
Patients often ask whether Ozempic can affect weight loss. A patient could be confused by the contradictory information on Ozempic’s website. Ozempic claims to help you lose weight, but then states in the next line of the statement, “Ozempic is not intended to help you lose weight.”
In spite of some medical research suggesting Ozempic may be effective for weight loss, the brand must be cautious about their wording here since Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss.
Ozempic was evaluated for its ability to induce weight loss in a study published in 2022. Some surprising results were found by the researchers.
Ozempic caused an average weight loss of 8.22 pounds over 30 weeks at a dosage of 0.5 milligrams (mg). During the 30-week trial, 37% of patients lost over 5% of their total body weight.
Over 30 weeks, Ozempic at a 1 mg dose caused an average weight loss of 9.99 pounds. Over 30 weeks, 45% of patients at this dose lost over 5% of their body weight.
Ozempic may be effective for weight loss, according to a medical review in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. By reducing hunger and food cravings, the drug also reduces the preference for high-fat foods. Food cravings may be reduced as a result of normalizing insulin levels.
On the subject of Ozempic and weight loss, it is interesting to note that the same active drug ingredient (semaglutide) is approved by the FDA for weight loss at a higher dosage. The highest dose of Ozempic is 2 mg, whereas Wegovy is 2.4 mg, a semaglutide prescription drug for weight loss.
Ozempic is a weight loss drug that has been shown to be effective in overweight and obese patients, but because it isn’t approved by the FDA for weight loss purposes, we do not recommend using it exclusively for that purpose.
Whether diabetic or non-diabetic, when weight loss is the goal, we recommend discussing Wegovy with their doctor, which is FDA-approved for weight loss and contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic, but at a higher dosage.
Our Weight Loss Supplement Recommendations
Based on medical research, we recommend products based on their effectiveness and safety. In exchange for recommending products to our readers, we receive compensation.
Weight loss supplements available over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription and backed by medical research are available.
Considering their documented efficacy and lack of significant side effects, these products may be worth discussing with a doctor for overweight patients given their confirmed efficacy and lack of significant side effects. Additionally, prescription weight loss medications may be used in conjunction with them.
In conjunction with caloric restriction, dietary fiber is a safe and effective weight loss supplement.
The results of a landmark medical study showed that for 6 months, participants who consumed a minimum of 20 grams of fiber daily lost an average of 16.03 pounds with moderate calorie restriction (750 calories below baseline). A moderately-reduced calorie diet added with fiber can lead to weight loss of 32 pounds per year in overweight individuals.
A fiber mix should be consumed twice daily, providing 16 grams of total fiber. To meet the 20 g minimum threshold, the diet should provide the remaining fiber.
Clinical trials have shown that medium-chain triglyceride oil (MCT) aids in weight loss as well.
Fat loss occurs when MCT oil is quickly absorbed by the body and increases metabolic rate. Over the course of ten weeks, a meta-study on MCT oil reported a weight loss of 1.12 pounds. With MCT oil supplementation, this translates into a potential weight loss of 5.84 pounds per year.
As a top MCT oil product, we recommend Bulletproof MCT Oil because it is clean and effective. Coconut MCT oil is the only ingredient, and there are no questionable additives in the product. At this link, consumers can purchase Bulletproof MCT Oil.
According to the medical review, 1.7g to 10g of MCT oil per day are effective for weight loss. One tablespoon of Bulletproof’s MCT oil contains 14 grams, so around two-thirds of one tablespoon should be maximally effective.
What are the symptoms of Ozempic?
Ozempic has a number of side effects that are well documented. Ozempic’s side effects are the subject of an entire medical review.
Up to 20% of Ozempic patients experience nausea as a side effect. The proportion of patients experiencing vomiting varied from 4% to 11.5%, while the percentage of patients experiencing diarrhea varied from 4.5% to 11.3%. These side effects were more common among elderly patients with other medical conditions.
Ozempic may cause thyroid tumors, which is one of the most concerning side effects. On its FDA label, the medication carries a “black box warning,” which indicates a serious side effect that may pose a safety risk to patients.
Rodents exposed to Ozempic have thyroid C-cell tumors, according to the black box warning. Due to this, some thyroid conditions run in families. Patients should discuss these risks with their doctor before taking the medication.
How does it work?
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) Ozempic works by binding to the glucagon receptor. It helps regulate glucose levels in the body, making it effective for diabetes.
Medical research suggests that GLP-1RA drugs inhibit the release of the hormone glucagon, which is commonly elevated in type 2 diabetics. Blood sugar levels may drop by inhibiting the effect of this hormone because it signals to the body to increase blood sugar levels.
Our previous section reviewed how Ozempic affects hunger and satiation, which may make it an effective weight loss supplement. Additionally, the drug prolongs the feeling of fullness by delaying gastric emptying.
Is there anything I need to avoid on Ozempic?
Patients often think that Ozempic doesn’t allow them to eat certain foods. That is not true and there is no information on the drug’s FDA label detailing specific foods that need to be avoided.
In light of that, since Ozempic is a type 2 diabetes medication, it would seem logical to avoid processed foods with high glycemic indexes that would increase blood sugar levels and worsen diabetes. Ozempic may work better if you avoid foods such as chips, cakes, cookies, and candy.
There is even a healthy eating section on Ozempic’s website where they recommend nutrient-dense plant-based meals.
In addition to losing weight, patients who take Ozempic should consume a high-fiber, unprocessed diet. Weight loss is more likely with this type of diet than with high-calorie processed foods.
What are the dosages?
There are three different doses of Ozempic available once-weekly, according to their website: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg. The higher the dose, the greater the side effects will be.
Ozempic doses that were higher were also associated with increased weight loss in some of the medical reviews we previously cited.
To establish tolerability, doctors usually start patients on a lower dose and then increase it as needed. Ozempic dosage should be discussed with a doctor based on the patient’s individual medical condition.
How much is Ozempic?
Compared with most prescription medications in the U.S., Ozempic is relatively expensive without insurance. Ozempic is currently retailing for an average of $1,029.22, according to GoodRx. Many Americans buy their Ozempic overseas. Websites like buyozempic.com help Americans find proven and safe services to buy their medication safely and at a reasonable price.
Thus, it is imperative to pursue all potential subsidized pricing options, such as the Ozempic Copay Card and free state medical insurance.
Ozempic Copay Card: What Is It?
Patients can save money on their medication by using Ozempic’s copay card, accessible through their website. To receive their Ozempic savings card, patients can text the brand from the manufacturer’s website.
Patients can purchase up to 24 months of medication for as little as $25 with the copay card.
Patients can also find their co-pay cost in advance with the savings page’s co-pay lookup tool, which makes financial planning easier.
Where do I find cheap Ozempic?
More and more Americans are purchasing their Ozempic, through online prescription fillers (such as insulinoutlet.com). These trusted and secure services are usually from overseas but sell medication at a fraction of the price. The local pharmacy in the US may charge you up to $1500. You can buy Ozempic pens from Insulin Outlet for a fraction of that price. Their Ozempic semaglutide pens start at $284.99.
Reviews by Ozempic users
Drugs.com is a useful tool for analyzing user reviews of pharmaceutical medications. Currently, their Ozempic user reviews page features reviews from over 500 Ozempic patients.
Ozempic is rated 5.7/10 by users for type 2 diabetes.
A reviewer named “Zell” claims Ozempic helped them lose weight:
“What a miracle! 9 months later and I’m down 40 lbs”
A user named “Stingie” reported negative side effects from taking the drug in the top-rated negative review:
“I did one injection and have been ill since. Have had acid reflux, burping, vomiting, constipation, headache and dizziness.”
Ozempic Generic – Should I Take It?
As mentioned throughout this article, Ozempic’s generic name is semaglutide. There is no difference between the two names; Ozempic is just a branded version of the same active compound.
As logically follows, since generic and brand-name drugs contain the same active ingredient, they have similar efficacy.
Typically, we recommend that patients discuss generic versions of a drug instead of the brand-name versions, since the latter may not provide any additional health benefits.
As for Ozempic, it’s unclear whether generic semaglutide injections are available yet, but patients should speak with their doctor about this possibility.