Top 7 Ozempic Alternatives for Weight Loss

Ozempic^® is FDA-approved to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. But it’s often prescribed off-label for weight loss — that’s when a drug is prescribed for something it’s not FDA-approved to treat. Unfortunately, Ozempic carries a hefty price tag. But there are plenty of Ozempic alternatives out there, including more affordable weight loss medications. 

Keep reading for a closer look at the top Ozempic alternatives, including GLP-1 injections and oral medications, so you can find the right fit for your body and your budget.

If you’re looking for weight loss medications similar to Ozempic, there are other weight loss injections and weight loss pills to consider. Some drugs are FDA-approved for weight loss, and others are prescribed off-label.

Here’s an overview of your options before we dive into the details.

1. Wegovy^®

Looking for weight loss drugs like Ozempic? You can’t get much closer than Wegovy^®.

Like Ozempic^®, Wegovy^® is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, and it has the active ingredient semaglutide. It’s a once-a-week injection that reduces appetite and promotes weight loss.

Wegovy^® is available in a higher dose of semaglutide than Ozempic, and it’s FDA-approved for weight loss.

Wegovy^® is approved for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. It’s also approved for those with a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related condition, like hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, sleep apnea, or type 2 diabetes.

The FDA also approved Wegovy^® to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with excess body weight or obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Clinical trials have shown that Wegovy^® can support significant weight loss when combined with healthy lifestyle changes. On average, people lose around 20 percent of their body weight over roughly 16 months.

A healthcare provider will probably start you on a 0.25-milligram (mg) dose and gradually increase it over time until you reach a maintenance dose of up to 2.4 mg.

2. Mounjaro

Mounjaro is FDA-approved to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood glucose levels (aka blood sugar levels). Just like Ozempic, it’s often prescribed off-label for weight loss.

It’s also a once-a-week injectable medication, but the active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide.

Tirzepatide is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist and a GLP-1 medication. In other words, tirzepatide acts on two hormones, while semaglutide just acts on one.

As far as effectiveness, an Eli Lilly-funded review found that 10-milligram and 15-milligram doses of tirzepatide were more effective for weight loss than 2-milligram doses of semaglutide. But 2-milligram doses of semaglutide were similar to 5 milligrams of tirzepatide — so it all depends on which dose your body tolerates.

Most people start on a 2.5-milligram dose of tirzepatide and gradually increase up to a maximum dose of 15 milligrams.

We’ve compared Mounjaro versus Ozempic if you want to learn more.

3. Zepbound

Zepbound is Mounjaro’s weight loss-approved counterpart.

It’s another brand name for tirzepatide. Zepbound comes in the same dose as Mounjaro and works in the same way.

The only difference is that Zepbound is FDA-approved for weight loss. It’s approved for those with a BMI of 30 or more or 27 or more with a weight-related condition.

Learn more about Zepbound versus Mounjaro in our blog.

4. Saxenda

Saxenda is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with the active ingredient liraglutide. It’s approved for chronic weight management in people with a BMI of 30 or more or 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition.

Liraglutide works similarly to semaglutide. By suppressing appetite, it can help you eat fewer calories and promote weight loss.

A medical provider would probably get you started on a 0.6-milligram dose of Saxenda. This would slowly increase each week until you reach a maximum dose of 3 milligrams a day.

Research shows that participants taking a 3-milligram daily dose of liraglutide for a year experienced weight loss, and it led to more weight loss when combined with adequate protein intake and increased physical activity.

Some studies sponsored by Novo Nordisk (the manufacturer of Ozempic) show that semaglutide may be more effective than liraglutide for weight loss.

Victoza is another option containing liraglutide and is also injected once a day. Victoza is FDA-approved to help with blood sugar control for folks with type 2 diabetes, but it’s also prescribed off-label for weight loss.

Generic Alternatives to Ozempic

What is a cheaper alternative to Ozempic? Generic medications can be a good option to look into. They tend to be more affordable than the name-brand versions.

Another semaglutide alternative for weight loss is generic liraglutide. At the time of this publication, it’s the only generic GLP-1 available. The active ingredient in Victoza and Saxenda is liraglutide.

5. Rybelsus

Rybelsus has the active ingredient semaglutide, but it comes in pill form. This can make it a great alternative to Ozempic for weight loss if you’re not a fan of needles.

As with many drugs on this list, Rybelsus is FDA-approved as a diabetes medication, but it’s often prescribed off-label for weight loss.

You’d take one Rybelsus tablet a day, 30 minutes before having any food, drink, or other medication.

Your starting dose would probably be 3 milligrams a day, which would increase to 7 milligrams after 30 days. After another 30 days, your healthcare provider might increase your dose to 14 milligrams a day if needed.

6. Metformin

Metformin is another oral medication. It’s used as a diabetes drug, but again, it can be prescribed off-label for weight loss.

It’s thought that metformin helps with weight loss by suppressing appetite and changing the gut microbiome to promote weight loss.

Studies back it up. A 2020 meta-analysis of 21 trials found that metformin treatment could reduce BMI by one unit (like going from a BMI of 27.5 to 26.5).

There are more metformin benefits beyond weight loss, including anti-tumor effects and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Check out our guide to Ozempic versus metformin for more details on how the two compare.

If you’re already taking Ozempic and want to switch to an alternative weight loss medication, speak with a healthcare provider to see what your options are.

If suitable, they can write you a new prescription, recommend the best way to come off Ozempic, and tell you when to start your new medication.

Your provider might get you started on a low dose of your new medication and gradually increase it, even if you were previously on a higher dose of Ozempic.

Our guide to switching from Ozempic to Mounjaro goes into more detail as an example.

There are no true over-the-counter alternatives to Ozempic. Prescription medications like Ozempic, Zepbound, and metformin require a licensed healthcare provider’s supervision and aren’t available without one.

That said, one FDA-approved OTC option is Alli^® (the active ingredient is orlistat) — a weight loss aid that can help people lose a modest amount of weight when used correctly. Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor, meaning it reduces the amount of fat your body absorbs from food. This can help create a calorie deficit, which is key for weight loss.

You may also come across OTC dietary supplements marketed for weight loss, including:

• Magnesium

• Protein

• Fiber

• Vitamin B12

These aren’t regulated by the FDA like prescription medications and aren’t proven to have the same impact as GLP-1s like semaglutide — but they can play a supportive role in overall wellness.

If you’re looking for ways to support weight loss without medication, your best bet is to focus on science-backed lifestyle changes.

These natural strategies may not be as fast-acting as GLP-1 medication, but they’re powerful over time and can work in tandem with medication.

Some of the most effective natural alternatives to Ozempic include:

• Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains

• Drinking more water to stay hydrated and support digestion

• Moving your body more regularly — even light daily activity can make a difference

• Getting enough quality sleep, which is linked to better appetite regulation and metabolic health

If you want structured support, you can also consider a holistic weight loss program, like those offered through Hers. Hers programs combine expert guidance with access to both prescription medications and non-prescription tools through a comprehensive app to help you reach your goals safely and sustainably.

Here’s what to keep in mind about Ozempic alternatives:

• If you’re looking for prescription medications like Ozempic for weight loss, you have plenty of options.

• A healthcare professional can walk you through which ones are best for you and offer personalized medical advice.

Take our free weight loss assessment to see if you’re eligible for treatment and discover your options, from Ozempic to Wegovy^® and beyond.

Ozempic^® and Wegovy^® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Hims, Inc. is not affiliated with or endorsed by Novo Nordisk A/S.