Many of you might have already heard that Ozempic can be a great way to lose weight if traditional weight-loss techniques aren’t a good fit for you. However, this might be a surprise to know but Ozempic isn’t specifically FDA-approved for weight loss within the United States. The medication is primarily used as a form of treatment for people diagnosed with Type II diabetes. Despite this, there are certain weight-related conditions for which Ozempic can be prescribed by a medical practitioner. Today, let’s talk about Ozempic and why it is being used for weight loss within the United States.
Table OF Content
What exactly is Ozempic?
Ozempic, also known as semaglutide was approved by the FDA back in 2017 for the treatment of Type II Diabetes. Once injected into the body on a weekly basis, the compound stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin in order to cope with the body’s insulin shortage. At the same time, Ozempic promotes the feeling of fullness after every meal which aids in lowering the overall calorie intake and weight loss.
How does it work?
The whole working model of Ozempic is based on mimicking the action of a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1. Once Ozempic is injected, it increases the time taken by the food to leave the body which lowers digestion and tricks the brain into believing that you’re still full even after the food is digested. This working principle has a lot of similarities to how bariatric surgery works. Remember, the Ozempic injections are meant to be long-term so the weight loss can be beneficial.
Using Ozempic for weight loss
As mentioned earlier, Ozempic promotes the feeling of fullness which is a great help in reducing the overall calorie intake, leading to a subsequent weight loss. However, simply injecting weekly Ozempic injections is not going to work as the only way to have a more long-term and lasting impact on your health, introducing a lifestyle change is crucial. This means following a clean diet with introducing moderate levels of physical activity/exercise in your daily routine.
Also, it is important to note that a medical practitioner can only prescribe Ozempic for weight loss if the patient can be classified as either obese/overweight and has a history of weight-related disorders such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, etc.
Is Ozempic and Wegovy the same?
No, Ozempic and Wegovy aren’t the same. Ozempic was FDA-approved back in 2017 as a treatment for Diabetes Type II. On the other hand, Wegovy is a once-a-week injection which is FDA approved solely for weight loss back in 2014. Both Wegovy and Ozempic include semaglutide but Wegovy has a higher semaglutide content even when both medications are manufactured by the same company. Also, Wegovy isn’t usually covered by medical insurance programs, however, Ozempic is covered by prominent US-based medical insurance programs like Medicare, Medicaid, etc.
Potential benefits of using Ozempic for weight loss
There are some potential benefits associated with using Ozempic for weight loss only. However, there are drawbacks to the following benefits as well,
Ozempic can help with weight loss, which can reduce the risk of serious health problems like heart disease.
For some obese/overweight patients, semaglutide treatments (like Ozempic) might be an alternative to weight loss surgery. However, surgery typically results in more weight loss that lasts longer.
Experts advise against using Ozempic solely for weight loss unless you have Type 2 diabetes when there is an alternative like Wegovy available.
How Healifynow can help?
Starting your Ozempic-based weight loss journey just got easier! Healifynow connects you with licensed doctors for convenient online evaluation appointments at a super affordable fee, eliminating the hassle of finding a doctor in your area. We also offer the Synergy Semaglutide program, designed specifically for Ozempic users. This program includes your initial consultation, a one-month supply of Ozempic, and ongoing support, all for $299 a month or $799 for a three-month plan.
Final Note
Although Ozempic isn’t solely FDA-approved for weight loss within the United States, medical practitioners still prescribe it for weight loss. But this is only possible if you’re classified as an obese/overweight person with a history of weight-related disorders.
Related Topics.
How much weights can you lose on ozempic?
What are the side effects of ozempic?
Can you drink alcohol on semaglutide.