{"id":62353,"date":"2023-12-28T09:30:26","date_gmt":"2023-12-28T14:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=62353"},"modified":"2025-10-20T16:27:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T20:27:31","slug":"how-to-get-ozempic-for-weight-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-get-ozempic-for-weight-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get Ozempic prescribed for weight loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ozempic<\/span><\/a> is a game-changing medication for people with Type 2 diabetes that has gained widespread attention for its <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> use in weight loss. It not only lowers blood sugar but also suppresses appetite, helping people lose weight.<\/span><\/p>\n

One in eight U.S. adults have reportedly taken a GLP-1 agonist like Ozempic, according to a survey by KFF. Its popularity has been fueled by clinical trials showing that patients taking Ozempic lost an average of 10.9% of their body weight over six months, as well as by the buzz from celebrities, influencers, and everyday conversations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since Ozempic is a diabetes drug prescribed off-label for weight loss, it\u2019s important to use it safely. Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Ozempic?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Ozempic<\/span><\/a> is a <\/span>glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist<\/span><\/a>. GLP-1 medications mimic the activity of a hormone called GLP-1 in certain areas of the body. They were initially developed to help control blood sugar levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes because they promote insulin release.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The FDA has approved Ozempic for blood sugar management and for reducing the risk of <\/span>major adverse cardiovascular events<\/span> (such as cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke) in patients with Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. On Jan. 28, 2025, the FDA also approved Ozempic to reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease in people with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ozempic for weight loss<\/b><\/h3>\n

When it comes to weight loss, the process is as follows: After you eat, your blood sugar levels naturally rise. In response, GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic tell the body to produce more insulin, which in turn helps lower glucose levels. This has obvious benefits for those with Type 2 diabetes, but it can also help those who struggle with insulin resistance and weight maintenance.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, that\u2019s not the only way that Ozempic helps patients lose weight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese medicines reduce appetite by acting centrally in the brain and hence less food intake,\u201d says bariatric specialist <\/span>Noor A. Khan, MD<\/span><\/a>, from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. \u201cThey also reduce gastric emptying and may help patients feel full longer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Using Ozempic specifically for weight loss if you have no history of diabetes is considered off-label use, but some healthcare providers do prescribe it for weight-loss purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOzempic is prescribed for weight loss when a patient also has a diagnosis of diabetes or prediabetes (insulin resistance),\u201d says <\/span>Vadim Sherman, MD<\/span><\/a>, the medical director of the Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery Center at Houston Methodist Department of Surgery in Houston. \u201cIn this situation, the medication can be helpful in treating both conditions at the same time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you need a prescription for Ozempic?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

A prescription from a healthcare provider is required to receive Ozempic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Who can get Ozempic prescribed for weight loss?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Healthcare providers use some important criteria to ensure medications like Ozempic are safe and beneficial for each individual. Let\u2019s explore some of these in more detail.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eligibility<\/b><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s important to ensure that Ozempic will be beneficial for you before you start treatment. The medication has been studied most prominently for <\/span>managing blood sugar<\/span><\/a> in patients with Type 2 diabetes, meaning some providers may <\/span>only<\/span><\/i> prescribe it for people with diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, semaglutide has also been associated with lower rates of <\/span>heart attack and stroke<\/span><\/a> among patients with obesity or overweight. In some people, clinically significant <\/span>weight loss<\/span><\/a> also provides benefits like improved mobility and less joint pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

In general, weight-loss medications are only recommended for patients with a baseline body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg\/m<\/span>2 <\/span>or higher (obesity) or 27 kg\/m<\/span>2<\/span> or higher (overweight) AND at least one of the following weight-related conditions:<\/span>
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