How to Get Ozempic for Weight Loss: A Step-by-Step Guide

Losing weight is something that so many people have attempted throughout their lifetime. It’s a journey that can frequently feel difficult, overwhelming, and hard to manage. Often, those who are already dealing with pre-existing conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes find weight reduction especially difficult. Prescription medications like Ozempic, which is FDA-approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, have recently come into the limelight for their potential role in weight management.

In this step-by-step guide on how to get Ozempic for weight control, you will find key information, insights on what to expect from doctor’s consultations, and advice on the questions you should be asking before deciding if Ozempic is the right drug for you.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a branded medication, given as a weekly injection, that is only available with a prescription from your healthcare provider. The FDA has not approved Ozempic for weight loss, however, another version, branded as Wegovy, is approved for weight loss.

Ozempic's primary use is for the management of type 2 diabetes, and it contains an active ingredient called semaglutide, which belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists.

While it might sound like very technical medical terminology, the mechanism of semaglutide action is fairly simple. It helps with blood sugar control by increasing the secretion of insulin in the body and reducing the amount of sugar the liver releases into the body. Ozempic also increases satiety and slows down digestion by delaying the emptying of food from the stomach into the small intestines.

How does Ozempic aid in weight loss?

In addition to its use as a diabetes medication for insulin regulation, management of triglyceride (type of fat) levels, and blood pressure, Ozempic has gained momentum for its effects on weight loss. It essentially mimics a hormone in the body called GLP-1, which can also target an area of the brain that deals with appetite, food intake, and satiety. The ways in which Ozempic may help contribute toward weight reduction include:

1. Curbing appetite. By diminishing hunger pangs and enhancing feelings of satiety, Ozempic may lead to reduced calorie consumption.
2. Boosting metabolism. It may help the body burn fat more efficiently and may also improve insulin utilization.

What does the science say?

Although Ozempic is endorsed by many celebrities and influencers as a quick weight loss wonder drug, it’s important to use your discretion and check in with the most current research.

In a 2022 review and meta-analysis, researchers looked at eight randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of semaglutide on weight loss in overweight or obese adults without diabetes. They found that patients taking the drug experienced significant body fat reduction compared to the placebo group.

While this does hold promise, it’s important to note that these studies were not conducted specifically with Ozempic but rather with the active ingredient, semaglutide. Therefore, the results cannot be attributed to the branded drug itself.

In another double-blind study of 1,961 adults with overweight and obesity, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers reported substantial weight loss in participants taking semaglutide.

However, although this study notes that the participants who achieved significant weight loss were also subject to lifestyle interventions, those interventions are not listed. It’s also worth pointing out that adverse effects such as nausea and diarrhea were listed among those given the medication.

How to get Ozempic for weight loss

Like the majority of medications, you aren’t able to simply visit a pharmacy and pick Ozempic straight off the shelf. In order to obtain a prescription, you will have to follow a few steps.

1. Consulting a healthcare provider

You will need to book an appointment with a healthcare professional who is registered to provide prescriptions. To make sure you are properly prepared for your appointment, here are some considerations to keep in mind before you go:

Preparing for the appointment

Before you meet with your doctor or healthcare team, make sure you’ve gathered all your relevant health information, including medical history, current medications, previous attempts at weight loss, and a record of your diet and exercise habits.

What to expect at your initial appointment

In order to find out if Ozempic is the right drug for you, your doctor will take you through a thorough healthcare assessment that will most likely include the following tests:

• Measuring your BMI (body mass index) to make sure you fit the BMI requirements for Ozempic
• Checking your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Discussing your weight loss goals and previous efforts

What to ask

The following table gives you an indication of the kinds of questions your doctor might ask and the best questions for you to ask your doctor before you decide if Ozempic is appropriate for you:

2. Alternative methods

For some people, making a trip to the healthcare center isn’t possible or convenient, so there are other avenues to try to get evaluated for using Ozempic for weight loss:

• Telemedicine consultations. Telemedicine has grown in popularity over recent years and allows you to have consultations with registered healthcare providers using video calls. This might be a more convenient way for some people to obtain a prescription for Ozempic.
• Online medical services. There are several online platforms that offer robust medical evaluations for weight loss medication prescriptions. You will most likely have to fill out a highly detailed online health questionnaire that may be followed up with a virtual meeting with a licensed physician.

Who qualifies for Ozempic?

Not everyone who wants to take Ozempic for weight loss will qualify for the prescription. As mentioned previously, Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss, therefore, according to the prescriber's discretion and other contributing factors, there may be other more suitable options that are licensed for weight loss. Doctors also have to be incredibly careful of any contraindications and pre-existing conditions before deciding the best treatment option.

Criteria for prescription

In order for your doctor to consider a prescription for Ozempic, you generally need to meet certain criteria during your health assessments, which include:

• A BMI of 30 or higher (obesity criteria)
• A BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol
• In some cases, doctors might consider lower BMIs if there are significant health risks involved
  

Contraindications and precautions

Despite the reported effectiveness of Ozempic, it isn't safe for everyone. Because of possible contraindications, it is absolutely vital that you bring your complete medical history to your healthcare provider. It’s their job to keep you safe, and that’s only possible if they have all the necessary information.

Contraindications for Ozempic include the following conditions:

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
• Severe gastrointestinal disease
• Pancreatitis

Advice for purchasing Ozempic

Once you have your prescription, it’s incredibly important to fulfill your purchase at reputable pharmacies. The FDA is currently investigating fake Ozempic pens, so ask your healthcare practitioner for pharmacy verification recommendations to ensure you are getting your medication from a trusted source. Online medication purchase is possible, but again, it’s best to ask your doctor or pharmacist for safe online buying recommendations rather than just randomly searching the internet.

How to ask a doctor for Ozempic

Speaking to a healthcare provider about weight loss struggles and health goals can make some people feel vulnerable. It’s okay to be nervous; remember that doctors are trained professionals who are used to hearing people open up about their issues. They are here to help you and guide you along your journey — being open and honest with them is crucial.

If you don’t qualify for Ozempic, then they will offer the best advice for alternative treatments, strategies, and lifestyle interventions to help you. Ozempic isn’t the only weight loss treatment available, and there might be another approach that is better suited to you and your needs.

Final thoughts on using Ozempic for weight loss

While research into the use of semaglutide for type 2 diabetes management is robust, there aren’t enough longitudinal studies on participants without diabetes. It’s still a fairly new drug in the weight loss market and has a significant amount of hype from celebrities and influencers. Looking to the world of celebrities for body image inspiration isn’t the healthiest way to get motivated. They often have a many-pronged approach that involves expensive, private dietitians, personal trainers, and a whole healthcare team dedicated to them.

Before you decide to try and get an Ozempic prescription for weight loss, it’s absolutely crucial to have a consultation with a registered physician who can offer you advice and a wealth of expertise about other potential avenues. Your wellness journey needs a whole system approach that includes an in-depth look into your diet and lifestyle habits. There are many factors that influence weight management, so make sure that you are exploring all the options and support systems available to help you achieve your health goals safely, effectively, and sustainably.