Weight loss is a side effect of this Type 2 diabetes drug
Key takeaways
- Research suggests that people can lose an average of 5 pounds monthly on Ozempic.
- The amount of weight you can lose in a month with Ozempic depends on your dose.
- Other factors affecting the amount of weight loss you can expect with Ozempic include your starting weight, diet, exercise, and other medications.
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a weekly injectable medication prescribed for controlling blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes, but it has gone viral on social media for its weight loss side effects. However, weight loss is an off-label use of Ozempic, meaning it is not an indication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Anyone wanting to get Ozempic prescribed for weight loss must meet specific criteria.
People taking or interested in using Ozempic for weight loss usually wonder how quickly it works. For instance, exactly how much weight can you lose in a month with Ozempic? Results vary, but in one clinical trial that studied 175 patients, the average weight loss was about 15 pounds in three months. This breaks down to 5 pounds per month if there is a steady state of weight loss.
Average weight loss in a month with Ozempic
Determining the average weight loss you can expect in a month on Ozempic is tricky. This drug is intended for long-term use for Type 2 diabetes, not quick-fix weight loss plans.
“Medication studies of the 2-milligram (mg) dosing show an average of 14 pounds lost over 10 months on treatment,” says Erika Luren, NP, owner of Parasol Aesthetics, Dermatology & Wellness in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Nonetheless, I have seen patients in my clinic lose on average 1–2 pounds a week.”
Ultimately, the number of pounds lost in a month is less telling than the percentage of body weight lost. In the study in which participants lost 5 pounds per month, the percentages of body weight lost were 5.9% in three months and 10.9% in six months.
Factors that can influence weight loss on Ozempic
From diet to dosage, many factors impact how many pounds you may lose by the end of your first, third, or sixth month on Ozempic.
“The amount of weight loss is related to the dose of Ozempic and the personal changes you make,” emphasizes Christina Bookwalter, Pharm.D., a clinical pharmacist practitioner based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In general, a lower dose of Ozempic tends to result in fewer pounds lost, while a higher dose will result in more significant weight loss. The maximum Ozempic dosage is 2 mg per week, according to the drug label. Because Ozempic is only FDA approved for Type 2 diabetes, some healthcare providers won’t prescribe it for weight loss. For weight loss purposes, the FDA has approved Wegovy, which has the same active ingredient, semaglutide, and is made by the same manufacturer, Novo Nordisk. The highest Wegovy dosage is 2.4 mg weekly.
Apart from higher doses of semaglutide, lifestyle interventions significantly impact the amount of weight you can lose on Ozempic. Both experts we spoke with emphasized the importance of diet and exercise, even for those taking weight loss drugs. Ozempic helps you lose weight by decreasing your appetite and making you feel full longer. You’ll eat less food on Ozempic, but the type of food still matters. A healthy, balanced diet is still vital.
Finally, it’s important to consider the impact of other prescription drugs. “Any medication that can cause weight gain could theoretically impact the amount of weight lost from Ozempic,” Bookwalter says.
Medications that may cause weight gain include certain:
- Anti-diabetic medications
- Antidepressants
- Anti-epileptic medications
- Antihistamines
- Antihypertensives
- Antipsychotics
- Corticosteroids
- Mood stabilizers
Trying to drop excess pounds while taking medication with a side effect of weight gain can be an uphill climb. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about how much weight loss is possible if this describes your situation.
The right way to use Ozempic for weight loss
“The right way to lose weight on Ozempic is to pair it with the tried-and-true healthy diet and exercise,” Luren says. In other words, think of Ozempic as a critical player in your weight loss journey—not the only player.
The instructions for taking Ozempic are the same whether you have been prescribed this medication for Type 2 diabetes or weight loss. Ozempic comes as a prefilled weekly injection pen, not a pill, regardless of intended use. Here are some tips on how to use it:
- Always check that the medication in your pen is clear and colorless. Never use Ozempic that looks cloudy or contaminated.
- Inject Ozempic on the same day every week. Take Ozempic at any time of day, with or without food.
- Inject Ozempic under the skin in an area with some fat—your stomach region, upper thigh, or upper arm. Do not inject it into a muscle or vein.
- Always dispose of the needle in a sharps container, and cap the pen before storing your Ozempic. Never share pens or needles.
How to maximize weight loss on Ozempic
Patients who take an active role in changing their eating and exercise habits have the most success with long-term weight loss from weight loss drugs, according to Luren.
Here are a few lifestyle changes that can maximize results on this weight loss medication:
- Prioritize regular physical activity. “Cardio and weight-bearing exercise three to five days a week are the most successful,” says Luren.
- Focus on healthy eating habits. Luren says her patients who eat keto or Mediterranean-style diets are the most successful at weight management. Though these diet plans are different, they prioritize protein, healthy fats, and low sugar.
- Manage stress. Chronic high stress can contribute to high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and weight gain. Ultimately, poorly managed stress can make it harder to lose weight.
