Does Ozempic work for weight loss? Ozempic, also known by its generic name Semaglutide, is a medication that was initially developed to treat diabetes. However, in 2021, the FDA approved the medication (under the company’s other brand name Wegovy) for the treatment of obesity.
As of now, there are two large studies that found Ozempic to be an effective treatment to lose weight for obese patients.
In 2021 the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported a study of 902 obese individuals testing Ozempic as an aid in weight reduction. The study was double-blind, meaning that neither the test patients nor the researchers knew which patients were receiving Ozempic, and which were receiving a placebo. Patients were randomly assigned to either the Ozempic or the placebo group, so that it wasn’t possible for more enthusiastic dieters to choose their group.
Patients taking Ozempic lost 7.9% of their body weight, while those taking placebo gained 6.9%, making a difference of almost 15% less body weight in the treatment group. Systolic (top number) blood pressure decreased almost 4 cm in the treatment group, and waist size went down almost 4 inches. Fitness scores increased in the Ozempic group as well. The scientists concluded that a weekly injection of 2.54 mg of Ozempic was effective for weight loss.
A study published the same year in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) had similar findings. In this study, 1961 patients were enrolled, and they found an average weight-loss of 14.9% of the body weight in little over a year.
To date, this makes it the most effective non-invasive (non-surgical) weight-loss strategy if dieting and exercising do not lead to satisfactory results. Only bariatric surgery led to a higher percentage of weight loss.
Where can I get Ozempic?
Ozempic is a prescription medication that needs to be prescribed by a physician or other certified prescriber. It should be prescribed by a specialist that is familiar with this type of medication and its weight-loss effects. QuickMD specializes in weight-loss treatment and can counsel you on weight loss strategies and can send a prescription for Ozempic to any pharmacy after a brief online consultation (via phone or video). They can also have Ozempic mailed to your home through a mail-order pharmacy.