How many pounds do you lose on Ozempic?

While the average weight loss with Ozempic is 14 pounds, it's higher with Wegovy — about 15% of a patient's body weight, Azar said.

today.com - Many turn to diabetes drug Ozempic to lose weight. Is it safe? - TODAY

What's the most weight loss in a day?

The human body is capable of losing more than three pounds in one day. However, that kind of weight loss is reserved for people who are severely...

Last updated Oct 14, 2022

Can drinking water help you lose weight?

Water can be really helpful for weight loss. It is 100% calorie-free, helps you burn more calories and may even suppress your appetite if consumed...

Last updated Sep 17, 2019

Learn More »

Promotion

Ozempic, a prescription medication to treat Type 2 diabetes, is getting lots of attention for two of its side effects: weight loss and shortages. It’s become a sensation on social media, with the topic "Ozempic" garnering hundreds of millions views on TikTok. Many people who don’t have diabetes are using it off-label — the practice of taking an approved drug for unapproved use — and crediting it for their weight-loss success.

Since Ozempic has gone viral, some doctors have been flooded with inquiries.

“It’s become something very hot and heavy in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills,” Dr. Nancy Rahnama, an internist and obesity medicine specialist in Beverly Hills, California, previously told TODAY. That’s creating problems for people with diabetes who told NBC News they’re having a hard time getting the prescriptions they need. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, says increased demand for the drug and supply chain issues have impacted supplies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists the medication as “currently in shortage” on its website. Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide, a medicine for adults with Type 2 diabetes that patients self-inject under their skin. It’s in a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists and works by mimicking a natural hormone the body releases when a person eats food. “It regulates your blood sugar, but it also targets that area in the brain that sends the signal of feeling full or not, so it’s definitely helpful for weight loss,” said NBC News medical contributor Dr. Natalie Azar. Ozempic’s sister drug, Wegovy, which has been approved for weight loss in people with obesity by the FDA, also contains semaglutide, though the injector pens are slightly different and come in different doses. The drug is now back in stock for patients after a months-long shortage, the company that makes it announced in early January. Novo Nordisk, the company that makes both Ozempic and Wegovy, told NBC News that the availability of Ozempic has improved, but supply issues still remain. While the average weight loss with Ozempic is 14 pounds, it’s higher with Wegovy — about 15% of a patient’s body weight, Azar said. “For people who need this medically-managed weight loss, it’s a wonderful tool in the toolbox. But the shortages are real — partially supply, but how much of this is playing into it?” she wondered.

Why you shouldn't take fat burners?

They may feel jittery or lightheaded, experience a racing heart rate, sweat profusely, and feel nauseated. These effects may last longer than they...

Last updated Dec 28, 2019

What vitamins help reduce belly fat?

A 2011 study found that overweight and obese adults taking calcium and vitamin D supplements lost significantly more stomach fat than people not...

Last updated Nov 8, 2019

Promotion

Although Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient, Novo Nordisk says they are not interchangeable. “We do not promote, suggest or encourage off-label use of our medicines,” the company said in a statement. However, the FDA told NBC News that health care professionals can choose to prescribe drugs off-label when “medically appropriate.”

Is it safe?

YouTube user Ana McKenna, who has documented her 45-pound weight loss journey with Ozempic, told TODAY it has been her “easiest weight-loss attempt and my most successful.” But she also agreed it wasn’t a magic pill, noting side effects such as headaches and fatigue. Other side effects of Ozempic include nausea, vomiting, pancreatitis and kidney failure, Azar cautioned. “It can potentially harm you,” she said. Ozempic can cost about $900 dollars a month, according to the drug maker’s website. For off-label use, that usually would not be covered by insurance. The medication has to be taken indefinitely — people have to stay on it for it to keep working, otherwise they can potentially regain the weight they’ve lost or even more, Azar noted. The drug is not necessarily something that can reset a person for life, she added. The big issue is: How are people who don’t have diabetes or obesity getting this drug? Obviously, some people are obtaining prescriptions inappropriately, Azar pointed out. “(Doctors) do prescribe medications off-label, but there has to be shared decision-making and the patient has to understand that potential risks can happen. It’s at the discretion of the provider,” she said.

today.com - Many turn to diabetes drug Ozempic to lose weight. Is it safe? - TODAY

What happens when you drink lemon water on an empty stomach?

Drinking lemon water before meals may help promote and improve digestion. That's because the citric acid found in lemon juice has been shown to...

Last updated Jun 23, 2018

What happens if you suddenly stop Ozempic?

Do not suddenly stop taking Ozempic because doing so could increase your blood sugar levels. If you really need to stop using Ozempic, consult your...

Last updated Mar 2, 2019

Promotion

How many calories do I burn walking?

On average, a mile burns about 100 calories when walking. Another point: ANY exercise pales in comparison to a much more important part of the...

Last updated Sep 29, 2019

Promotion

What exercise burns the most stomach fat?

The most effective exercise to burn stomach fat is crunches. Crunches rank top when we talk of fat-burning exercises. You can start by lying down...

Last updated Jan 4, 2021