Introduction
Losing weight is no walk in the park, especially if you’re dealing with type 2 diabetes or obesity. In the past few years, semaglutide brand Ozempic has become wildly popular for its weight loss benefits. It’s now a favorite of Hollywood celebrities and business tycoons.
Ozempic shares the same active ingredient, semaglutide, with its sister brands, Wegovy and Rybelsus. Despite only Wegovy having FDA approval for weight management, many prescribe Ozempic and Rybelsus off-label for their weight loss effect.
If you’re considering taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus, you may be wondering how to get semaglutide and its safety. In this article, we cover eligibility for semaglutide, its cost, where to buy it, and issues affecting its supply. Read on so you know how to obtain semaglutide.
What is semaglutide?
You may be familiar with Ozempic and its weight loss effects, but do you know how semaglutide works? What similar effects does it share with Wegovy and Rybelsus?
Semaglutide is a drug, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, or GLP-1 Ra for short. Whenever we eat and blood sugar levels are high, semaglutide mimics a hormone, GLP-1. GLP-1 prompts the pancreas to produce insulin, a hormone that lowers blood glucose.
Another effect of semaglutide is that it slows down digestion, causing you to feel fuller for longer. As a result, you don’t crave food as much, have a weaker appetite, and lose weight in the process. Remember, though, that semaglutide can only work its best in addition to a healthy diet and with ample exercise.
Is semaglutide for you?
It’s essential that before you take semaglutide, you know what potential risks or side effects you may face with it.
Eligibility
To be eligible to take semaglutide, you must meet certain criteria that only your healthcare provider can assess you with.
In the case of Wegovy, for instance, you will need to fall above a certain BMI. You must have a BMI of 27 or greater with one weight-related condition or a BMI of 30 or greater.
If you wish to take Ozempic or Rybelsus, meanwhile, you’ll need to have type 2 diabetes. Ozempic may also treat type 2 diabetes or heart disease, as it has approval for lowering risk of cardiovascular problems. Doctors may at times also prescribe them for those dealing with insulin resistance.
Side effects
As semaglutide works in the gut, its most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, and abdominal pain. No need to worry much about these, though, as these are generally mild and manageable.
The more serious side effects of semaglutide injections include allergic reactions, hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, kidney problems, and thyroid c-cell tumors. Note, however, that these are rare.
To help you navigate these symptoms, make sure to inform your healthcare provider.
Dosage, administration, and storage
Once you’ve purchased Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus, proper dosages and administration will be key in ensuring their efficacy. Here’s what you need to know about each brand.
Dosages
Ozempic comes in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg injectable pens and you should administer it once a week. As a starting dose, patients must take it in 0.25 mg doses once weekly for the first four weeks.
Wegovy also comes in an injectable pen but in five various dose strengths, from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg. Its starting dose is 0.25 mg once weekly for the first four weeks. As subcutaneous (injecting under the skin) medications, patients must not inject Ozempic or Wegovy into the muscle or vein.
On the other hand, Rybelsus comes in 30-tablet bottles in 3 mg, 7 mg, or 14 mg doses. It is taken once daily, at a starting dose of 3 mg for the first 30 days.
Administration
You can inject Ozempic and Wegovy in three different areas: the 1) abdomen, 2) thigh, or 3) upper arm. You must not inject the medicine into a muscle or vein.
It is best to use a different injection site with every injection. If you want to use the same injection site, pick a different spot in that area.
You can take semaglutide injections with or without meals at any time of the day. For optimal results, semaglutide manufacturer Novo Nordisk notes that it is best to take semaglutide with a healthy diet and exercise.
How to get semaglutide
We’ve mentioned that you need to be eligible first before you can seek a prescription for semaglutide. Your health insurance should cover the cost of semaglutide if you meet the diagnostic criteria.
First, set an appointment with your healthcare provider. Make sure that they accept your insurance policy. They will review your medical history, symptoms, medications, and reasons for considering using semaglutide.
Don’t be surprised if they don’t immediately endorse semaglutide. They might suggest an alternative drug that they feel will be better suited for you. Your doctor should also be transparent about the benefits and risks of the drug he/she is considering prescribing. He/she may also instruct you to take laboratory tests to check if it’s the best drug for you.
Once you have a prescription, you can buy semaglutide online or at any pharmacy. Only get your prescription from a licensed healthcare professional, a state-licensed pharmacy, or an outsourcing facility registered with the FDA.
Cost of semaglutide
According to a November 2024 report, semaglutide brands had the following pharmacy retail prices for one month’s supply:
- Ozempic: $830-870 (list price at $968.52)*
- Wegovy: $1,237-$1,340 (list price at $1,349.02)*
- Rybelsus: $848-$917 (list price at $968.52)*
*Note: Prices are subject to change.
Insurance coverage of semaglutide
As we have stated, health insurance may cover these drugs if you have type 2 diabetes or if you have obesity. In some cases, your insurance may also cover semaglutide if you are overweight and have at least one more health condition.
Note, though, that Medicaid or Medicare commonly only covers semaglutide for type 2 diabetes but rarely for weight control.
However, if you don’t have insurance, you may want to seek the help of NovoCare. It’s a patient assistance program that might be able to help you secure Ozempic or Rybelsus at a cheaper price.
You can also try joining a clinical trial for semaglutide to get semaglutide for free. Visit clinicaltrials.gov to check out available trials in the US.
How to check for insurance coverage
To check if your health insurance covers your semaglutide injection, you can simply visit the Ozempic and Wegovy websites. Simply answer a questionnaire, share your patient information, and look up your health insurance provider. You can also review your health insurance policy documents or consult your insurance agent.
Non-coverage of semaglutide injections
Insurance companies don’t typically cover weight loss drugs as they perceive obesity as a cosmetic issue than a chronic disease. Weight loss medications also have hefty price tags, with a month’s supply easily going beyond $1,000 a month.
In 2023, only one in every four employers covered GLP-1 weight loss drugs. These employers, however, are tightening the criteria for their eligibility.
Another hindrance to coverage is a law that prevents Medicare from covering weight loss medications. Medicare is the US federal health insurance for citizens aged 65 or older.
Ironically, insurance providers suddenly denied coverage to those who succeeded in their semaglutide treatments.
Compounded semaglutide and counterfeits
Because semaglutide and weight loss drugs are pricey, some turn to compounded forms to save money and get similar benefits. These versions still contain the active ingredient but with the addition of other ingredients, such as vitamins.
The FDA has approved some drugstores to custom-mix variations of semaglutide and its competitor active ingredients tirzepatide and dulaglutide. However, a supply issue in 2022 affected these. There have also been reports citing adverse effects from the compounded versions. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have also reported impurities in the compounded medications.
In October 2023, there were reports that people were selling counterfeit Ozempic pens in Europe, reportedly containing insulin. People who fell for the pens suffered from hypoglycemia and seizures. In December 2023, the FDA issued a warning about similar fake Ozempic pens being sold in the US.
It’s vital to remain vigilant and wary of merchants selling semaglutide through non-state-approved means.
The supply issue
Towards the latter part of 2023, there was a major shortage in Wegovy and Ozempic amid the clamor for the drugs. The shortage problem will likely persist for several more years. Novo Nordisk has admitted a “short-term stock-out” of Wegovy in the US through December due to demand surpassing supply capacities.
Currently, semaglutide is available in the following countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland, the US, and the UK.
Conclusion
Semaglutide is making it easier for people to lose weight, especially those with type 2 diabetes or obesity.
To get semaglutide, you’ll need to hit certain diagnostic criteria to receive a prescription from your healthcare provider. You should only get a prescription from licensed health professionals, state-licensed pharmacies, or outsourcing facilities registered with the FDA.
Semaglutide costs anywhere between $936 to $1,080 a month, if bought out-of-pocket. Your health insurance company should cover the cost if you have type 2 diabetes or obesity. In some cases, they will cover semaglutide if you are overweight and have at least one more health condition.
If you don’t have insurance, you can seek help from patient assistance programs or join a clinical trial for semaglutide.
Amid the demand for weight loss drugs and supply issues, be wary of online stores claiming they are selling semaglutide. These may not contain semaglutide and may contain impurities.
As with any medication, always seek the advice and guidance of your healthcare professional.
