Description
Ozempic is an injectable medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which is the same as the weight loss injection Wegovy. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist which means it mimics the effects of GLP-1, a hormone released after you eat, to control blood glucose levels and can help you lose weight.
Ozempic is used to help control and reduce high blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes complications such as heart disease.
How does Ozempic work for weight loss?
Ozempic is not currently available for weight loss in the UK. Instead, Wegovy, which contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide, is licensed for weight loss in the UK.
Ozempic and Wegovy belong to a group of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. For blood sugar management, Ozempic works by binding to the GLP-1 receptors in the brain to stimulate the pancreas to release insulin, lowering glucose levels and slowing the release of glucagon (stored sugar) from your liver.
For weight loss, semaglutide works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 which is released when you eat, signalling to your brain you feel full. So, when you inject Wegovy for weight loss, it has a crucial role in regulating your appetite to make you feel full and less hungry. Eventually, this leads to a reduced intake of food and weight loss.
Ozempic dosage for weight loss
The semaglutide dosage is titrated up over 5 months to get your body used to the active ingredient and reduce the risk of side effects.
Because Ozempic isn’t available for weight loss, the Wegovy dosing schedule is shown below:
Can I switch from Ozempic to Wegovy?
If you have already been taking Ozempic, then you should be able to switch to Wegovy by taking the equivalent dose. That’s because Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active ingredients.
For example, if you are currently taking 1 mg of Ozempic per week, you should be able to switch to a weekly 1 mg dose of Wegovy. However, you must do this under the guidance of a clinician.
If you want to switch from Ozempic to Wegovy, complete a short online health consultation, providing our clinicians with all the relevant information about your Ozempic history. Our clinicians can then help you safely switch from Ozempic to Wegovy.
If you are switching to an equivalent dose, you should not experience any new side effects.
Is Ozempic legal in the UK?
Yes, Ozempic is legal in the UK but it is not licensed for weight loss, only for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Some private weight loss clinics may prescribe Ozempic ‘off label’, where medication is prescribed outside the scope of its licence. Although this is legal, it can cause shortages of the medication for the people who need it. Instead, Wegovy is a licensed semaglutide-containing weight loss injection.
Where can I buy Ozempic?
Can I buy Ozempic online for weight loss?
No, but Wegovy is available online for weight loss. Ozempic may be available from some online services for weight loss, but it will be prescribed ‘off label’. The Wegovy dose, however, has been formulated specifically for weight loss, so you can expect to achieve better weight loss with Wegovy.
Can you buy Ozempic over the counter?
No, Ozempic is not available over the counter. Alli is an over-the-counter weight loss tablet that’s available from most UK pharmacies and online without a prescription.
Is Ozempic available on the NHS?
Ozempic is available on the NHS for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but it is not available for weight loss. Ozempic may be available on private prescription from some weight loss clinics. However, Wegovy is an alternative weight loss injection that has been approved for weight loss in the UK, is available on the NHS, and contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic. Orlistat is also available on the NHS for weight loss.
Ozempic side effects
Ozempic side effects are similar to Wegovy’s because they contain the same active ingredient.
Very common Ozempic side effects include:
feeling sick
diarrhoea
low blood sugar
Common Ozempic side effects are: being sick,
low blood sugar
indigestion
gastritis
stomach pain
bloating
burping
gallstones
dizziness
tiredness
gas
Ozempic side effects are usually worse when you first start the medication or when you increase the dose, but they should subside as your body gets used to semaglutide. However, severe side effects like an inflamed pancreas or an allergic reaction will require immediate medical attention.
