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).
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).
With the Ozempic® Savings Card, you may PAY AS LITTLE AS $25b for a 1-month, 2-month, or 3-month supply for up to 24 months.
The pens for the 1mg and 2 mg doses of Ozempic each contain 4 doses. Note that once the Ozempic pen is opened and used, it should only be used for up to 56 days per the manufacturer's instructions.
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.
Ozempic is also used off-label for weight loss. In particular, it can help reduce the amount of belly fat. This is because Ozempic works by making you feel fuller for longer, which can help you resist overeating by controlling cravings and hunger.
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.
A 2022 study found that most individuals gain weight back a year after stopping the medication.
How Long Can You Stay on Ozempic (semaglutide)? 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.
The bottom line. Most insurance plans cover Ozempic (semaglutide) when it's used as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes. When it's used for weight-loss purposes, however, it's much less likely to be covered.
“GLP-1 medications [like Ozempic] are designed to be taken long-term,” explains Dr. McGowan. “They are chronic medications for the treatment of chronic conditions (both diabetes and obesity).”
PhenQ as an Alternative to Ozempic Weight Loss Medication
Unlike the diabetes drug Ozempic, PhenQ has no harmful side effects and does not require a prescription. It is much more affordable, costing $70 for a 2 month supply compared to $1000 or more per month for Ozempic without insurance.
This carton containing 2 pens can last you a whole month. You would only need this pen if your doctor has prescribed you the higher dose of 1 mg per week of Ozempic injection. Your Ozempic pen should be stored in the refrigerator (between 36°F to 46°F or 2°C to 8°C) until the first time you use it.
The bottom line. If you're having trouble accessing Ozempic, your healthcare provider may recommend an alternative that works in a similar way. For Type 2 diabetes, this may include Rybelsus, Trulicity, or Mounjaro. If you're taking Ozempic off-label for weight loss, Wegovy and Saxenda are two FDA-approved options.
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.
Still, Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications will be most effective for weight loss and blood sugar control when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Generally, eating healthy foods and avoiding foods high in sugar, calories, and unhealthy fats while taking Ozempic helps.
The most common side effect with Ozempic is nausea and occurs in about 15% to 20% of people. Others include vomiting (5% to 9%), diarrhea (8%), stomach-area pain (6% to 7%), and constipation (3% to 7%).
Dr. Louis Aronne, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell Medicine, told "GMA" that rebound weight gain can be common after stopping semaglutide because the drug is no longer working in the body.
The bottom line. There's no evidence that Ozempic (or other forms of semaglutide) cause hair loss. Hair loss was not a reported side effect of taking Ozempic. But rapid weight loss is a known side effect of taking Ozempic, and rapid weight loss can lead to telogen effluvium.
Everybody reacts differently to medication, and the weight loss you experience on Ozempic may differ from someone else's. It can also be due to other factors that help or hinder weight loss progress, such as your diet, activity levels, and other reasons we'll get into below.
The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, which works by inducing satiety. This feeling of being satisfied or “full”, suppresses appetite. This is why it works for weight loss. Semaglutide also helps the pancreas produce insulin, which is how it helps manage type 2 diabetes.