How to Get Prescribed Ozempic For Weight Loss

Like many others struggling to lose weight, you might be wondering how to get an Ozempic^® prescription for weight loss. 

Ozempic (semaglutide) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for type 2 diabetes, not obesity. But healthcare providers, including those operating on the Hers platform, sometimes prescribe Ozempic off-label to support weight loss.

If you’re wondering how to get Ozempic online, you might also want to consider Wegovy^®. Wegovy^®, which also contains semaglutide, is FDA-approved to treat obesity, and it’s available in a stronger dose than Ozempic. 

Some telehealth platforms, like Hers, provide access to Wegovy^® and Ozempic prescription online, if a healthcare provider determines they’re suitable for you. 

We’ve got you covered with info on how to get Ozempic for weight loss, how to get Ozempic online, Ozempic costs, and Ozempic alternatives like Wegovy^®.

Before we sort out how to get prescribed Ozempic for weight loss, let’s cover the basics.

Ozempic is one of the brand names for semaglutide. It’s part of a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. For those who like to dive really deep into the science, GLP-1 (short for glucagon-like peptide-1) is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates insulin and promotes feelings of fullness.

Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs essentially mimic the GLP-1 hormone. They also help your stomach empty more slowly, keeping you feeling full longer.

GLP-1s can reduce cravings, quiet food noise, and increase insulin production, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels.  

If you qualify, you can get a prescription for Ozempic for weight loss from a licensed healthcare provider, either online or in person. 

How to Get Ozempic Online

Now that everything from dog food to donuts can be sent directly to your doorstep (homebodies, rejoice), getting prescribed Ozempic for weight loss online is likely simpler than you think. You’ll just need to choose a telehealth provider.

Through the Hers telehealth platform, licensed healthcare providers prescribe GLP-1 agonists to those who qualify. After a free initial assessment, you’ll be connected with a provider who can help you find the best weight loss medication for your body and your goals.     

While the process of getting Ozempic online varies between platforms, you’ll typically be asked a few basic questions about your health and body weight. This will help determine your BMI (body mass index) to see if you’re eligible. Then you’ll be connected with a prescribing healthcare professional who’ll take it from there.

Want to know your BMI? Check out the Hers BMI Calculator. 

Some telehealth platforms, like Hers, also offer additional services like free, ongoing access to your healthcare team, behavioral change exercises, and healthy eating tips.

In addition to Ozempic, Hers offers access to Wegovy^® and a range of other prescription weight loss medications, so you can find a treatment that suits your needs (and your budget). 

How to Get Ozempic in Person

Wondering who can prescribe Ozempic for weight loss? You don’t need to find a specialist, but the drug can only be prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider (like your primary care physician, a physician’s assistant, or a nurse practitioner).

Getting Ozempic in person can be a good idea because your provider can perform a thorough physical health exam, discuss existing medical conditions, and order any necessary lab tests. 

If you want to get Ozempic in person, make an appointment to see your primary care physician or a general practitioner and let them know you’re interested in medications that may support weight loss.

To officially qualify for Ozempic (and get it covered by insurance), you’ll need to have a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Though many providers are willing to prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss. In such cases, providers may use the Wegovy^® guidelines to determine whether you qualify for an Ozempic prescription. 

Wegovy^® is another semaglutide drug that’s approved for treating obesity and overweight.

FDA guidelines state that to be appropriate for Wegovy^®, you must have a BMI of 30 or greater, or a BMI of at least 27 with at least one weight-related health condition (things like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, or sleep apnea). 

Our guide on how to qualify for semaglutide goes into more detail.

Can You Get an Ozempic Prescription Without Diabetes?

Ozempic can be prescribed “off-label” for weight loss. Off-label use means a medication is prescribed by a healthcare provider for something other than what it’s FDA-approved for — in this case, type 2 diabetes.

If you don’t have diabetes (but do have obesity or overweight and a weight-related condition like heart disease), you may also be able to get a prescription for a different GLP-1 agonist. 

Weight loss injections that are FDA-approved for obesity include Wegovy^® (semaglutide) and Zepbound^® (tirzepatide). 

Here’s the not-great news: your health insurance is unlikely to cover the cost of Ozempic if it’s used for weight management. Weight loss drugs are rarely covered by insurance, though this could change in the future.  

Learn more: Are Weight Loss Drugs Covered By Insurance?

How Much Does Ozempic Cost?

To put it mildly, Ozempic isn’t cheap. The list price for one Ozempic pen (which contains two to four doses) is almost $1,000. 

Also, don’t forget to factor in the cost of continued use when crunching numbers. Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists aren’t a one-and-done situation. You may need to take them for a long time or indefinitely to maintain your weight.  

A 2022 study sponsored by Novo Nordisk (the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy^®) showed that after a year without semaglutide injections, participants had regained an average of two-thirds of their lost body weight. 

How to Get Ozempic Without Insurance

The process of getting Ozempic is the same whether insurance covers it or not. If you’re paying out of pocket, you’ll still need to consult a healthcare professional in person or through a telehealth platform to get a prescription.

When filling that prescription, you’ll pay for it outright at the pharmacy instead of having them bill your insurance, or pay through the telehealth platform.

To get the best price, look into drug coupon codes and other cost savings options.

We cover more on Ozempic costs here.

If you’re super by-the-book, off-label drug use may seem scary or like you’re breaking the rules — but the practice is quite common. There’s no need to feel sheepish asking about a medication that may help you.

Tell your provider why you’re interested in Ozempic — a good doctor won’t judge you or your desire to use a weight loss medication.

They’ll likely ask about your medical history, go over your eligibility, and consider anything that might make you a bad candidate for Ozempic. From there, you can work together to develop a treatment plan. 

If Ozempic isn’t suitable for you, they can recommend other medications that can support weight loss.

Many GLP-1 agonist medications that work similarly to Ozempic are now available. There are also other medications that can be used for weight management — including weight loss pills.

Wegovy^®

We already talked about Wegovy^®, so we’ll keep it brief. The active ingredient in Wegovy^® is semaglutide, but unlike Ozempic, it’s FDA-approved for weight loss.

It’s also a weekly injection and is available in higher doses of semaglutide than Ozempic. Wegovy^® also leads to more significant weight loss than Ozempic. 

Clinical trials found that people taking Wegovy^® lost an average of about 20 percent of their body weight over 68 weeks.

Metformin

Metformin (generic for Glucophage^®, Riomet^®, and Glumetza^®) is a prescription medication that’s FDA-approved to treat diabetes, but sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss.

It’s not totally understood how metformin helps with weight loss, but it appears to increase how much GLP-1 the body makes. By signaling a feeling of fullness to your body, you’ll likely eat less because you don’t feel as hungry.

Learn more: Ozempic vs. Metformin for Weight Loss.

Saxenda^® (Liraglutide)

Saxenda is an injectable GLP-1 agonist medication like Ozempic and Wegovy^®. You know the drill — these medications suppress appetite and reduce cravings for fatty foods.

The main difference is that Saxenda’s active ingredient is liraglutide, which works similarly to semaglutide but it’s taken as a daily injection. 

Zepbound^® and Mounjaro^® (Tirzepatide)

Zepbound and Mounjaro are two other injectables used to treat obesity. They’re both brand names for tirzepatide — Mounjaro is approved for diabetes (but sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss) and Zepbound is approved for weight management.

Tirzepatide works similarly to semaglutide, except it’s a dual agonist. This means that in addition to activating GLP-1, it also activates glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).

Contrave^® (Naltrexone-Bupropion)

Like a married couple with a hyphenated last name, Contrave^® (naltrexone-bupropion) is a fusion of two drugs that together work to promote weight loss.

Naltrexone is commonly used to help manage cravings in people with alcohol and drug dependence, but it may also reduce the reward effects of food. Bupropion is used for the treatment of depression and to help quit smoking. With their powers combined, this medication reduces appetite and helps control food cravings.

Topiramate

Topiramate (generic for Trokendi XR^®, Qudexy XR^®, and Topamax^®) is typically used for treating epilepsy and migraines, but it’s also approved for weight management in those with a BMI over 30 when combined with another medication, phentermine. This prescription drug suppresses appetite, often resulting in reduced calorie intake.

Compounded Semaglutide

Compounded semaglutide contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy^®. Although they are not FDA-approved, compounded medications can be prescribed for people who need specialized dosing or who are allergic to one of the inactive ingredients in a medication.   

Hers offers access to a range of prescription weight loss treatments, including both GLP-1 injections and weight loss pills. Through Hers, you can get Ozempic online if a provider determines it’s right for you. 

Hers offers weight loss injections starting from $299 a month with a 12-month subscription. Options include:

• Ozempic

• Wegovy^®

• Generic liraglutide

Hers also offers access to personalized oral weight loss medication kits starting from $69 a month with a 10-month plan. 

Hers oral weight loss kits may include some combination of the following medications:

• Metformin

• Naltrexone

• Topiramate

• Buproprion

With Hers, you get unlimited, 24/7 access to providers if you have questions or need dose adjustments. You also get access to the Hers app at no additional cost. There you’ll find: 

• Tools to track your progress, protein intake, hydration, and more

• Meal plans and healthy recipes

• Expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, and sleep

• Behavior change exercises 

Want to learn more? Start a free online assessment to discover what options may be right for you. 

Ozempic can be a helpful piece of the weight loss puzzle, but it’s not without its side effects.

Common side effects of Ozempic include: 

• Stomach pain 

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Heartburn

A Novo Nordisk study found that the gastrointestinal side effects of Ozempic are typically mild to moderate and resolve with time. 

Who Shouldn’t Take Ozempic

According to Ozempic’s safety pamphlet, the medication could be unsafe for people with acute gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, diabetic retinopathy, kidney problems, or a family history of thyroid cancer.

Also, be sure to let your provider know if you’re pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding.

Can Ozempic be prescribed for weight loss? Yes, it can be prescribed off-label for weight loss. 

Here’s what to remember about how to get Ozempic for weight loss:

• There aren’t specific Ozempic qualifications when it’s prescribed for weight loss, but many prescribers will use the same BMI guidelines that Wegovy^® has. The general guidelines are that you either need to have a BMI of 30 or more or a BMI of 27 or more with a weight-related medical condition.

• Alternatives to Ozempic include more affordable options like Wegovy^® metformin, topiramate, and other oral weight loss medications. 

• Weight loss is a very personal journey, and in the end, the choice to seek out a medication like semaglutide is entirely yours.