Popular Ozempic alternatives for blood sugar control include Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), and Rybelsus (semaglutide). If you're looking for Ozempic alternatives with the goal of losing weight, Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide) might be an option for you.
Mounjaro is a more effective drug than Ozempic. As demonstrated above, tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro) leads to more clinically significant weight loss and blood sugar reductions than semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic).
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer once-weekly injection for Type 2 diabetes. It works on the same targets in the body as Ozempic, plus an additional target. This results in greater A1C reduction and weight loss compared to Ozempic. However, Mounjaro hasn't been approved for the same cardiovascular benefits yet.
Many people who take Ozempic also experience weight loss, although it is not FDA-approved for this purpose. Other GLP-1 agonists that are alternatives to Ozempic include Byetta, Victoza, Tanzeum, Trulicity, and Mounjaro.
Wegovy is available at a higher dosage (2.4 mg weekly) than Ozempic.
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.
Some of the most effective prescription injectable weight loss medications available include: Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy - these are diabetes drugs originally and now used to treat obesity. Although these injectable drugs can help users lose weight there are some dangers and caveats!
(NewsNation) — A plant-derived supplement called berberine is going viral on social media for being a cheaper, natural alternative to Ozempic for those wanting to lose weight. Posts calling it “nature's Ozempic” have racked up millions of views on TikTok as users claim it can help with weight loss.
If you stop taking Ozempic, the weight you lost will likely return, fast. People who ceased use of semaglutide gained back, on average, a full two-thirds of the weight they had lost on the drug within one year, according to an August 2022 study, the Wall Street Journal reports.
PhenQ – This all-natural weight loss supplement offers almost the same benefits as Ozempic and other semaglutide drugs. It's also more versatile than Ozempic because aside from suppressing appetite, it also boosts metabolism to help patients burn more calories throughout the day.
Jardiance has an average rating of 5.2 out of 10 from a total of 308 ratings on Drugs.com. 39% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 44% reported a negative effect. Ozempic has an average rating of 6.0 out of 10 from a total of 1019 ratings on Drugs.com.
Ozempic® is a more effective drug than Saxenda®. As demonstrated above, semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic®) leads to more clinically significant weight loss and blood sugar reductions than liraglutide (the active ingredient in Saxenda®).
Rybelsus® and Ozempic® are made from the same medication, just in different forms. Therefore, their side effects, the way they work, and treatment effects are very similar.
A 2022 study found that most individuals gain weight back a year after stopping the medication.
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.
Ozempic isn't approved for weight loss. But because of how it works, some people taking Ozempic lose weight as a side effect. If you don't have diabetes, taking Ozempic for weight loss is considered an off-label use. Wegovy, a higher-dose version of Ozempic, is approved to help people manage their weight.
“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).”
For most people, stopping Ozempic (or any medication that's meant to be taken long term) abruptly without a medical reason is not ideal. Stopping Ozempic is not directly harmful, but you may begin to notice weight gain.
Closely related to fried, greasy foods and snacks, highly saturated fats (including trans fats) are known to exacerbate GI issues. Every day staples like whole milk, heavy cream, full-fat cheese, butter, ice cream and most red meats may cause additional gastrointestinal distress for someone on Ozempic.
Yes, you'll lose weight with semaglutide – until you stop taking it. Then, evidence shows you're likely to regain the weight: one year after discontinuing the use of semaglutide, there was significant weight regain among participants. In fact, participants regained two-thirds of their prior weight loss.
Wegovy is one of several new “miracle” drugs that promise to revolutionize the weight-loss industry. Praised by celebrities and social media influencers, Wegovy was approved for use in the U.S., as well as in the U.K.'s free healthcare system, where it will be available to patients in spring 2023.
Like many drugs, the effects don't last after patients go off them, so people tend to regain most of the weight they lost if they stop taking the medication. Grunvald said many patients are under the false impression that they can stop taking Ozempic or Wegovy after they hit their goal weight.
About a third of people who take Ozempic for weight loss will lose 10% or more of their body weight. Most people should expect to lose at least 5% of their starting body weight when using Ozempic for weight loss.