Is Ozempic FDA Approved for Weight Loss?
In recent years, Ozempic for weight loss has become a hot topic, especially among women striving to manage their weight and also for those who are hoping for an easy fix. But with so much buzz around this weight loss drug it’s natural to wonder if it would work for you and also ask, “Is Ozempic FDA approved for weight loss, and is it right for me?”
This article will cover the essentials, from how Ozempic works to what the FDA approval really means, and whether it might be a good fit for your weight loss journey which in the end, only you can decide.
Is Ozempic FDA Approved for Weight Loss?
No, Ozempic is not FDA approved for weight loss, but there is more:
Ozempic was FDA-approved for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes in 2017, while Wegovy was specifically approved for the treatment of obesity and weight loss in 2021.
Wegovy and Ozempic both contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide. Some doctors may prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight management.
Based on a review of studies, Wegovy may lead to more weight loss than Ozempic. This is largely because doctors typically prescribe Wegovy at a higher dosage than Ozempic. Based on my research though, the higher dosages of semaglutide cause more issues than the number of issues the lower dosage users encounter.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a prescription medication containing semaglutide, a drug originally developed to manage Type 2 diabetes. It falls into a class of medications called GLP1 receptor agonists, which mimic a hormone in your body that helps regulate blood sugar, insulin levels, and appetite.
Although its primary use is for managing diabetes, many patients using Ozempic noticed an additional benefit: significant weight loss. This discovery led to increased interest in its potential as a weight loss treatment.
“sugar, ie soda, candy, ice cream, fast food, fried food, high fructose corn syrup, pizza, heavily processed food, deli meats.. my God..the garbage most Americans put in their bodies. eliminate all these ( well..maybe except pizza). and let’s see what happens !”
So Ozempic Is Not FDA Approved for Weight Loss JoLynn?
Correct, but with a twist.
Ozempic itself is not specifically FDA approved for weight loss. However a higher dose version of semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy, was FDA approved for “chronic weight management” in 2021. Both weight loss drugs contain the same active ingredient of semaglutide, but they are prescribed at different dosages.
Note that there are users of this weight loss drug who complain that they could not continue using Semaglutide at the higher dosage levels prescribed in Wegovy due to too many stomach issues, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and more.
Here’s how they differ:
1. Ozempic (semaglutide):
Approved by the FDA in 2017 to treat Type 2 diabetes.
Often prescribed off label by healthcare providers for weight loss.
2. Wegovy (higher dose semaglutide):
Approved by the FDA in 2021 specifically for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight conditions, accompanied by at least one weight related health issue (e.g., hypertension, high cholesterol).
In summary, while Ozempic itself does not have FDA approval solely for weight loss, it’s closely related to Wegovy, which does have FDA approval.
“We need to get Big pharma out of our medical schools. There needs to be more options available to the consumer than chemical poisons loaded with harmful side effects and butchering people in the OR.
Big money from big drugs has hijacked our health care by bribing schools, our government and shutting down affordable solutions that complete with their profit margins. They are why our healthcare system is broken. The FDA works for and is funded by them, to protect them and not us.”
How Does Ozempic Promote Weight Loss?
The active ingredient, semaglutide, works by:
1. Reducing Appetite: Semaglutide slows down digestion and reduces hunger signals to the brain, helping you feel full longer.
2. Improving Insulin Sensitivity: This helps regulate blood sugar levels, which can stabilize energy and reduce cravings.
3. Lowering Calorie Intake: Many people naturally eat less due to reduced appetite and slower stomach emptying.
Clinical trials for semaglutide have shown that participants lost 10 to 15% of their body weight over the course of 68 weeks, which is not fast weight loss since 68 weeks equals 1 year and 3 months.
So if you have 70 pounds to lose, you might lose 7 to 10 pounds in a year and a quarter (!!). Geeze oh Petes, if instead you were to work on your mindset so that it becomes struggle-free to change your lifestyle habits, then you could lose ALL 70 POUNDS in 35 weeks if you lose 2 pounds a week!
If instead you were to lose just one pound a week you could get ALL 70 POUNDS off in 70 weeks which would be 2 weeks longer than the clinical trial’s 68 weeks referenced above. Wowza! I wonder how many look at these details when they make their decision to use Ozempic or not? Very interesting!
Who Might Consider Ozempic for Weight Loss?
Ozempic or Wegovy may be an option for you if:
- You are classified as overweight (BMI ≥ 27) or obese (BMI ≥ 30).
- You have a weight related health condition like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea.
- If you don’t have a weight loss mindset and therefore, making lifestyle changes to your diet and exercise have not been consistent, you might be willing to inject semaglutide weekly as long as you’re willing to do so for the rest of your life. (as soon as users stop their injections the weight comes back fast because the root causes of their overeating are not addressed by Ozempic shots)
However, this medication isn’t for everyone. Individuals with a history of certain conditions such as pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, or severe gastrointestinal issues, should consult with a healthcare provider before considering Ozempic.
The Benefits of Using Ozempic for Weight Loss
Many find Ozempic appealing because:
1. It’s Convenient, if you do not wish to delve into the root causes of overeating. Ozempic is shot you give yourself once a week, which does not require mindful strategies for natural weight loss.
2. It’s Effective, if your only goal is to see the scale go down (meaning, changing your emotional connection and mindset about weight loss is not a desire). Many users experience noticeable weight loss within the first few months.
3. It Targets Multiple Goals, if you are happy with using medications to try to lose weight. Additionally, along with weight loss, Ozempic can improve blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Are There Risks to Using Ozempic?
Like any medication, Ozempic comes with potential side effects, which are important to consider, especially since using Ozempic for weight loss instead of for its original intention (type 2 diabetes) is a which can include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea or constipation
Fatigue
Low blood sugar (especially if used with insulin)
In rare cases, more serious risks like pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, or thyroid tumors have been reported. Additionally there are several reports of stomach paralysis aka Gastroparesis from using Ozempic. Always discuss these potential risks with your healthcare provider.
Off Label Ozempic Use: Is It Safe?
Using Ozempic for weight loss is considered “off label” unless you have Type 2 diabetes. While off label use of medications is legal and common in the medical field, it’s crucial to work closely with a healthcare provider to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Cost and Accessibility
One of the biggest barriers for women considering Ozempic for weight loss is the cost. Without insurance coverage, Ozempic can cost upwards of $1,000 per month.
Even with insurance, weight loss specific coverage varies widely, as insurers often prioritize medications approved exclusively for that purpose (e.g., Wegovy).
Some tips for managing costs:
1. Check for Manufacturer Coupons: Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, sometimes offers savings programs.
2. Ask About Generics or Alternatives: Your provider may suggest other medications or lowercost options.
3. Consult Insurance Providers: Ask if your plan covers Ozempic or Wegovy for weight loss.
How to Decide If Ozempic is Right for You
Before considering Ozempic, ask yourself:
- Have I explored nonmedication options like diet changes, regular exercise, and mindfulness strategies?
- Am I ready to commit to a medication that requires weekly injections?
- Am I willing to continue weekly injections the rest of my life?
- If I am not willing to continue weekly injections forever, am I willing to accept weight regain when I stop the injections?
- Can I afford the medication, or do I have coverage through insurance?
- Am I prepared to work with a healthcare provider over the lifetime of injections to monitor progress and manage side effects?
Remember, Ozempic isn’t a magic bullet. Sustainable weight loss involves a combination of healthy eating, physical activity, and addressing emotional or behavioral factors. The biggest problem I see is that most who will choose to inject themselves with Ozempic will avoid doing any of the work to heal their relationship with food, their body, and themselves. All of those problems will still be there if you stop the injections, and then what?
Alternatives to Ozempic for Weight Loss
If Ozempic isn’t the right fit for you and you’re committed to medications to lose weight, consider these alternatives:
1. Wegovy: FDA approved for weight loss and contains the same active ingredient.
2. Other Medications: Options like Contrave, Saxenda, or Qsymia may be more affordable or accessible.
If you want weight loss that lasts then you’ll want to change your mind to change your body. Mindset is 92.8% of what determines how successful you will be with losing weight for good?
How exactly does a weight loss drug help you address conscious action to shift your mindset and empower yourself? Or do weight loss drugs appeal mainly to those who “don’t want to think about it” and by default, relinquish their personal power?
Final Thoughts on Ozempic for Weight Loss
For smart, savvy, spiritual women who want to lose weight and keep it off, they realize that there is no magical bullet for a problem that is often a lifelong issue they have struggled with.
While it’s intriguing to consider weight loss drugs, if you tune in, tap in, and turn on to your inner self, you realize that without addressing the mental, emotional and historical, lifelong connections you have with food, with your body, and with yourself, then you’re only putting a temporary band aid on a much bigger problem when you use weight loss drugs to “fix” your weight problems.
Emotional eating, binge eating, and compulsive overeating are not driven by physical hunger, in fact I’ve had too many weight loss coaching clients since 2009 who could not remember the last time they were physically hungry. Ozempic makes you avoid feeling physical hunger, but since the most common unhealthy overeating behaviors aren’t about physical hunger then how does Ozempic fix these problems?
But if one does not wish to go within and heal the root of their overeating, Ozempic for weight loss offers promise. While not FDA approved specifically for weight loss, it shares the same active ingredient as Wegovy, which is.
As with any weight loss method, success depends on making informed decisions and building sustainable habits. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if Ozempic is the right tool to help you achieve your goals.
If Ozempic feels like the right direction for you, great! That is your decision to make. But if you’re reading these words and you know in your heart that there’s much much more to your story of successful weight loss, then keep reading for a special offer to help (only for those who are serious about healing their eating).
Who Else Wants to Break Free Naturally?
Does it make sense that if you could get control of your eating that you’d be able to lose weight naturally?
If you could stop binge eating, stop emotional eating, let go of food addiction, and achieve peace with yourself and with food, does it make sense that you’d have a powerful foundation to move forward on your weight loss journey without weight loss drugs?
Does it make sense that the real problem isn’t the food, the real problem is what is within you (often unconscious) that is driving your choices to eat?
If you could learn how to step into your own power and if you no longer felt like you were missing out when it comes to food, does it make sense that you really could break free and lose weight for good? (without weight loss drugs)
All of this is possible if you go within and you heal the root of these problems. This is not about a food diet, this is a mental and emotional diet. Really!
If you learn how to change your mind then you can change your body, with ease. Let the negative self-talk go, let the limiting beliefs go, and learn new ways of working with your emotional state so that YOU are the one in control instead of food controlling your whole life.
This is the work that I’ve been doing with amazing coaching clients since 2009. YES, it takes action, it is not a magical weight loss drug or quick fix, although I’ve had coaching clients tell me it was fast since they had been struggling a lifetime before working with me.
If you’d love to stop wondering WHY it is that you are so smart and successful except for this area of your life regarding your weight and eating, then take the first step if you’re committed to change with empowerment: click here and apply now for a complimentary weight loss discovery session with me over the phone.
It’s your first step towards freedom from the struggle, naturally and with ease and joy.
