What are doctors prescribing instead of Ozempic?

Asked by: Prof. Pauline Hartmann  |  Last update: December 16, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (28 votes)

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.

What is the new alternative to Ozempic for weight loss?

The FDA approved the use of Wegovy as a prescription injection to help patients lose weight in 2021. It provides more Semaglutide than Ozempic and will probably deliver superior results. The risk of side effects will be greater as well.

What is the new drug better than Ozempic?

People who took retatrutide in a clinical trial shed up to 24 percent of their body weight on average, or almost 60 pounds. An experimental medicine appears to offer greater weight loss benefits than any obesity drugs already on the market, including the blockbusters Ozempic and Wegovy.

Which is better Ozempic or Mounjaro?

Mounjaro reduced the A1C by 2% to 2.3% compared to a 1.9% reduction for participants in the semaglutide (Ozempic) 1 mg group. Mounjaro led to weight loss of 7.7 kg (17 lb) to 11.4 kg (25 lb), on average, compared to 5.9 kg (13 lb) for semaglutide (Ozempic).

What prescription is the same as Ozempic?

It's correct that Wegovy and Ozempic are two names for the same drug: semaglutide. Ozempic is the name of the drug as prescribed for people with diabetes.

Doctors explain how Wegovy and Ozempic work | 60 Minutes

16 related questions found

Is Rybelsus better than Ozempic for weight loss?

Rybelsus is the first oral GLP-1 agonist, taken as a daily tablet. Ozempic is administered via subcutaneous injection, either once weekly or twice monthly at higher doses. The oral formulation of Rybelsus may be more convenient and preferable for some, though it provides similar effects as the injectable Ozempic.

What is better weight loss with Ozempic or Wegovy?

Wegovy vs. Ozempic for weight loss: which is better? In a clinical trial that compared weekly use of semaglutide 1 mg and 2.4 mg, semaglutide 2.4 mg (the maximum dose of Wegovy) caused more weight loss than semaglutide 1 mg (the typical maintenance dose of Ozempic).

Is there an alternative to Ozempic?

They may also try other pharmaceutical alternatives to Ozempic semaglutide including metformin, bupropion, phentermine, liraglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, and tirzepatide as recommended by a medical professional.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Ozempic for diabetes?

Metformin is a widely used first-line medication for treating type 2 diabetes and can also be considered a lower-cost alternative to semaglutide (Ozempic). How it works: Metformin works by decreasing hepatic glucose production and increasing insulin sensitivity in muscle cells, which helps lower blood sugar levels.

Do you lose more weight on Mounjaro or Ozempic?

And people taking Mounjaro have been shown to lose more weight than those taking Ozempic. During the same head-to-head trial mentioned above, people taking Mounjaro lost an average of 16 lbs to 25 lbs, depending on their dose. This is compared to people in the Ozempic group who lost an average of about 12 lbs.

Why is Ozempic not covered by insurance?

That said, when Ozempic is prescribed off-label for weight loss, it is often not covered by insurance. Why? Because the Affordable Care Act doesn't mandate that health insurers cover obesity or overweight medications or surgeries.

Which is better Ozempic or Contrave?

Contrave has an average rating of 6.6 out of 10 from a total of 1966 ratings on Drugs.com. 55% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 26% reported a negative effect. Ozempic has an average rating of 5.9 out of 10 from a total of 1001 ratings on Drugs.com.

What happens when you stop taking Ozempic?

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.

Will I gain weight after stopping Ozempic?

You start feeling those usual hunger pangs again, and consequently, you may start eating more to satisfy that hunger. An increase in your consumption can lead to the regaining of weight that was lost. A 2022 study found that most individuals gain weight back a year after stopping the medication.

What is the best injection for weight loss?

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!

How to get Mounjaro for weight loss?

To get Mounjaro for weight loss, a person should speak with a doctor in person or online via a telehealth company. The doctor will decide whether Mounjaro is appropriate for the person's health goals.

Which is better Jardiance or Ozempic?

Jardiance has an average rating of 5.2 out of 10 from a total of 306 ratings on Drugs.com. 39% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 44% reported a negative effect. Ozempic has an average rating of 5.9 out of 10 from a total of 1001 ratings on Drugs.com.

Why is Ozempic out of stock everywhere?

Information for pharmacists

At this stage there is adequate supply of Ozempic for these patients, but stock shortages may continue with increased demand due to off-label prescribing for use in the management of obesity.

How do I get Ozempic for $25 a month?

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).

Is there a difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?

Ozempic is approved to treat Type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is a higher-dose version that's approved for weight loss. They aren't interchangeable. Adults and adolescents ages 12 and older meeting certain body mass index (BMI) criteria may be eligible for Wegovy.

When will Ozempic go generic?

DrugPatentWatch® Generic Entry Outlook for Ozempic

Ozempic was eligible for patent challenges on December 5, 2021. By analyzing the patents and regulatory protections it appears that the earliest date for generic entry will be December 5, 2031. This may change due to patent challenges or generic licensing.

Is Trulicity the same as Ozempic?

Their active ingredients are different

Even though these medications are both GLP-1 agonists, the active ingredient in Trulicity is dulaglutide and the active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide.

How long can you stay on Ozempic?

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.

What does Ozempic do to your face?

“Ozempic face” is a term for common side effects of the type 2 diabetes medication semaglutide (Ozempic). It can cause sagging and aging of facial skin. A doctor may recommend lifestyle modifications or facial fillers to treat these effects.

Can you lose belly fat on Ozempic?

Yes, Ozempic can be used to reduce belly fat. Studies have shown an average weight loss of 7.5% and a reduction in waist circumference by 5.09 cm.