What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a type of medicine called a GLP-1 receptor agonist. That means it works by acting like GLP-1, a natural hunger hormone. Yet Ozempic is a brand name for the active ingredient semaglutide.
Semaglutide is sold as Ozempic when it’s used to treat type 2 diabetes and Wegovy when it’s used for weight loss (though Ozempic is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss).
Because Ozempic hit the market first, it’s the name that’s become associated with GLP-1 weight loss medicines. And in recent years, these have surged in popularity.
Ozempic for weight loss
Okay, so how does Ozempic drive weight loss? Well, it makes you feel full and keeps your appetite at bay, so you eat less.
In clinical studies, people taking semaglutide for 68 weeks (alongside healthy lifestyle changes) lost around 17.5% of their starting weight on average — but this was with the higher 2.4mg dose, available under the Wegovy brand, not Ozempic.
The highest available dose of Ozempic is 2mg, which is licensed for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. In trials, this 2mg dose led to an average weight loss of about 14lb (6.4kg) over 40 weeks.
More recently, studies on an even higher 7.2mg semaglutide dose (Wegovy brand) have shown up to 20.7% average weight loss, suggesting the next generation of treatment could be even more effective once approved.
FYI: Wegovy weight loss injections are available in 2.4mg. And the newer 7.2mg dose will likely be available soon.
Ozempic availability in the UK
Because it’s licensed for type 2 diabetes, Ozempic isn’t available on the NHS as a weight loss treatment.
But you can get it via private prescription, from private clinics and registered online pharmacies. Prices vary between providers.
Ozempic and the NHS
So you can’t get Ozempic on the NHS for weight loss. But you may be eligible for Wegovy if:
- Your BMI is at least 35 or as low as 27.5 depending on:
- Your ethnic background
- If you meet other criteria for treatment by a specialist weight management service
- You have at least one other health problem related to your weight
Ozempic vs other weight loss medications
Here’s how Ozempic stacks up against other weight loss medications.
*Average percentage of starting weight lost in clinical trials
Mounjaro vs Ozempic
The main difference between these two is how they work: Ozempic works by acting on GLP-1 and Mounjaro works by acting on GLP-1 and another hormone called GIP.
Wegovy vs Ozempic
Wegovy and Ozempic are two names for the same medicine, but they’re distinct products. They’re approved for separate uses and come in different dose.
Retatrutide vs Ozempic
Retatrutide isn’t approved yet, so a clinician can’t prescribe it to you. But it’s different from Ozempic in how it works: retatrutide acts like three hormones (GLP-1, GIP, glucagon) compared to one (GLP-1).
BMI requirements for Ozempic in the UK
We’ve mentioned the BMI requirements for getting semaglutide on the NHS. But what about private prescriptions?
Because Wegovy is licensed for weight management, private providers typically prescribe Wegovy rather than Ozempic for weight loss. Ozempic will only be prescribed for weight loss in specific circumstances after an individual assessment by a prescriber. This is known as off-label prescribing (using a licensed medicine for a different indication, dose, or group of patients).
Registered and qualified private providers (like us) follow similar professional standards to the NHS, but eligibility criteria can differ. Most private clinics offer treatment to people with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher if they have a weight-related health condition or are from certain ethnic backgrounds.
Side effects of Ozempic
Ozempic side effects are fairly common, but are usually nothing to worry about and clear on their own. They include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
Is Ozempic right for you?
Your provider might recommend weight loss medication if you’ve tried to lose weight another way but didn’t see the results you wanted.
Plus, semaglutide may also have other benefits for people with heart disease, PCOS or addiction.
But Ozempic isn’t recommended for:
- People who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Those with a personal or family history of thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
It’s super important to get your prescription from a qualified medical professional. They will consider your health and medical history when deciding whether semaglutide is right for you.
Your weight loss journey
You can take the next step in your weight loss journey right now. Through our weight loss programme, you’ll get monthly weight loss medication posted to you plus guidance on how to transform your lifestyle. By the way: as well as injections, we also offer orlistat weight loss pills.
Take our quiz to see if you’re eligible. It takes less than five minutes.
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