Does Ozempic Work for Weight Loss?

Ozempic®, a once-weekly injectable medication used to help manage blood sugar levels for people living with Type 2 diabetes, may be one of the most talked-about medications in recent history.

Celebrities are touting it. Social media influencers are shouting its praises. And doctors are hailing it as a research-backed breakthrough medication that could make a big difference.

That’s because semaglutide, the generic name for Ozempic and Wegovy™, is highly effective in treating several chronic diseases, including having obesity.

But can you take Ozempic for weight loss?

Obesity medicine subspecialist W. Scott Butsch, MD, explains why Ozempic has become so popular for weight management.

How does Ozempic work for weight loss?

Ozempic is the same medication as Wegovy, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in 2021 as an anti-obesity medication. Wegovy, which is a higher dose of semaglutide, became the most effective anti-obesity medication around, producing 15% weight loss in a one-year randomized controlled trial.

Ozempic is FDA-approved for Type 2 diabetes, but prescribing it for weight loss is considered off-label. The only difference from Wegovy is the dose. Using a medication “off-label” means it’s prescribed for a use other than its stated purpose.

So, how does semaglutide work? Ozempic and Wegovy are in a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medications mimic a hormone released from your digestive tract called glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), which helps lower blood sugar and promotes a feeling of fullness.

When you take a GLP-1 medication, your body makes more GLP-1, which naturally decreases your appetite and makes you feel fuller. But semaglutide isn’t simply a tool that suppresses appetite, Dr. Butsch clarifies. Semaglutide not only changes how your body responds to weight loss, but it also likely has effects beyond the weight loss benefits.

“Obesity isn’t a behavioral problem. It’s not managed by just eating less or exercising more,” explains Dr. Butsch. “Obesity is a complex metabolic disease. It’s a dysfunction of the normal pathways that regulate our body weight or, more specifically, our body fat. Taking anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1s, like Ozempic, may change your body’s reaction to food intake and weight loss.”

In other words, these medications aren’t simply correcting a “bad” behavior by lowering your appetite and causing you to eat less. They can also affect the signaling between your gut and your brain, ultimately changing how your body responds to food.

Benefits

In one landmark study, people with obesity who used semaglutide in combination with lifestyle interventions lost about 15% percent of their body weight in 68 weeks. They lost about 34 pounds on average. Research participants who didn’t take the medication lost about six pounds on average.

But weight loss isn’t the only benefit. When combined with a healthy nutritional plan and regular exercise, semaglutide can:

• Improve blood sugar levels
• Improve cholesterol levels
• Improve blood pressure
• Reduce the risk of major cardiovascular issues, like stroke and heart attack

Is Ozempic safe for weight loss?

As semaglutides slow down digestion, you may experience side effects and gastrointestinal issues, like:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Increased gas
• Heartburn

But Ozempic isn’t safe for everyone. If any of the following apply to you, you should avoid taking Ozempic for weight loss:

• Pancreatitis or other pancreatic-related issues
• Kidney disease or other kidney-related issues
• Type 1 diabetes
• Diabetes-related retinopathy
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Under the age of 18
• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or other thyroid issues
• Personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) or other endocrine issues

If you’re interested in taking Ozempic to help lose weight and any of the above symptoms or conditions apply to you, talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives that may be appropriate.

Alternatives to Ozempic for losing weight

Your doctor may talk to you about other GLP-1 medications, like tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®). Zepbound is FDA-approved for obesity, while Mounjaro is approved to treat Type 2 diabetes.

It’s important to note that while medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide have been proven effective, GLP-1s can be expensive due to the lack of insurance coverage.

If you’re considering buying Ozempic from other sources to save money, be careful. Dr. Butsch cautions against obtaining a prescription online from a so-called “diet doctor,” nail salon or any medical clinic offering compounded versions of Ozempic or other GLP-1 medications, like Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound.

“The effectiveness and safety of these compounded versions of GLP-1 medications haven’t formally been tested,” he stresses. “These compounded versions aren’t the same and may act differently in the body than the FDA-approved semaglutide and tirzepatide and, thus, cause harm.”

Key takeaways

Semaglutides can help with weight loss, but they shouldn’t be used for short-term weight loss.

“Medications are used in combination with lifestyle modification to increase long-term effectiveness,” reinforces Dr. Butsch. “One of the most common misconceptions is that people believe they could take a medication for a few months, then stop and maintain their weight. However, you’re likely to regain the lost weight once the medication is stopped.”

So, think of these medications as a long-term commitment, not a quick fix for dropping a couple of pounds.

“We finally have medications that are highly effective in treating obesity for the long term, and it’s a game-changer for those who really need it,” says Dr. Butsch.