Ozempic (semaglutide)

Ozempic can be prescribed for adults with type 2 diabetes to:

• lower certain risks in people who also have heart disease, including heart attack and stroke
• help manage blood sugar levels, along with lifestyle improvements in diet and exercise
• prevent worsening kidney function and heart-related death in people who also have chronic kidney disease (CKD)

To learn more about Ozempic’s approved uses, see the “What is Ozempic used for?” section.

Doctors may also prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss or weight management. (With off-label use, a drug that’s approved for certain conditions is prescribed for another purpose.) However, the drug is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this purpose.

Ozempic basics

Ozempic contains the active ingredient semaglutide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

Ozempic is a brand-name medication that’s not currently available in generic form.

Ozempic has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “What should be considered before taking Ozempic?” section.

What is Ozempic used for?

Ozempic is FDA approved to:

• Help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with lifestyle improvements in diet and exercise.
• Lower the risk of certain heart or blood vessel problems in adults who have both heart disease and diabetes. These risks can include heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart or blood vessel issues.
• Lower the risk of kidney disease progression and heart-related death in adults with diabetes and CKD.

With diabetes, you have elevated blood sugar levels. Over time, this can damage blood vessels in your body.

Ozempic helps lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of certain heart and blood vessel problems.

Note: There are some limitations to how Ozempic can be used. These are as follows:

• This drug hasn’t been studied in people who have had pancreatitis in the past. (With pancreatitis, you have inflammation in your pancreas.) Other treatments should be considered if you’ve had this condition.
• Ozempic isn’t meant to treat type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). (DKA is a dangerous condition that occurs when you have a high level of acidic substances called ketones in your body.)

Doctors might prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss. (With off-label use, a drug that’s approved for certain conditions is prescribed for another purpose.) However, the drug is not approved by the FDA for this purpose. (For more information, see the section of this article called “Is Ozempic used for weight loss?”)

How does Ozempic work?

Ozempic works in several ways to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The drug also lowers heart-related risks in people with both diabetes and heart disease.

The drug does this in the following ways:

• Ozempic mimics the actions of a naturally produced hormone called GLP-1. By activating GLP-1 receptors in your brain, Ozempic helps stimulate the pancreas to release insulin.
• Similar to the GLP-1 hormone, Ozempic slows the movement of food through your stomach. This causes you to feel full for longer periods of time. In turn, it prevents a big increase in your blood sugar levels and can lead to fewer hunger cravings.
• It increases the amount of insulin your body makes after a meal so that your blood sugar levels won’t get too high. Insulin is a hormone that lowers your blood sugar levels.
• It lowers the amount of sugar released into your bloodstream.

Your doctor or a pharmacist can provide details about how Ozempic works in the body.

What are Ozempic’s side effects?

Like most drugs, Ozempic may cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists describe some of the more common side effects reported with Ozempic. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Ozempic. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects. For more details, see this article about Ozempic’s side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects reported with Ozempic. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or read Ozempic’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Ozempic can include:

• constipation
• diarrhea
• abdominal pain
• vomiting
• nausea*

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How is Ozempic taken?

Your doctor will explain how to use Ozempic. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often to inject it. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Taking Ozempic

Ozempic comes as a liquid solution inside prefilled, disposable pens.

You’ll be able to inject doses of Ozempic yourself. Your doctor or pharmacist can show you how to do this when you first start treatment.

Ozempic injections are given under the skin in your thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. Be sure to rotate the injection site each time you take the medication. You should also use a new needle for each injection. This will help you avoid infections.

Ask your doctor for suggestions to help you feel comfortable and confident managing your injections. Be sure to follow their instructions.

This list contains a few tips you should follow:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before starting.
• Have all your supplies ready, including your Ozempic dose.
• Change the needle every time you use the Ozempic pen.
• Check the pen to make sure that the medication inside is clear and colorless.
• Double-check that the dose is correct on your pen before giving your injection.
• Keep track of your doses and make sure you have a full dose left in your pen after each injection.
• Do not share your pen with anyone else.
• Record the date that your Ozempic prefilled pens should be discarded. (They expire 56 days after opening.)

For instructions on how to use Ozempic, see the manufacturer’s site. Or ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how to use Ozempic pens.

Taking Ozempic with other drugs

Your doctor may prescribe Ozempic with other medications to help manage your blood sugar levels or lower your risk of cardiovascular problems.

Other diabetes medications that may be prescribed with Ozempic include metformin (Glumetza, Riomet) and empagliflozin (Jardiance).

If you’d like to know more about taking other drugs with Ozempic, talk with your doctor.

Is Ozempic used for weight loss?

Ozempic is not approved by the FDA for use as a weight management medication. But you might lose weight while you’re taking Ozempic. That’s because the medication decreases your appetite.

In some cases, Ozempic is prescribed off-label for weight management, though this isn’t likely. (With off-label use, a drug that’s approved for certain conditions is prescribed for another purpose.) It’s more likely that your doctor would prescribe Wegovy, which contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic, called semaglutide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Wegovy is FDA approved to be prescribed for weight management.

Insurance may not cover off-label uses of Ozempic. Ask your doctor for more information.

If you’re interested in using semaglutide for weight management, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the best medication for you and whether it’s appropriate to prescribe Ozempic off-label.

How Ozempic may lead to weight loss

Ozempic may lead to weight loss because:

• It slows down how quickly your stomach empties after eating. This slows your digestion process and can help you feel fuller for longer.
• The drug mimics a hormone called GLP-1 that your body naturally produces. This hormone increases feelings of satiety (feeling full or satisfied after eating).

These effects can also decrease your appetite. For details about how Ozempic works, you can refer to the “How does Ozempic work?” section.

Is Ozempic safe and effective for weight loss? How much weight could I lose with Ozempic?

As long as you use Ozempic as your doctor prescribes, it should be safe for weight loss. However, the drug is not approved by the FDA for this purpose.

The amount of weight you might lose during Ozempic treatment depends on various factors, including how long you use Ozempic and your diet and exercise routine. It also depends on how your body responds to the drug.

For more information about Ozempic’s effectiveness for weight loss, talk with your doctor. They can discuss Ozempic’s studies in more detail and how your lifestyle might affect your weight management treatment.