Ozempic

Background to the Ozempic weight loss injection UK

Wegovy is the UK alternative to Ozempic for weight loss and is available online from Prescription Doctor. Ozempic is not licensed in the UK for weight loss but Wegovy is. They both contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide.

The main difference between Ozempic and Wegovy, aside from their licensed use, is the maximum dose. Ozempic only titrates up to a weekly dose of 2 mg per week, whereas Wegovy has a maximum maintenance dose of 2.4 mg per week. This weight loss dose means Wegovy is more effective and can help you lose a meaningful amount of weight, up to 15% of your original weight in 68 weeks at the highest dose.

If you are looking to switch from Ozempic to Wegovy, or Mounjaro, our clinicians can help, start a weight loss consultation now.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is an injectable medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which is the same as the weight loss injection Wegovy. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist which means it mimics the effects of GLP-1, a hormone released after you eat, to control blood glucose levels and can help you lose weight.

Ozempic is used to help control and reduce high blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes complications such as heart disease.

How does Ozempic work for weight loss?

Ozempic is not currently available for weight loss in the UK. Instead, Wegovy, which contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide, is licensed for weight loss in the UK.

Ozempic and Wegovy belong to a group of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. For blood sugar management, Ozempic works by binding to the GLP-1 receptors in the brain to stimulate the pancreas to release insulin, lowering glucose levels and slowing the release of glucagon (stored sugar) from your liver.

For weight loss, semaglutide works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 which is released when you eat, signalling to your brain you feel full. So, when you inject Wegovy for weight loss, it has a crucial role in regulating your appetite to make you feel full and less hungry. Eventually, this leads to a reduced intake of food and weight loss.

Ozempic dosage for weight loss

The semaglutide dosage is titrated up over 5 months to get your body used to the active ingredient and reduce the risk of side effects.

Because Ozempic isn’t available for weight loss, the Wegovy dosing schedule is shown below:

Wegovy is available in 5 different doses. It is self-injected once per week and everyone needs to begin Wegovy treatment on the starting dose of 0.25 mg once per week for 4 weeks.

Can I switch from Ozempic to Wegovy?

If you have already been taking Ozempic, then you should be able to switch to Wegovy by taking the equivalent dose. That’s because Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active ingredients.

For example, if you are currently taking 1 mg of Ozempic per week, you should be able to switch to a weekly 1 mg dose of Wegovy. However, you must do this under the guidance of a clinician.

If you want to switch from Ozempic to Wegovy, complete a short online health consultation, providing our clinicians with all the relevant information about your Ozempic history. Our clinicians can then help you safely switch from Ozempic to Wegovy.

If you are switching to an equivalent dose, you should not experience any new side effects.

Is Ozempic legal in the UK?

Yes, Ozempic is legal in the UK but it is not licensed for weight loss, only for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Some private weight loss clinics may prescribe Ozempic ‘off label’, where medication is prescribed outside the scope of its licence. Although this is legal, it can cause shortages of the medication for the people who need it. Instead, Wegovy is a licensed semaglutide-containing weight loss injection.

Where can I buy Ozempic?

Can I buy Ozempic online for weight loss?

No, but Wegovy is available online for weight loss. Ozempic may be available from some online services for weight loss, but it will be prescribed ‘off label’. The Wegovy dose, however, has been formulated specifically for weight loss, so you can expect to achieve better weight loss with Wegovy.

Can you buy Ozempic over the counter?

No, Ozempic is not available over the counter. Alli is an over-the-counter weight loss tablet that’s available from most UK pharmacies and online without a prescription.

Is Ozempic available on the NHS?

Ozempic is available on the NHS for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but it is not available for weight loss. Ozempic may be available on private prescription from some weight loss clinics. However, Wegovy is an alternative weight loss injection that has been approved for weight loss in the UK, is available on the NHS, and contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic. Orlistat is also available on the NHS for weight loss.

Ozempic side effects

Ozempic side effects are similar to Wegovy’s because they contain the same active ingredient.

Very common Ozempic side effects include: 

• feeling sick
• diarrhoea
• low blood sugar

Common Ozempic side effects are: being sick, 

• low blood sugar
• indigestion
• gastritis
• stomach pain
• bloating
• burping
• gallstones
• dizziness
• tiredness
• gas

Ozempic side effects are usually worse when you first start the medication or when you increase the dose, but they should subside as your body gets used to semaglutide. However, severe side effects like an inflamed pancreas or an allergic reaction will require immediate medical attention.

Ozempic alternatives

Despite Ozempic not being licensed for weight loss in the UK, there are several weight loss injections that are.

Wegovy is the closest weight loss injection to Ozempic because it contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide. That means Ozempic and Wegovy work in exactly the same way, except Wegovy contains a different dose, formulated to support weight loss. At Prescription Doctor, Wegovy prices start from £139.99.

Mounjaro is another weight loss injection which contains the active ingredient, tirzepatide. It is a dual-action medication because it is a GLP-1 receptor agonist and a GIP receptor agonist, so it mimics 2 hormones that are important for regulating your appetite. Research shows that at the highest maintenance dose of 15 mg per week, Mounjaro can help people lose up to 22.5% of their body weight over 72 weeks. Mounjaro prices start from £159.99 at Prescription Doctor.

Weight loss pills are also available if weight loss injections, like Wegovy and Mounjaro, are not suitable for you. Currently, orlistat (Xenical) is available to buy online and may be available from the NHS. It works by binding to the fat you eat and stopping it from being absorbed by your body. An over-the-counter version, Alli, is also available without a prescription. We also offer MySimba which works by regulating your appetite.

Summary

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that is licensed for weight loss in the UK under the brand name Wegovy. Ozempic is licensed for treating type 2 diabetes and lowering high blood sugar levels – not weight loss. However, some private weight loss clinics and other online services may offer Ozempic ‘off label’, although this is perfectly legal, it can lead to Ozempic shortages, and because Ozempic is available at a lower dose than Wegovy, less meaningful weight loss.