"As we live in what has been dubbed “The Ozempic era,” it may seem like a nightmare that diet culture and weight-loss-at-all-costs mindsets we thought we left in the early 2010s are back. Our goal at The Everygirl is to help women live their happiest lives, and we create “weight” content that mirrors that: feeling confident in a bathing suit in the body you currently have, how to stop obsessing about weight loss, and this beautiful story where a writer shared how she learned to love her body after gaining 40 pounds (quite the opposite perspective than you may see on TikTok where most content is centered around how you’ll feel better only after losing pounds).
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But the Ozempic craze has gotten hard to ignore. And trust me, as the Senior Wellness Editor, I’ve tried. Amidst some genuinely healthy weight loss advice and debunking damaging trends, I’ve focused our content on what I think is truly the root cause of the weight loss craze: not feeling good enough as we are and deeply rooted self-esteem and body image issues. However, some of the questions we get asked most commonly by readers and listeners alike are still about how to lose weight—specifically, the ever-rising popularity of the weight loss drug Ozempic. At the end of the day, our goal is to provide research-backed insight to help you live your healthiest life (whatever that means to you) without telling you what health goals are and are not right for you—weight loss included. So, if weight loss is your goal, we want to offer positive, healthy, and research-backed information (which seems rare these days) that can be beneficial instead of harmful.
The purpose of this article is not to encourage weight loss but to debunk misconceptions, provide clarity, and offer factual insight on a topic you’ve probably heard about from social media or the news. But before we get into it, I want you to read these words: You are good enough. Your body is good enough. No, most of us do not need to lose weight. And if you need clarity on confusing messaging that is everywhere these days or if weight loss medication is the right decision for you, I have your back, too. I did extensive research on all things Ozempic to bring you the most accurate, useful information possible.
“The purpose of this article is not to encourage weight loss but to debunk misconceptions and offer factual insight on a topic you’ve probably heard about from social media…”
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a weekly injection prescription containing semaglutide, a peptide that mimics the effects of GLP-1, which is a hormone that affects glucose. It helps improve blood sugar and lowers hemoglobin A1C (a measure of blood glucose) over time. Ozempic was approved in 2017 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults with type 2 diabetes. While Ozempic is not specifically labeled as a weight management drug, it has gained popularity for its ability to promote weight loss, and studies sponsored by Ozempic’s parent company show that people who take semaglutide may lose weight.
What is the difference between Ozempic and other popular “weight loss” drugs?
There are other brand names of semaglutide you may have heard of, and the biggest difference is what they’re prescribed for. Ozempic is prescribed for type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is prescribed for weight management (Wegovy was approved by the FDA in 2021 for chronic weight management in individuals with a body mass index of 30 and higher or 27 and higher in individuals with a weight-related health condition). However, most semiglutide medications (also called GLP-1s for the hormones they mimic) are more or less the same since they’re made of the same peptide, but their dose may vary (for example, there are 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide in Wegovy compared 0.5-2 milligrams in Ozempic).
Another popular medication is Mounjaro, which also works by mimicking the effects of GLP-1 but is made up of a different peptide (tirzepatide rather than semaglutide). Mounjaro also mimics a second hormone that affects glucose, called GIP. Although Mounjaro is only approved by the FDA in treating type 2 diabetes, a 2022 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine that compared Ozempic and Mounjaro found that people who took Mounjaro lost significantly more weight than those who took Ozempic.
How does a Semaglutide like Ozempic work?
By affecting hunger hormones
Semaglutide works by mimicking the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1, which affects weight loss in two ways. First, semaglutide impacts weight by affecting hunger centers in the brain, which reduces hunger and cravings and slows the rate of the stomach emptying to make you full quicker while eating and stay fuller for longer. “When we eat, the food will travel down into the intestine,” explained Dr. Adrienne Youdim, MD, FACP, an internal medicine specialist who served as medical director of the Cedars-Sinai Weight Loss Center before opening her own weight loss practice in Beverly Hills. “The gut will then release GLP-1 hormone, which signals to the brain to shut off that hunger signal.”
Having more GLP-1 than naturally occurs through semaglutide means the brain gets the signals of fullness quicker while eating and stays fuller for longer. This may also impact cravings as well. “For some people, their reward circuits are turned down too, so food is not as entertaining or enticing as before,” described Dr. Meghan Garcia-Webb, MD, a weight medicine doctor at Weight Medicine MD. “They don’t crave food much, if at all. So people find they are just thinking about food less as well.”
By impacting blood glucose
Secondly, semaglutide also works by impacting blood glucose. “When we eat food, we need insulin to process the glucose from that food,” Dr. Youdim told me on The Everygirl Podcast. “GLP-1 sends a signal to the pancreas (the organ that makes insulin), and insulin is a hormone that helps metabolize sugar. So this hormone tells your pancreas to send more insulin because it needs to manage blood sugar.”
“Ozempic increases insulin production in response to meals, ensuring that blood sugar levels rise less after eating,” agreed registered dietician, Shannon Cook, MS, RD, LD. “It also decreases the amount of glucose produced by the liver, contributing further to lowering blood sugar levels.” This impacts weight because excess blood sugar can trigger the body to store excess glucose as fat and imbalanced blood sugar levels result in cravings. Better blood sugar management through more GLP-1 translates to less glucose stored as fat and blood sugar spikes that lead to cravings.
How much weight do you lose on Ozempic?
In clinical trials, people taking Ozempic lost an average of 13–15 pounds in the first 10 months of taking the medication. In another study with people who have type 2 diabetes, 37–66 percent of people lost at least 5 percent of their body weight and 13–26 percent of people lost at least 10 percent of their body weight while taking semaglutide. Weight loss also seems to be dependent on dose. In another trial, people on lower doses lost less weight than participants using higher doses. Dr. Youdim also emphasized that while it is not discussed as often, 15-20 percent of people on semaglutide don’t lose any weight. How much weight you can lose on semaglutide is different for everyone. Of course—on or off the drug—weight loss also varies by lifestyle habits such as exercise, nutrition, stress, and sleep.
What are the cons of Ozempic?
Digestive symptoms
All the experts I talked to cited digestive upset as the most likely side effect. “Side effects are a big downside for many patients,” Dr. Garcia-Webb shared. “Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and excess gas. If you have reflux, it may get worse (although with weight loss, it could also get better).” “The most common side effects include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation,” Cook agreed. “These symptoms are typically mild, often decrease over time, and should completely disappear once you eventually stop taking the medication.” Cook suggested seeing a registered dietician while taking the medication so that you’re eating to support and potentially limit digestive symptoms.
Thyroid problems or other serious complications
While more rare, the experts I talked to cited more serious potential side effects. “Ozempic can also cause more serious side effects, including pancreatitis, kidney problems, and allergic reactions,” Cook shared. “Some patients may experience changes in vision or an increased risk of thyroid tumors.” “Less common but potentially serious side effects include acute pancreatitis, acute cholecystitis, kidney injury, worsened diabetic retinopathy, thyroid C-cell tumors, and others,” agreed Dr. Jennie Stanford, an obesity medicine physician at Drugwatch. Dr. Standford advised that anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia type II should not take this medication. Discuss with your doctor to see your personalized risk.
It is not intended for short-term use
While individuals may lose weight while on the drug, this does not ensure that you will keep the weight off or continue losing weight when you go off the drug. “Unfortunately, if you stop taking semaglutide, it stops working,” warned Dr. Standfard. “Studies show that when someone stops their GLP-1 medication, the weight eventually comes back on. It’s important to think of them as lifelong medications.” Dr. Youdim agreed, explaining it is meant to be taken long-term to serve as a chronic treatment for a chronic condition. If you are a candidate for semiglutide, make sure you are comfortable being on the drug long-term or create an individualized plan with your healthcare team.
Is Ozempic a good option for weight loss?
Dr. Youdim explained that semaglutides are commonly called “weight loss drugs,” but they are actually “anti-obesity drugs,” meaning they are meant for individuals who have at least 30 pounds of excess weight or weight-related health conditions. They are not meant to lose a “few extra pounds.” “The majority of influencers and entertainment people who are talking about the drug want to lose 10 pounds… They are not the right candidates for this drug,” she cautioned on The Everygirl Podcast. “And that’s really important because it sets off this frenzy of everybody wanting to use it as a weight loss drug when it’s really an anti-obesity drug.”
Also, Ozempic is meant to be part of a health plan, not the entire plan. “Sustainable weight loss typically requires ongoing lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, and Ozempic should be part of a comprehensive weight management plan,” Cook advised. “It is truly just one tool in your toolbox for overall healthy fat loss.”
Ozempic can help minimize weight-related conditions, lessen food noise, and ultimately cause weight loss, but it is only recommended for people with type 2 diabetes or as recommended by their doctor for weight management. If you think taking semaglutide may be right for your health goals, always talk to your doctor about potential risks and effectiveness for your body.
Does insurance cover Ozempic?
The short answer: It depends. Most insurance plans only cover Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and not weight loss, and Wegovy (which is FDA-approved for weight loss) is not typically covered by insurance. Providers may prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight management, but it is unlikely that insurance will cover these costs. “Ozempic and Wegovy are both brand names for the medication semaglutide, but if your doctor prescribes Ozempic and you don’t have diabetes, there is a much higher risk that your insurance will reject it,” advised Dr. Garcia-Webb. If you are looking to use Ozempic as a treatment for diabetes, some plans require you to try other treatments before it will cover the cost of Ozempic. According to its website, a .05mg dose of Ozempic costs around $935, and you need a prescription even if you are planning to pay out of pocket.
Is there any truth to “Ozempic dupes?”
From Berberine being dubbed “nature’s Ozempic” to the trendy (albeit misleading) rice-zempic, there is no shortage of internet trends using the buzzworthy drug to market supplements and DIYs that are supposedly “Ozempic dupes,” or mimic the same effects. So, are they effective? “While many supplements have the potential to promote weight loss (with varying levels of evidence to support those results), no supplement can be an Ozempic alternative,” Dr. Standford warned. Bottom line: If anything promises Ozempic-like results, run.
However, there are some natural ingredients and supplements that can support the production or effectiveness of GLP-1 since the body naturally makes the hormone on its own. The ingredients and supplements just will not have the same drastic results people expect from Ozempic. Dr. Standfard cited increasing dietary fiber, omega-3 fatty acids (like walnuts, flaxseeds, or salmon), fermented foods, and protein may help improve GLP-1 effectiveness. Much more research is needed, but she also listed berberine, curcumin, resveratrol, and probiotics as having the potential to positively affect GLP-1 (again, not in the same drastic capacity as semaglutide and therefore not a “dupe”). Let’s also not forget that the body is meant to keep itself healthy without the help of supplements or “dupes.” For many people, hunger hormones tell us when the body needs nutrients, and that’s an important part of health, too—suppressing them may not always be the healthiest thing to do.
Please consult a doctor or a mental health professional before beginning or stopping any treatments, supplements, or medications. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.
Experts Consulted:
Dr. Adrienne Youdim is an internist who specializes in medical weight loss and nutrition. She served as medical director of the Cedars-Sinai Weight Loss Center before opening her own practice in Beverly Hills. She is also author of Hungry For More. Listen to Dr. Youdim on The Everygirl Podcast.
Dr. Meghan Garcia-Webb is triple board-certified in internal medicine, lifestyle medicine, and obesity medicine. She currently serves as a weight medicine doctor at Weight Medicine MD. Her innovative private practice combines concierge weight medicine with life coaching, and she is also an internist at an academic medical center in Boston, MA.
Shannon Cook is a registered dietitian at Fay who has worked with athletes at all ages and levels, including NFL, NBA, MLB, collegiate, and high school athletes. She has collaborated with teams such as University of Louisville Football and the Miami Marlins.
Dr. Jennie Stanford is a double board-certified physician specializing in family medicine and obesity medicine. Her extensive clinical experience encompasses traditional clinic practice, hospitalist care and a specialized focus on obesity medicine.