Ozempic for Weight Loss: Does It Really Work?

06/19/2025

What is Ozempic Prescribed for?

Ozempic comes as a prescription drug that comes with an active ingredient identified as Semaglutide. It belongs to the drug class known as GLP-1 agonist, which is prescribed to tackle a wide range of complications in people living with type-2 diabetes. It is available as an injection, which is given once a week by your healthcare provider under the skin. It is effective in managing the following conditions in people with type-2 diabetes:

• To minimize the risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, in people with heart disease

• To manage the elevated blood sugar levels in combination with a healthy diet & regular exercise

• To prevent the worsening of kidney health and kidney failure

In addition to the above, it may also be prescribed for purposes not listed here. One of its prominent off-label uses is weight management, which is not yet approved by the FDA. Ozempic comes with a box warning; therefore, use it only as directed by your doctor.

Ozempic is a brand-name medication with no generic equivalent. This medication got approval from the FDA back in 2017.

How Does Ozempic Function?

In order to address the increased blood sugar in people with type-2 diabetes, this medication functions in three major ways that are as follows:

• Encouraging the pancreas to increase the production and release of insulin, especially post-meal

• Stopping your liver from discharging the stored sugar

• Delaying the food movement through your stomach makes you full for longer and prevents a spike in blood sugar.

In other words, it mimics the mechanism of a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). By activating this naturally produced hormone, Ozempic assists in stimulating the pancreas to release insulin.

Note: This medication is not prescribed for type-1 diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis. Kindly meet your doctor to find the treatment that stands in line with your condition. 

Is it safe to use Ozempic for Weight Management?

The active ingredient in Ozempic has been shown to be beneficial for weight management in some studies. People who are either overweight or obese should also continue with other lifestyle changes, such as eating right and exercising daily.

Ozempic for weight loss is not approved by the FDA. You can opt for Wegovy, which contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic, i.e., Semaglutide, and is FDA-approved for weight management. 

If you are using these drugs to lose weight, your body might get used to the medication over time or develop resistance. This can cause your weight to plateau. If you stop taking the medication, you may gain back the weight you lost while using it.

Both drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy, are manufactured by the same company. Wegovy received FDA approval in 2021 for chronic weight management.  Wegovy was specifically designed for this purpose and has an active ingredient in higher doses compared to Ozempic. On the other hand, Ozempic has Semaglutide in lower doses and is majorly prescribed for type-2 diabetes. 

Semaglutide for obesity works in more than one way, such as:

• Suppressing appetite

• Increasing the feeling of fullness

• Interfering with the process of fat absorption

If you take Ozempic instead of Wegovy for weight management, you may stumble upon a wide range of complications. Ozempic is indicated for type-2 diabetes, not weight management. 

What are the side Effects of Ozempic?

The side effects associated with Ozempic are categorized into common and serious based on their severity. Common side effects are mild and usually fade out on their own without any medical intervention. As soon as the body gets accustomed to the medication, the common side effects will wear off. In case they worsen, multiply, or become bothersome, please report your doctor immediately. On the other hand, serious side effects are reported rarely, but the possibility can’t be ruled out entirely. 

Common side effects that the use of Ozempic drug may bring about are the following:

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Nausea

Serious side effects that you may come across due to the use of Ozempic are as follows: 

• Diabetic retinopathy

• Hypoglycaemia

• Gallbladder disease

• Pancreatitis

• Risk of thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer 

What Precautions do you need to follow while using Ozempic? 

There are some preventive measures that you are bound to abide by throughout the treatment to decrease the risk of associated risks and get the maximum results. If you have any concerns regarding the precautions laid down, please ask your healthcare provider:

Allergies to ingredients:

If you are allergic to any of the active/inactive ingredients of this medication, kindly refrain from its use. If used despite being aware of this, this may induce a serious allergic reaction or other problems. The doctor may prescribe you other possible treatments that stand in line with your personal needs. 

Endocrine condition or thyroid condition:

Refrain from the use of this medication if you or your family member has had MTC (medullary thyroid carcinoma or if you have a condition known as MEN-2 (Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type-2).  You are requested to let your doctor know your current and past medical conditions, along with your family medical history.

Current medications:

Make sure to share the list of the medications you may already be taking, including prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, & herbal products. This will allow the medic to determine if it is safe for you or not.

Future surgeries and other medical procedures:

If you have an upcoming surgery or procedure, please inform the doctor about your use of Ozempic. This medication is known for slowing down the movement of food through your digestive system. The risk of food getting into your lungs during anesthesia or sedation may be higher.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding:

The safety of this medication (Ozempic) during pregnancy has not been studied. If you are pregnant or planning to become one, please let your doctor know about it. The safety of this drug has not been established in breastfeeding women. Therefore, please consult your doctor to know if it is safe for you and your baby or not.   

Conclusion: 

Ozempic is one of the popular medications that is primarily prescribed for type-2 diabetes. However, some people also use it for weight management, which the FDA does not approve.  The FDA has approved Wegovy, which has the same active ingredient as Ozempic but in higher doses for weight management. Using any of these drugs without consulting your doctor may bring about a set of unwanted consequences. Weight management medications are typically recommended in conjunction with lifestyle modifications, for instance, a healthy diet and regular exercise. Using Ozempic for weight loss may cause serious harm to your overall health. Therefore, have a proper consultation with your medic before you use this drug.

FAQs:

1. Is it worth taking Ozempic for weight loss?

Ozempic is prescribed for type 2 diabetes, which can lead to weight reduction as an adverse effect due to its mechanism of appetite suppression. If the primary goal is weight management, the doctor will prescribe you Wegovy, which has the same active ingredient as Ozempic but in higher dosages.

2. How much weight can you lose in a month on Ozempic?

In a study, people who received weekly semaglutide injections lost an average of 15 pounds after three months and approximately 27 pounds after six months. This means they lost around 5 pounds each month.

3. How quickly do you lose weight on Ozempic?

It has been observed that significant weight loss typically takes between 30 to 68 weeks. Other factors may also influence your overall weight reduction, such as your starting weight, diet, and exercise habits. On average, people lose around 5 pounds every month with weekly Ozempic injections.

4. Does Ozempic help you lose belly fat?

Yes, this medication, named Ozempic, also helps with belly fat, which is medically known as visceral fat. However, you shouldn’t take it as a targeted weight loss treatment as it reduces the overall body fat, including belly fat.

5. How long does it take for Ozempic to reduce your appetite?

Ozempic may take about 12 weeks to show full effects, but results may vary from one person to another for a variety of reasons.  2mg once per week is the maximum recommended dosage.