Yes, Ozempic can be used to help people lose weight even though it was originally designed for the treatment of diabetes.
Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable medication formulated to help adults with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar. Although not officially a weight loss drug, research suggests that people who take Ozempic may lose modest amounts of weight while on the medication.
Recommended Dosage
Start OZEMPIC with a 0.25 mg subcutaneous injection once weekly for 4 weeks. The 0.25 mg dosage is intended for treatment initiation and is not effective for glycemic control. After 4 weeks on the 0.25 mg dosage, increase the dosage to 0.5 mg once weekly.
Seeing results. Ozempic starts working within the first week of beginning your maintenance dose. Your blood sugar levels will start to decline during this time. Reaching the steady state can take about four to five weeks of once-a-week Ozempic doses.
Results showed that patients lost on average up to 14 lb (6.4 kg), although some people also gained weight. Study 1: Patients using Ozempic 0.5 mg dose lost on average 8 lb (3.6 kg), those using 1 mg dose lost 10 lb (4.5 kg), and those taking placebo (an inactive treatment) lost 3 lb (1.4 kg).
The lowest dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg once a week and the maximum dose is 2.0 mg once a week.
How can I maximise my body weight loss on Ozempic? You can assist Ozempic by lowering your overall calorie intake, moving your body where possible and limiting your alcohol consumption.
You'll likely notice some changes in appetite and reductions in food cravings within the first week.
Ozempic is only intended and approved for people with type 2 diabetes. You should not take it solely for weight loss. Doing so may prevent patients who require the medication for blood sugar management from getting it.
A dose of 0.5 to 1 mg per week (double the maximum approved diabetes dose) seems to provide the maximum weight loss benefits for many people using Ozempic off-label. At 1 mg weekly, average weight loss of 3% (6-8 pounds) over 6 months may be achieved when combined with lifestyle changes.
Ozempic® Dosing
Ozempic® is taken once a week, exactly as prescribed by your health care provider, along with diet and exercise, to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. The beginning dose is 0.25 mg once a week for the first 4 weeks.
The starting dose is 0.25 mg semaglutide once weekly. After 4 weeks the dose should be increased to 0.5 mg once weekly. After at least 4 weeks with a dose of 0.5 mg once weekly, the dose can be increased to 1 mg once weekly to further improve glycaemic control.
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.
Because people stop feeling full and their food cravings return when they stop Ozempic, weight gain is likely, Kushner says.
It's been hailed as a “miracle” weight loss drug for people living with obesity. But, as with many medications, it only works for as long as it's used. As soon as someone stops their regular course of semaglutide, their weight is likely to come right back.
So, on average, with the recommended starting Ozempic dose of 0.25 mg, a 500 to 1000 calorie reduced diet, and exercise 3 times a week, you can expect to lose 3-5 pounds in the first month of treatment, which works out to about 3% of body weight for most overweight or obese individuals.
High fat foods or sugary foods
Ozempic can cause nausea and vomiting if taken after eating foods high in fat or sugar. It is recommended that you take Ozempic before meals, rather than after, to minimise any potential side effects from eating high-fat or high-sugar foods.
This pen is intended for treatment initiation at the 0.25 mg dose and maintenance treatment at the 0.5 mg dose. The pen delivers 4 doses of the 0.25 mg and 2 doses of the 0.5 mg strength. It can also deliver 4 doses of the 0.5 mg strength.
An injectable pen that delivers doses of 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg.
The pen contains a total of 2 mg of Ozempic and can last between 1 and 2 months, depending on your dose.
To give yourself the starting dose of 0.25 mg you will need to give yourself 19 clicks.