Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, belongs to the drug class known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug Ozempic to treat type 2 diabetes. Healthcare professionals prescribe it in combination with regular exercise and a nutrient-dense diet to help improve glycemic management in people with the condition.
Ozempic is also approved to reduce the risk of heart complications in people living with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Ozempic requires a healthcare professional to prescribe it as it’s a prescription-only medication. Once you have a prescription, you can fill it at a local pharmacy or via an online pharmacy provider.
Ozempic is administered as a once-per-week subcutaneous injection of 0.25–2 mg, based on your doctor’s instructions. This dose may change every month or so, depending on your needs and results.
How soon will Ozempic work?
Once you start taking Ozempic, it typically takes about 1 month for you to begin noticing the full therapeutic effects of the drug on your blood sugar levels. However, this is not a firm timeline. Individual factors like physical activity, nutrition, and overall health may affect Ozempic’s effectiveness.
Ozempic works by imitating the actions of a naturally produced hormone known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
By activating GLP-1 receptors in the body, Ozempic helps stimulate the pancreas to release insulin, and as a result, insulin lowers blood sugar levels. In time, the process helps manage type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic also slows stomach emptying, leading to food staying a bit longer there. This also makes you feel fuller for longer and may reduce cravings.
You may see some benefits within the first days of using Ozempic, but the body needs time to regulate blood sugar levels. This is why it’s a good idea to be consistent with Ozempic use.
If you need help covering the cost of Ozempic, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80%. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
What about weight loss?
Ozempic may start suppressing your appetite within days. Sometimes, it may take weeks for it to work.
You may also experience some weight loss within the first month of taking Ozempic, but more significant effects may take months to become evident. You are also likely to regain most of the weight about a year after you stop taking Ozempic.
Ozempic is FDA approved to treat type 2 diabetes. Its primary purpose is to help manage blood sugar levels. One way Ozempic does that is through managing weight.
Weight loss is a result of improved blood sugar management and reduced appetite.
Healthcare professionals may prescribe Ozempic “off label” for obesity due to its potential to reduce appetite and promote weight loss. Off-label means using a medication for a different purpose than what it was manufactured for.
Regular physical activity and eating nutrient-dense foods are typically recommended to improve Ozempic results for managing both diabetes and weight loss.
Ozempic is not meant to be a weight loss drug for people with standard or slightly higher body weight who do not have type 2 diabetes.
Research on the long-term effects and safety of semaglutide on people who take it for weight loss purposes is limited.
What is the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?
Wegovy contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient in Ozempic. The main difference between Wegovy and Ozempic, both semaglutide medications, is what they are approved for and the dosage.
Wegovy is an FDA-approved medication for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight, and who have at least one weight-related condition. Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes.
While both Ozempic and Wegovy are weekly semaglutide injections that help reduce appetite, they have different dosing regimens.
You’d start Wegovy at a lower dose of 0.25 mg, which increases gradually over several weeks until you reach a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg. This maintenance dose is higher than Ozempic’s (2 mg).
According to studies, weight loss with Wegovy may become evident within a few months or longer.
A 2021 study found people with obesity, who did not have diabetes, and who received Wegovy lost up to 14.9% of body weight within 68 weeks of treatment.
As with Ozempic, you are likely to regain the weight a few months after discontinuing Wegovy.
What is the difference between Ozempic and Rybelsus?
As with Ozempic, Rybelsus is a semaglutide medication approved to treat type 2 diabetes. Rybelsus is not approved for decreasing cardiovascular risk as Ozempic is.
Rybelsus may take 4 weeks to act on blood sugar levels, but the full effects may be experienced after 26 weeks. As with Ozempic, it may reduce your appetite, leading to weight loss.
Rybelsus comes in tablet form and is taken every day by mouth 30 minutes before the first meal of the day, as opposed to Ozempic, which is a once-a-week injection. Rybelsus dosage may vary between 3 and 14 mg.
Summary
Ozempic is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. How soon Ozempic offers results may vary from person to person.
While you may start experiencing improvements in blood sugar management within the first few days, it may take several weeks to achieve the full benefits of the medication.
Ozempic injections for weight loss may provide minor results within weeks. Consistent use typically leads to more significant weight loss within months. It’s important to note that you are likely to regain most of this weight once you stop taking Ozempic.
You need a healthcare professional to prescribe Ozempic as it’s a prescription-only medication. You can then present that prescription at your local pharmacy or to an online pharmacy retailer to purchase the medication.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic and is available under other brand names like Wegovy and Rybelsus. Wegovy is approved for weight loss in people with obesity and overweight, while Rybelsus is approved for type 2 diabetes treatment.
