How to get prescribed Ozempic for weight loss

Many people choose medications like Ozempic as a potential weight loss solution. If you’re considering Ozempic for weight loss, it’s important to understand how to get a prescription and use it safely. In this article, we guide you through how to get prescribed Ozempic for weight loss and provide the information you need to make an informed decision about incorporating this once-weekly injection into your routine. 

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Is Ozempic approved for weight loss?

Ozempic isn’t approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss. The FDA approved the well-known brand-name weight loss medication in 2017 to treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), but T2DM is the only condition Ozempic is approved for. While Ozempic isn’t approved by the FDA for weight loss, some healthcare providers may prescribe Ozempic for weight loss.

Who may qualify for an Ozempic prescription?

Ozempic is FDA-approved for adults (18+) with type 2 diabetes to:

• Improve blood sugar when combined with diet and exercise.
• Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and related complications.
• Slow the progression of kidney disease.

Unlike Wegovy, Ozempic is not limited to those with obesity or excess weight. However, Wegovy may be an option if you have type 2 diabetes and are medically overweight.

Which healthcare providers can prescribe Ozempic?

Any licensed healthcare provider can prescribe Ozempic. This most often includes physicians, physician assistants/associates (PAs), and nurse practitioners (NPs) in primary care (general practice or family medicine). You can also get an Ozempic prescription from a specialist, such as an endocrinologist or weight loss (bariatric) specialist. Many providers offer telehealth consultations and other online weight loss services, though an in-person exam or lab work may be required for treatment.

After a healthcare provider deems Ozempic appropriate and safe for you, they’ll give you a prescription for it. The prescription is typically sent electronically to the pharmacy of your choice.

How to get prescribed Ozempic for weight loss step by step

Take the following steps to get Ozempic for weight loss:

Book an appointment with a licensed healthcare provider

Book a consultation with a licensed healthcare provider—either in-person or online—to determine your eligibility for Ozempic. Klarity Health offers online appointments within 24 hours.

Eligible prescribers include medical doctors (MDs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants (PAs). Ensure your provider is licensed in your state by checking your state’s medical board.

Medical evaluation to see if you are qualified

During your appointment, your healthcare provider will conduct a medical evaluation to determine whether you qualify for Ozempic. Although Ozempic is primarily approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes (T2DM), some providers prescribe it off-label for weight loss.

Your provider may order blood tests, such as a blood glucose test and a hemoglobin A1C test, to assess your blood sugar levels. These tests help determine whether you have or are at risk for type 2 diabetes. Your provider may also measure your vital signs, including your weight and blood pressure, and review your medical and family history to assess your overall health and eligibility for Ozempic.

Develop a personalized medication plan with the help of your provider

If your provider determines that you are a suitable candidate for Ozempic, they will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your weight loss goals. This plan may include:

• Setting realistic and achievable weight loss targets
• Determining the appropriate duration of treatment
• Recommending complementary lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet and regular exercise

Begin your medication-managed weight loss

Once you have a personalized treatment plan, you can begin taking Ozempic under your provider’s guidance. Your healthcare provider will instruct you on the correct injection technique to ensure safe and effective use.

To use Ozempic properly, you must administer a subcutaneous injection into the upper arm, thigh, or stomach. A subcutaneous injection is given just under the skin and should not be injected into a vein or muscle. You should inject Ozempic once per week on the same day each week. If you miss a dose, you should take it within five days of the missed injection or skip it if more than five days have passed. To avoid irritation, it is important to rotate injection sites and never share your injection pen with others.

Follow up with your provider and adjust your dose as needed

Regular follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider are essential to monitor your progress and make adjustments to your treatment. Your provider may check your hemoglobin A1C levels, blood sugar levels, and other health markers to assess how well Ozempic is working for you.

Your Ozempic dosage may need to be adjusted based on factors such as changes in diet, other medications you are taking, recent surgeries, illnesses, stress levels, weight fluctuations, and physical activity levels.

It is also important to monitor for potential side effects, including:

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), especially if taken with other diabetes medications.
• Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain.
• Severe side effects from an overdose.

If you experience severe side effects or suspect an overdose, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical care. Bringing your Ozempic medication and medical records to the emergency room can help healthcare professionals provide the best possible treatment.

Wegovy as a weight loss alternative to Ozempic

Along with lifestyle changes, Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in people ages 12 years and older who meet certain requirements. These include having obesity or being overweight with at least one weight-related health condition such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol or blood pressure. Similar to Ozempic, Wegovy is also approved to lower the risk of serious cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack or stroke, in obese or overweight individuals with known heart disease.

So, the choice between Ozempic vs Wegovy may come down to which one you qualify for based on your health history. If you have type 2 diabetes, Ozempic may be the right fit. If you have obesity or overweight but don’t have type 2 diabetes, you may want to explore Wegovy as a potential option for weight loss.

Still not sure if you qualify for Ozempic based on your weight? Ozempic isn’t approved for weight loss, so there isn’t a specific weight requirement for Ozempic. Wegovy, on the other hand, does outline certain weight requirements in its approved labeling. While not a perfect tool, body mass index (BMI) is commonly used by healthcare professionals to assess body size. BMI is calculated based on a person’s height and weight. Overweight is a BMI of 25 to 29.9, and obesity is a BMI of 30 or greater. BMI calculators are available online, like on the CDC and NIH websites, to help you determine your BMI.

A qualified healthcare provider can help determine if Ozempic is right for you. With marketplace services, like Klarity Health, you can find a provider and have an appointment in as little as 24 hours.* 

Can you get an Ozempic prescription online?

You can get an Ozempic prescription online by taking the following steps:

• Schedule an appointment. Book an appointment with a licensed healthcare provider, including a PA, NP, or MD, to figure out if an Ozempic prescription is the right treatment for you. You can make an appointment with an online provider on Klarity Health in as little as 24 hours. 
• Take tests ordered by your provider. Your healthcare provider might order blood tests to test your hemoglobin A1C or your blood glucose level before prescribing Ozempic. Your hemoglobin A1C measures your blood sugar control over 3 months. Your blood glucose level refers to the amount of glucose in a sample of your blood. 
• Answer questions. Your provider might ask you questions about your medical history and take weight and blood pressure readings. Even with online consultations, doctors evaluate your specific situation, and not everyone is suitable for Ozempic.

Pick up Ozempic from your pharmacy. Your provider can send Ozempic to your pharmacy if you qualify.

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What does Ozempic cost?

For most people interested in Ozempic for weight loss, cost is a major factor in their decision. 

Ozempic is expensive. The average price is around $1,051 for a 1-month supply.

You may pay less for Ozempic with insurance. Getting Ozempic covered by insurance usually requires prior authorization. This is when your insurance requires documentation from your healthcare provider to support that the drug is medically necessary for you before they help cover the cost. 

Getting off-label Ozempic prior authorization for weight loss is possible, but less likely. For example, insurance plans are more likely to cover Ozempic for managing type 2 diabetes or reducing cardiovascular risk (the approved indications of Ozempic), than if you’re taking it off-label for weight loss. You have the right to appeal a prior authorization denial regardless of the reason. 

Patient assistance programs and coupons may be an option to make Ozempic more affordable. It’s also possible to get Ozempic for $25 if you’re eligible for the Ozempic Savings Card. A healthcare provider or pharmacy professional can connect you with resources that may help you get Ozempic for free or at a discount too. 

Side effects of Ozempic 

The more common side effects of Ozempic, as listed on the FDA label, include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation

Less common side effects include:

• Heartburn or acid reflux
• Gas
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), if taken with certain other medications for type 2 diabetes (insulin or sulfonylureas)
• Injection site reactions

Precautions, contraindications, and boxed warnings for Ozempic for weight loss

Ozempic’s labeling carries warnings that patients should be aware of, including several precautions, a boxed warning, and contraindications. 

Ozempic hasn’t been studied in people with type 1 diabetes or people with a history of pancreatitis. Precaution should be taken in people with acute pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, hypoglycemia, acute kidney problems, diabetic retinopathy, rapid heartbeat, and suicidal behavior or thoughts.

Ozempic’s boxed warning cautions that semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) causes thyroid tumors in animal studies. It isn’t known if this risk extends to humans. 

Due to the risk of harm, Ozempic is contraindicated in certain people.  You shouldn’t take Ozempic if you have a family or personal history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN-2). In addition, you shouldn’t use Ozempic if you’ve had an allergic reaction to Ozempic or semaglutide in the past.

Key takeaways

Ozempic (semaglutide) is FDA-approved for managing blood sugar levels and lowering A1C in adults with type 2 diabetes. It also reduces the risk of cardiovascular issues in those with both type 2 diabetes and known heart disease. Despite not being specifically approved for weight loss, Ozempic is commonly prescribed off-label for this purpose due to the effectiveness of its active ingredient, semaglutide. 

Ozempic can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider, such as primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and specialists like endocrinologists. Ozempic can be obtained from any licensed pharmacy, either in person or delivered. Due to high demand, pharmacies may experience shortages of Ozempic, but the situation is improving. Ozempic is expensive, but insurance coverage and assistance programs may help mitigate costs for eligible individuals.

Ozempic is administered via subcutaneous injection once weekly, with dosages gradually increasing over time. It’s meant to be used alongside lifestyle changes like a low-calorie diet and regular exercise. 

Like other medications in the GLP-1 analog class, Ozempic lowers blood sugar levels by helping your body release more insulin. Evidence from clinical trials demonstrates Ozempic’s effectiveness for controlling type 2 diabetes. It also helps people lose weight. 

Ozempic may cause side effects, such as nausea, and has other precautions. It may not be safe for everyone. Talk to a healthcare provider to discuss whether Ozempic may be suitable for you.  

Talk to a provider about how to get prescribed Ozempic for weight loss

Interested in trying Ozempic or another medication for weight loss? It’s time to talk to a specialist. Find a licensed weight loss provider on Klarity and schedule an appointment in as little as 24 hours.*