Ozempic, containing the active ingredient Semaglutide, is currently not licensed for weight loss in the UK. It is primarily prescribed for managing blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. However, individuals who use Ozempic for diabetes management have reported experiencing weight loss as a side effect.
If you are specifically looking for weight loss treatment, other licensed medicines are available, such as Mounjaro and Wegovy. Wegovy is the version of Ozempic licensed for weight loss, and it is more effective than Ozempic.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a pre-filled injectable pen licensed to manage type 2 diabetes in adults. It controls blood sugar levels.
Is it safe to use Ozempic for weight loss?
Ozempic is only licensed as a type 2 diabetes management medicine. Medical professionals believe Ozempic should not be used to treat obesity if you don’t have type 2 diabetes. Doing so can create serious health risks.
What should I do if Ozempic is not available in the UK?
If you are already being treated with Ozempic and the medicine is not available, you may need to switch to Wegovy, a weight loss injection containing the same active ingredient i.e. Semaglutide. You should make an appointment with your healthcare professional to discuss the need to switch.
A delay in switching may cause you to miss doses, which could lead to high blood sugar levels.
How Does Ozempic Help in Reducing Blood Sugar Levels?
Ozempic is injected into your body once a week, starting with a small dose of 0.25mg. The dose gradually increases over eight weeks until it reaches up to 1mg.
Clinical studies have shown that patients using Ozempic can lose weight loss while treating type 2 diabetes. It works by imitating GLP-1, a hormone naturally found in your body. This imitation hormone slows down the speed at which your stomach empties food following a meal (known as gastric emptying).
As a result, food stays in your stomach longer, making you feel full all day. Consequently, you’re likely to eat fewer calories throughout the day, resulting in weight loss.
But the benefits of Ozempic don’t stop at the stomach. The drug also interacts with GLP-1 receptors in the hypothalamus, a part of your brain.
Therefore, Ozempic can help suppress appetite and reduce hunger if you are overweight and struggling with type 2 diabetes.
Is Ozempic Suitable for Me?
Ozempic contains an active ingredient called semaglutide. Typically, medications in this class are recommended for individuals with a medical history of type 2 diabetes. You can book an online consultation to start your diabetes management treatment.
How to Inject an Ozempic Pen?
The Ozempic weekly injection is given just beneath the skin, known as a subcutaneous injection. You can inject it around your stomach, thigh, or upper arm once a week.
It’s important to avoid injecting in the same spot twice because doing so could increase the risk of infection. Make sure to read the patient information leaflet with the Ozempic pens included in the packaging. Also, try to establish a regular day for your injections.
Start with the smallest dose when using the Ozempic diabetes management injection. The minimum quantity helps your body get used to the medication and reduces the risk of experiencing undesirable side effects.
As time passes, you’ll gradually raise your dose until you reach a suitable maintenance level.
Ozempic Dose for Beginners
The initial dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg once per week, and once your body gets used to it, the dosage will also increase.
Ozempic Maintenance Dose
After a while, you can raise your dose to 0.5mg for an additional 4 weeks. Following this, you’ll transition to Ozempic 1 mg weekly dose for the duration of your treatment to balance your blood sugar levels. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist for personalised dosage recommendations.
Tip: Your Ozempic pen should be stored in the fridge. The medication is suitable for 56 days, and if it’s not used within this timeframe, you should discard it, even if there’s some semaglutide remaining in the pen.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it immediately, but no later than 5 days. If your next injection is due soon, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule.
Where can I Buy Ozempic Online?
There is a shortage of Ozempic in the UK after the launch of Wegovy – a weight loss injection containing Semagutide that works like Ozempic and is more effective than Wegovy. Visit your GP or medical professional to get a prescription for Ozempic. You can book an online consultation before switching from Ozempic to Wegovy from The Care Pharmacy – A UK-registered online pharmacy.
Book your appointment at our weight management clinic to get the best advice and determine if Ozempic is the right choice for you.
FAQs
1. Is Ozempic readily available in the UK?
Ozempic is no more available in the UK due to a surge in off-label prescriptions of the drug semaglutide being issued for weight loss, which is expected to continue throughout 2024.
3. Why Ozempic is out of stock in the UK?
Increased demand for Ozempic coupled with capacity constraints at some of
the manufacturing sites have led to shortages which are expected to continue until mid 2024. The company has limited the supply of the 0.25 mg starting dose for Ozempic. This will limit the number of new patients starting treatment and ensure that maintenance doses can be used for existing patients.
4. What is the alternative to Ozempic?
The alternatives to Ozempic are other medications within the GLP-1 receptor agonist class. Some of them are:
- What is the best weight loss injection in 2023?
The best weight loss injections in the UK are Semaglutide, available under the brand name Wegovy.
- Can Ozempic be prescribed for weight loss only?
Ozempic is licensed for blood sugar control with type 2 diabetes and cannot be prescribed for weight loss.