Ozempic is a weekly injection that helps lower blood sugar by helping the pancreas make more insulin. It is not approved for weight loss, but some physicians prescribe it to be used for weight loss.
The FDA has approved Ozempic for people with type 2 diabetes only. However, healthcare professionals may prescribe this medication “off-label” for weight loss. Off-label use means that, while the drug may be effective, the FDA has not approved it specifically for the purpose a doctor has prescribed.
How to Get Ozempic in Australia. Ozempic is a highly sought after drug for managing diabetes and weight management, but it is important to know that it is prescription only. In Australia, this means you will need to speak with your doctor and have a prescription written up before you can start taking Ozempic.
Why the Ozempic shortage happened. The worldwide shortage of semaglutide started to affect Australia in early 2022 when Novo Nordisk couldn't supply enough Ozempic to meet an unexpected increase in demand due to off-label prescribing for weight loss.
The availability of Ozempic (semaglutide) in Australia continues to improve and the supplier, Novo Nordisk, anticipates steady ongoing supply.
If you have private or commercial insurance, such as insurance you receive through an employer, you may be eligible to pay as little as $25 for a 1-, 2-, or 3-month prescription (maximum savings of $150 per 1-month prescription, $300 per 2-month prescription, or $450 per 3-month prescription).
However, Ozempic is not intended for people without diabetes to take, and its side effects can be severe. If you are looking to take a weight loss drug that is approved for people without diabetes, talk with your doctor who can give you options.
On average, a user can lose about 3 to 5% of their body weight after using Ozempic for a month regularly. This equates to about 4 to 6 pounds on average. Using a higher potency of the drug may result in more weight loss, but it isn't recommended that you start taking it right away.
A person can stay on Ozempic® so long as they are tolerating the medication and it is deemed appropriate by their treating provider. There is no specific time frame when someone should stop taking Ozempic as it is a medication that is intended for chronic (long-term) use.
Once you begin using Ozempic, some people can find it takes several weeks to see any weight loss, yet others may see some weight loss within a week or 2. While it can be difficult, try to remain patient — change looks different for everyone.
You may need a higher dosage of Ozempic
The same holds true for Ozempic's weight loss results. People taking higher doses of Ozempic tend to lose more weight. In the landmark study we cited above, people lost 7% of their body weight, on average, within a year and a half of taking 1mg of semaglutide.
On the PBS, Ozempic costs Australians about $42 a month (four weekly injections). On a private prescription, the cost is about $132 a month. According to the medical news website WebMD, Ozempic can cost uninsured Americans more than a $US1000 a month and many flock to Canada to save $US700 a month.
Ozempic (semaglutide) is used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. There are currently no generic alternatives for Ozempic. Ozempic is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices could help offset the cost.
The diabetes drug Ozempic will cost you roughly $1,000 a month in the United States. It's a whopping sticker price. And if you're using it for weight loss, insurance is unlikely to cover it, even if your doctor thinks it could really improve your health.
If you qualify for insurance coverage, Ozempic can cost as little as $25 for a monthly supply. However, without insurance, Ozempic costs around $892.06 per month, on average (NovoCare-a, 2022). However, savings programs can sometimes help lower the cost of the medication if you qualify.
Although there are no specific rules or diets to accompany using Ozempic, reducing the number of processed foods in your diet whilst increasing fibre-rich whole foods can help with lowering your overall calorie intake.
The most common side effects of Ozempic, according to the drug's website, are nausea, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea and vomiting. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, told CBS News that the drugs "are a well-established class of medicines, which have demonstrated long-term safety in clinical trials.
Weight loss medicines that are available in Australia include orlistat, phentermine and liraglutide. These medicines have been shown to help achieve and maintain weight loss when used in combination with lifestyle change.
Key points: Ozempic® is more effective than Saxenda® at supporting weight loss and blood sugar reductions. Ozempic® seems to lead to fewer side effects and is better tolerated than Saxenda®. However, individuals will vary in their response to medications, so choose the right one for you.
Semaglutide, which is taken as a weekly injection that is self-administered, helps people with type 2 diabetes to control their blood sugar and in many cases also lose weight.
This medicine was verified as being available on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) on July 1, 2023. To learn more about this subsidy, visit the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) website.