You’ve likely heard a few conversations regarding semaglutide medications and their role in helping people lose weight. However, are you still uncertain about the role semaglutide plays as a chronic weight management management tool? For instance, is semaglutide a generic drug or considered the brand version of Ozempic? Is it an active ingredient for several approved generic versions or just an active ingredient in Ozempic and/or Wegovy?
To shed some light on this often confusing topic, we will dive into semaglutide and its connection to popular weight loss drugs.
What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. However, you may occasionally hear people refer to GLP-1 receptor agonists as incretin mimetics and GLP-1 analogs.
This prescription medication belongs to a class of drugs that helps lower blood sugar in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Some GLP-1 receptor agonists are also used to treat weight loss.
Ozempic is often mentioned when discussing this GLP-1 analog because semaglutide is the active ingredient in this injectable medication. We’ll go over other weight loss drugs that have the same active ingredient later on.
How Does Semaglutide and Ozempic Work?
Since semaglutide is a receptor agonist, it binds to a cell receptor in the body and causes the same action as the substance that typically binds to the receptor. In this case, it’s mimicking a naturally occurring hormone, GLP-1.
GLP-1 is a peptide hormone that works by:
Hindering glucose production: It stops glucagon secretion so excess glucose doesn’t enter the bloodstream. Glucagon raises blood sugar levels to prevent it from dropping too low.
Triggering more insulin: This action helps lower blood sugar levels. Like the other GLP-1 agonists, Ozempic works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone.
Slowing digestion: When food digests slower, the body releases less glucose into the bloodstream from the food you eat.
Causing satiety: It signals to the brain that you’re full, so you inevitably eat less.
As you can see, the GLP-1 hormone can offer many benefits, but there’s just one problem. Once in plasma, enzymes degrade this hormone in 1 to 2 minutes, so we don’t get to experience its effects.
Semaglutide, on the other hand, has a half-life of 7 days and reaches a steady state in 4 to 5 weeks. This is based on receiving a 0.5 to 1 milligram (mg) weekly injection that helps maintain its effectiveness. The higher the dose, the greater its effects. Liraglutide is another GLP-1 analog, but even that one only has a 13 to 15-hour half-life, which is much shorter than semaglutide.
Common Brand Names: Ozempic and Wegovy, etc.
Previously, we mentioned that semaglutide is an active ingredient in Ozempic, but it’s certainly not the only one. Semaglutide is also a generic form of Wegovy and Rybelsus. You’ll also find that Ozempic and Wegovy are semaglutide injections, while Rybelsus comes in tablet form. Each of these brand names is produced by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.
Although each of these brand names includes semaglutide and essentially performs the same, they’re approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat different things. For example, although people see Ozempic as a weight loss medication, it’s FDA-approved to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It’s also FDA-approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Like Ozempic, Rybelsus has FDA approval to treat diabetes type 2 alongside diet and exercise. Wegovy is the only FDA-approved anti-obesity medication used to treat chronic weight management in individuals 12 and older. Despite their intended use, all three medications work similarly.
Does Semaglutide Work for Weight Loss Purposes?
The short answer is yes, it does work for weight loss. In fact, during clinical trials, researchers discovered that participants using semaglutide experienced considerable weight loss. For example, participants in the STEP (Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity) program lost an average of 15 to 20% of their body weight over approximately 68 weeks.
From a weight loss perspective, the effect of semaglutide injections is similar to that in bariatric surgeries.
Ozempic and Wegovy: Which Contains Higher Doses?
When comparing Ozempic and Wegovy, it’s believed that the latter is more effective for weight loss. Wegovy contains higher doses, with a maximum target dose of 2.4 mg once weekly. Ozempic’s maximum dosage is 2 mg once weekly.
Ultimately, there’s not much of a difference between Ozempic and Wegovy, except their FDA-approved use and dosage recommendations.
Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide
Semaglutide medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as Rybelsus, are helpful for chronic weight management. However, tirzepatide, which is sold under the brand name Zepbound for weight loss, is shown to be even more effective. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine discovered that over 80% of participants taking tirzepatide experienced 5% or greater weight loss. When compared to semaglutide, just over 66% experienced this level of weight loss.
Eli Lilly is the drug company that sells Mounjaro and Zepbound. It faces great competition from other pharmaceutical companies that make obesity medications.
Can You Use Ozempic for Weight Loss?
Ozempic has the active ingredient semaglutide, which can help individuals lose weight. However, since it’s not FDA-approved for weight loss, people aren’t sure what to do.
Well, in some cases, physicians are using the diabetes drug Ozempic off-label. Off-label use simply means that the medication is being prescribed for a purpose other than what the FDA has approved it for. In most cases, this is how people are taking Ozempic for weight loss.
Doctors, like the ones at Custom Health Centers, recognize the benefits to taking Ozempic for weight loss. Therefore, if it makes sense for our patients, we help them get semaglutide in Michigan.
Side Effects and Risks of Semaglutide
All medications have potential risks and side effects, and semaglutide products are no different. No option out there is going to be the perfect weight loss solution, but it’s important to be aware of what to expect. As a result, individuals taking a GLP-1 generic drug should keep the following common side effects in mind:
Nausea: This is one of the most frequently reported side effects, especially when starting the medication or increasing the dose.
Vomiting: Some people experience vomiting, which can be related to nausea.
Diarrhea: Loose stools or increased bowel movements are common.
Constipation: Some users may experience difficulty with bowel movements.
Abdominal Pain: Discomfort or pain in the abdominal area can occur.
Less Common but Serious Side Effects
The majority of individuals taking medications like Ozempic for weight reduction may experience one or more of the gastrointestinal symptoms above. However, those who recommend Ozempic for weight loss or any of the other semaglutide medications should also explain these potential adverse events:
Pancreatitis
Gallbladder issues, like gallstones and cholecystitis
Kidney problems
Thyroid rumors
Allergic reactions, such as rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing
Your Medical Conditions and More
Before you’re prescribed weight loss medications, a physician will assess if the benefits outweigh the risks. They’ll learn that by assessing if you have certain medical conditions or a family history of certain diseases. For instance, those with a familial history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should avoid semaglutide.
Your medical provider would also need to know what other medications you’re currently taking. Combining semaglutide with sulfonylureas, for example, may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The same goes for insulin. You should also let your provider know if you’re taking warfarin, prokinetic agents, and other weight loss drugs.
Keep in mind that semaglutide affects gastric emptying, which might impact the absorption of certain oral medications. This is particularly important for medications that require consistent absorption levels.
Insurance Coverage for Semaglutide
All health insurance plans have different rules, but many will cover semaglutide if it’s prescribed for its intended use. For instance, if you’re getting Ozempic to treat diabetes and you have type 2 diabetes, a health insurance company will likely cover this. The bonus is that if you’re looking to shed excess weight, this medication would still help you do that.
However, if you’re getting the drug Ozempic for weight loss and you don’t have type 2 diabetes, your health plan may deny you. Off-label use is often not covered. Nonetheless, the team at Custom Health Centers can help guide you on how to get semaglutide products, like Ozempic and Wegovy, at an online pharmacy.
What Are Some Ways to Reduce the Cost of Semaglutide?
Some individuals qualify for a financial assistance program if they meet the eligibility criteria. Pharmacy sites also offer coupon discounts for online checkout. Some companies also provide reimbursement and coverage for this medication if the drugs are medically necessary and available at reasonable costs. Another option to save money is to use compounded semaglutide.
What is Compounded Semaglutide?
Compounded semaglutide is a formulation of the semaglutide medication. It is customized and prepared by a compounding pharmacy instead of being commercially manufactured by a pharmaceutical company.
Is Compounded Semaglutide Safe and Effective?
The safety and effectiveness of compounded semaglutide products can vary and are generally less well-documented compared to commercially manufactured versions of the medication.
To give you some perspective, commercial semaglutides, such as those that are approved by the FDA, are subject to stringent quality control and regulatory standards. Conversely, compounded drugs are not subject to the same rigorous FDA testing and standards.
The FDA has received adverse event reports after patients used compounded semaglutide. They want individuals to be aware that some drugs sold as ‘semaglutide’ don’t actually contain the same active ingredient as FDA-approved semaglutide products. They go on to say that products containing semaglutide salts, such as semaglutide sodium and semaglutide acetate, have not been shown to be safe and effective.
Why Use Semglutide for Weight Loss?
Semaglutide has been increasingly recognized for its effectiveness in weight loss, especially in those who are overweight or obese. Suffering from obesity and overweight can cause and exacerbate a wide range of health problems that affect various systems in the body. Some examples include:
Type 2 diabetes
Cardiovascular disease (e.g., increases the risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels)
Sleep apnea
Osteoarthritis
Asthma
Fatty liver disease
Cancer (e.g., breast, esophageal, colorectal, etc.)
Depression and anxiety
Fertility complications
And more
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 42% of American adults are obese, so many individuals are at risk of the above. One major reason health experts recommend Ozempic is because they’re trying to reduce those risks.
As mentioned before, clinical trials have proven that medications like Ozempic work for weight loss. Like the other GLP-1 agonists, Ozempic works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone. Its ability to reduce appetite can make a profound difference in someone who struggles with constant food cravings. As semaglutide, the active ingredient, increases GLP-1 hormones, it also slows digestion by increasing the amount of time it takes food to exit the body.
Is there an off-brand version of Ozempic?
As of now, there are no officially approved “off-brand” or approved generic versions of Ozempic available in the United States. Ozempic is a brand-name medication manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It has been widely used for managing type 2 diabetes and, more recently, for weight loss in its higher doses (under the brand name Wegovy).
Get Semaglutide (Ozempic) for Weight Loss
Although not all semaglutide products are FDA-approved for weight loss, they all aid with weight reduction. Therefore, if you’re interested in learning more about brand-name weight loss drugs and their compounded versions, reach out to Custom Health Centers. Let our experts answer these questions and help you get started on your weight loss journey.
Ready to get started? Contact us today!
