Highlights
- Ozempic is a diabetes medication, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that increases insulin in the body and helps you manage your hemoglobin A1c.
- Ozempic and its active ingredient, semaglutide, has been approved by the FDA multiple times for different uses and is generally considered safe.
- Ozempic for weight loss is generally a larger dose of semaglutide, although Ozempic users often see a decrease in weight as a side effect.
Ozempic has quickly drawn attention for its effectiveness and its possible effects on body weight. Many people are left with questions about Ozempic’s safety, if it’s effective for diabetes type I as well as type 2, and many others, so we’ve assembled answers to the most common questions about Ozempic.
Q: What is Ozempic and how does it work?
A: Known medically as semaglutide, Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. In other words, it imitates the action of GLP-1. Since GLP-1 is part of the insulin secretion process, it increases insulin in the body, helping you manage your hemoglobin A1c. It also has other effects, like slowing down digestion and preventing the creation of glucose. Currently, Ozempic is only FDA approved for use by people with type 2 diabetes.
Q: Is Ozempic safe?
A: Ozempic has been repeatedly found safe and approved by the FDA since it first came on the market. The first came in 2017, when it was approved for treatment in people with diabetes type 2. A second approval was issued in 2020, approving Ozempic for people with both diabetes type 2 and heart disease to reduce cardiovascular risk. In 2022, a higher dose was approved to help people with diabetes type 2 improve their glycemic control. This is in addition to other approvals of semaglutide — such as Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss.
In addition, Ozempic has been on the market for six years and so far, no major issues have emerged in the wider population. However, as with any medication, there is the risk of an allergic reaction.
Q: How long does Ozempic stay in your system?
A: Generally speaking, semaglutide has a half-life of approximately seven days. The injection schedule is designed to keep a constant level of Ozempic in your bloodstream to maintain the effects.
Q: What are the side effects of Ozempic?
A: The most commonly reported side effects of Ozempic are gastrointestinal, including:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these less-common but potentially serious side effects:
- Changes to your vision
- Changes to your mood, including thoughts of self-harm
- Pounding or fluttering heartbeat
- Lightheadedness
- Any symptoms of pancreatitis, including severe upper stomach pain, nausea, and fast heart rate
- Any gallbladder symptoms including pain in your upper stomach, fever, clay-colored stools, or jaundice
- Signs of low blood sugar
- Swelling of the kidneys
- Symptoms similar to stomach flu
Q: How long does Ozempic take to start working?
A: You’ll likely see declining hemoglobin A1c within a week of use. However, it will take about eight weeks to see the full impact, as you’ll start on a lower dose to get acclimated to the drug before beginning higher doses over the long term.
Q: Can Ozempic be used for diabetes type I?
A: As of this writing, Ozempic has not yet been approved for people with type 1 diabetes. As type 1 diabetes can have different causes than type 2, it’s not clear if people with type 1 will receive the same benefits. However, other formulations of semaglutide, such as Wegovy, may be prescribed to help manage weight and are being closely monitored by researchers to see if they have other benefits.
Q: Can Ozempic be used with insulin?
A: Ozempic can be used with insulin, according to its manufacturer Novo Nordisk, but it must be used carefully. Since Ozempic raises the overall level of insulin in your system, taking insulin with Ozempic raises the risk of hypoglycemia, or extremely low blood sugar.
Review your specific condition with your doctor and discuss your risks. Your doctor will likely recommend reducing your overall insulin dose when you start using Ozempic.
Q: Can Ozempic be used with other diabetes medications?
A: Ozempic is generally considered an alternative to other diabetes medications. For example, dulaglutide (Trulicity) stimulates the pancreas to release more insulin, so it may not make sense to take it with Ozempic.
That said, your doctor may combine drugs depending on your needs and the progression of your diabetes. Use only the drugs your doctor has prescribed, and follow the instructions given with them to the letter.
Q: Is Ozempic a weight-loss drug?
A: Most users of Ozempic report some weight loss, which has been backed by an independent study. This is in part because it prevents the action of the hormone glucagon, which encourages the liver to release carbohydrates and the body to create more glucose. This slows down digestion, which also lowers overall appetite. In real terms, Ozempic users tend to eat less and feel fuller, faster.
While weight loss is viewed as a positive side effect of Ozempic, the FDA has not approved it for that use; it is currently approved exclusively to treat diabetes type 2. However, another version of semaglutide, Wegovy, which contains a different dose of semaglutide, is approved for people with obesity. In most cases, Ozempic is combined with an exercise and diet plan to encourage safe hemoglobin A1c and modulate body weight.
Q: How much does Ozempic cost and will insurance cover it?
A: While overall estimates vary, Ozempic is expensive without insurance, priced roughly at $995 per dose as of April 2023. However, because it treats diabetes and encourages longer-term health, it’s covered by most insurance plans, including many Medicare plans.
Importantly, though, because diabetes type 2 is the only condition approved by the FDA for this drug, if you use Wegovy or Ozempic “off-label” for weight loss, your insurance carrier may refuse to cover it. There may be some exceptions, however. For example, if another long-term medication you need causes weight gain, your insurance may approve semaglutide to reduce your risk.
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