Is Ozempic Safe To Use For Weight Loss?

Dr Ashwin Sharma

July 17, 2024

You may have seen that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently released a global alert about batches of ‘fake Ozempic’ circulating illegitimate online pharmacies and social media sites. You'd be right to think that these counterfeit drugs pose a serious danger to health, not only because they’re unregulated and may not contain safe ingredients, but they can also be accessed by people who are ineligible for weight loss treatments.

Our team here at levity is made up of qualified healthcare professionals and we operate as a legitimate online pharmacy, with rigorous customer eligibility checks to ensure Ozempic is prescribed and used safely by anyone looking to lose weight.

Let’s explore how the drug works, and how to avoid accidental purchases of ‘fake Ozempic’.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a relatively new drug, which has gained significant media attention for its ability to support weight loss. Although it was initially designed as a drug to control type 2 diabetes, it’s shown clinically proven benefits for people looking to lose body weight (or decrease their body mass index) and improve their overall health. The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, which belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists.

How does Ozempic work?‍

It works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). This hormone affects the hunger centers in the brain, reducing appetite and cravings. It also slows the rate the stomach empties, which makes people feel more full after meals, resulting in reduced hunger and fewer calories ingested, leading to weight loss. By mimicking this hormone, the result is decreased hunger, more fullness, and, ultimately, body weight loss.

Ozempic doesn’t just aid weight loss — it’s also been found to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose control. By enhancing the body's response to insulin and reducing blood sugar fluctuations, Ozempic not only works as a diabetes treatment but also has the additional benefit of supporting weight management. [1] By enhancing the body's response to insulin and reducing blood sugar fluctuations, it helps stabilize energy levels, reduces hunger, and prevents fat storage, leading to weight loss.

Although Ozempic can be an effective weight loss solution, it’s essential to make lifestyle changes such as healthy eating and regular exercise for optimal results.

Is it safe to buy Ozempic online?

To protect yourself from unsafe pharmacies, it’s important to be cautious when accessing medicines online. Only licensed and regulated online pharmacies are safe to use, and if they’re not, it’s not possible to know whether or not they’re legitimate providers.

Avoid online pharmacies that aren’t licensed with an official number in the US — this should be visible on the company’s website. Be wary of any site offering suspiciously low prices or high discounts, as branded Ozempic is typically priced around $1,119 per month.

Remember: Ozempic is a prescription-only medication, and therefore should never be issued without a prescription from a licensed physician, and to anyone with a BMI lower than 30 (or 27 for those with weight-related health conditions). Any online provider claiming to offer the drug without confirming your identity, asking for photo evidence and completing your background health checks should be avoided.

Levity Healthcare Inc. is a licensed telehealth service with a registered pharmacy in the United States. We use the same pharmaceutical suppliers and wholesalers as drug store pharmacies, and every treatment we issue is approved by a medical professional.

Is Ozempic approved by the FDA?

Ozempic is only approved by the FDA for the treatment of diabetes, and is prescribed off-licence weight loss. Wegovy, which includes the same active ingredient as Ozempic (semaglutide), is specifically approved for the treatment of weight management and at higher doses.

What are the side effects of Ozempic?

Like any medication, Ozempic does come with potential side effects. The most common include gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. However, these side effects tend to be mild and decrease over time.

While most side effects are manageable, some symptoms require urgent medical attention. Potential risks include severe, but rare, side effects such as pancreatitis and allergic reactions. If serious side effects such as pancreatitis or an allergic reaction occur, call 911 immediately.

Managing Ozempic side effects

Taking Ozempic as prescribed can also help reduce side effects. Missed a dose? Take it as soon as possible within five days. If it's been more than five days, skip it completely and resume the once-weekly plan with the next scheduled dose.

Staying hydrated with plenty of clear fluids and resting can also help combat side effects such as headaches, constipation, and diarrhea. Acetaminophen can also be used for pain relief, and antacids like omeprazole for heartburn.

The most common side effect people experience is nausea, and in some cases, vomiting. To ease this, try eating small portions, limiting any intake of high-fat or spicy foods, and slowly sip drinks like ginger tea.

Want to know more about allergic reactions and other side effects? Take a look at our guide from the experts at Levity here.

Is it more or less safe than Compounded Semaglutide?

As mentioned previously, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy is called semaglutide while Compounded Semaglutide is an unbranded version of these medications. When the demand for branded drugs is high, state-licensed pharmacies like Levity are allowed to create similar medications using the same active ingredients to help reduce shortages. A weekly weight loss injection, Compounded Semaglutide works the same way in the body as brand name drugs – mimicking the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone to reduce appetite, cravings and help you feel fuller for longer.

When prepared by state-licensed compounding pharmacies like Levity that meet FDA and state requirements, and that undergo regular inspections, medications like compounded semaglutide are as safe to use as branded drugs. Two notable differences are firstly the price – compounded semaglutide costs up to 85% less than branded medications. Secondly, it comes in a vial and is self-administered using a syringe, rather than a pre-filled pen.

So, is Ozempic safe for weight loss?

It’s important to consult with a health care professional who can assess your body mass index and health history to explore treatment options and determine whether Ozempic is right for you.

Want to know more? You can learn more about compounded semaglutide here, or you can speak to our experts for advice and start a consultation at Levity today.