{"id":627505,"date":"2024-03-21T11:41:48","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T15:41:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627505"},"modified":"2025-12-09T14:45:50","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T19:45:50","slug":"ozempic-canadian-pharmacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ozempic-canadian-pharmacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Canadian pharmacy Ozempic: Cost, availability & more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over 38 million people in the United States have diabetes, and over 40% have obesity. Because <\/span>Ozempic<\/span><\/a> (semaglutide) is approved for blood glucose control and has a ton of social media clout, it\u2019s in pretty high demand\u2014along with Wegovy, its weight-loss-specific sibling. However, it can also be expensive, which has sent many people on a mission to save money, particularly if they don\u2019t have insurance coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

While there are several ways to save on Ozempic, some U.S. adults have been turning to Canadian pharmacies for more affordable prices\u2014but shortages and restrictions have made that option increasingly less feasible. In this article, we\u2019ll cover how much some have saved, if this method is safe and legal, and the issues with U.S. citizens crossing the border for Ozempic. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ozempic dosage and administration<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable medication from a class of drugs called <\/span>glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists<\/span><\/a>, which tell the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar levels get too high. It comes in single-patient-use pens of various dosages, which patients inject once a week at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An Ozempic pen can come in doses of 0.25 milligrams (mg), 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg, prescribed based on the stage of treatment and the patient\u2019s needs. Typically, <\/span>healthcare providers will prescribe the 0.25 mg dosage<\/span><\/a> for the first four weeks to see how the patient\u2019s body handles it and decrease the likelihood of digestive side effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The patient will inject one dose on the same day each week. After four weeks of taking the 0.25 mg dose, the healthcare provider will likely increase the dose to 0.5 mg weekly. Then, after the second month, they\u2019ll reassess and potentially increase to 1 mg, then 2 mg after another month if necessary. Some patients may require a higher dose for blood sugar control, while others may stay on a lower dose if blood sugar is controlled and to minimize side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ozempic can be effective<\/span><\/a> at doses of 0.5 mg and above for weight loss, but higher doses saw better results. However, Ozempic is intended to be used to treat Type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. Nonetheless, healthcare providers may prescribe it <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> for weight loss. Its active ingredient, semaglutide, is FDA approved for weight loss under <\/span>the brand name Wegovy<\/span><\/a>, which has a dosing progression of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Wegovy vs. Ozempic: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Ozempic cost in the United States vs. Canada<\/span><\/h2>\n

The main reason Americans are trying to get Ozempic from Canada is because it\u2019s often less expensive there. <\/span>Without insurance<\/span><\/a>, a 30-day <\/span>supply of 1 mg doses<\/span><\/a> costs $1,394 on average in the United States, depending on the location and pharmacy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By comparison, a month\u2019s worth of Ozempic costs around $300 in Canada, according to the <\/span>Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)<\/span><\/a>. Much like in the United States, that price could be higher or lower, depending on the pharmacy, dosage, and location. \u201cIt is less expensive due to Canada’s ability to negotiate rates with big pharma companies,\u201d says <\/span>Jonathan Kaplan, MD<\/span><\/a>, founder of <\/span>Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery<\/span><\/a> in San Francisco. \u201cThe United States has just started negotiating drug prices, but not Ozempic yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Insurance can drastically reduce the cost of Ozempic (or potentially Wegovy), but the procedures surrounding these price changes are constantly in flux, according to Sulagna Misra, MD, founder of <\/span>Misra Wellness<\/span><\/a>. For example, she says many insurance plans will not cover Ozempic for weight loss, although some may cover Wegovy instead. Plus, <\/span>prior authorization<\/span><\/a> regulations are always changing, too, so insurance companies may require patients to try other weight-loss drugs or diets first. It\u2019s important to speak with the insurance company to understand any requirements for coverage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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