If you’ve been keeping your finger on the pulse of current weight loss trends on social media, chances are you’ve already heard of Semaglutide. In fact, Semaglutide’s rise to social media fame is one of the major factors currently contributing to a global shortage of the drug!
With more than 614.6 million TikTok views for the word Ozempic as of the end of January 2023, Semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) is being touted as a wonder drug for weight loss. But is it really?
In this post let’s take a look at what semaglutide actually is, how it impacts your body, and how much it costs to purchase.
What Is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in several different prescription drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus (which are all manufactured by Novo Nordisk). It is classified as a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which basically means that it imitates a hormone produced in your gut.
That particular hormone is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels and communicating feelings of satiety (fullness) that elicit responses accordingly from a number of different body systems. It also slows down gastric emptying (the rate at which food leaves the stomach) and the digestive process as a whole.
What Is Semaglutide Used For?
Semaglutide was originally approved as a non-insulin Type 2 Diabetes treatment for adults. Known to stimulate the natural pancreatic production of insulin, it remains a life-saving medication that can also help to reduce the risks of major cardiovascular events in Type 2 Diabetes patients with related cardiovascular issues.
Semaglutide can also promote weight loss when complemented with a healthy diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. After a series of clinical trials, Wegovy has been approved specifically as a weight loss drug, while Ozempic and Rybelsus remain solely approved for the treatment of Type 2 Diabeteswith weight loss as a secondary effect for many patients.
How Is Semaglutide Taken?
Ozempic and Wegovy are injected subcutaneously (under the skin) and come in pre-filled, single-patient injectable pens. In liquid form, Semaglutide is usually injected once weekly into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Patients begin weekly injections at lower doses and slowly build up to higher doses to increase tolerance and decrease side effects.
Rybelsus comes in tablet form and is typically taken once per day in the morning. It must be consumed on a completely empty stomach.
How Much Does Semaglutide Cost?
In the United States, the cost of Semaglutide is high! According to GoodRX, the current average cost for a month’s supply of Semaglutide is as follows:
Semaglutide is not yet available in generic form, which is reflected in the brand name price tag associated with it. Be wary of any online services that claim to sell generic Semaglutide at cheaper prices or don’t require you to provide a prescription for it.
Semaglutide & Insurance Coverage
Is Ozempic covered by insurance? How about other forms of Semaglutide? The answer is: It depends. On several factors, actually.
These include:
- Your particular insurance provider
- Your specific health insurance plan
- Whether or not your Semaglutide prescription is on label or off label (e.g. Ozempic prescribed for weight loss is considered off label)
- Your deductible for prescription drugs
- Your copay
In most cases, insurance can cover some portion of the cost of Semaglutide, but the coverage percentage varies widely. In some cases, Semaglutide may be almost completely covered by insurance. In others, it may qualify for very minimal coverage.
Where Can I Purchase Semaglutide?
As long as you have a prescription written by a US-certified physician, you should be able to purchase Semaglutide at just about any US pharmacy. But be aware that prices may vary by location.
You can also purchase Semaglutide online, often at cheaper prices. This is especially true if you source the drug from outside of the US. If you do opt to go this route, however, be sure to order from a reputable drug provider located in a country with a highly regulated pharmaceutical industry (e.g., Canada or western European nations).
As mentioned above, be very cautious of any online services that claim to offer extremely low prices, don’t require a prescription, or don’t provide a phone number on their website.
The Takeaway
To conclude, Semaglutide is a prescription medication that is approved for treating Type 2 Diabetes and weight-related conditions in different forms and strengths. While it does promote healthy weight loss under the right conditions, it’s not without risks and won’t be the right choice for everyone.
None of the information in this post constitutes medical advice. To decide if Semaglutide may be the right choice for you, consult directly with your healthcare provider.
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