As with any medication, there are risks associated with Ozempic. It’s important to talk with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have.
A full in-person medical exam and routine blood work are required before starting this drug. It’s also important to discuss other medications, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a once-weekly injection that helps you manage your blood sugar and lower your risk for heart and blood vessel problems. It works by stimulating your pancreas to release insulin when you eat. It is similar to other medications for diabetes, but it has the added benefit of helping you lose weight. This drug is available by prescription only. It is usually prescribed to adults with type 2 diabetes who have a BMI of 35 kg/m2 or higher. It may also be used to reduce the risk of serious heart-related events in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for them due to other health conditions, such as a history of cardiovascular disease or stroke.
This medication can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Symptoms of low blood sugar include dizziness or lightheadedness, confusion, fast heartbeat, irritability, sweating, drowsiness, hunger, weakness, and a rapid increase in blood glucose level. It is important to drink plenty of fluids while using Ozempic to prevent dehydration.
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. This medication can also cause gallbladder problems, including cholecystitis or cholelithiasis. It is not recommended for use by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It should also not be used by people who have had a thyroid tumor or a family history of them. It is also not known if this medication interacts with other drugs or supplements.
Ozempic for Weight Loss and its generic counterpart, Wegovy, are often covered by insurance when prescribed for type 2 diabetes. However, when it’s prescribed off-label for weight loss, it can cost an average of $900 per month out of pocket. Trunzo says that over-reliance on these medications can be harmful because people tend to think they don’t need to make other lifestyle changes.
Fortunately, there are several options for those who want to try Ozempic but can’t afford the cost. These services allow you to connect with a licensed telehealth professional who will give you a health evaluation and, if appropriate, an electronic prescription for the medication. The service will then provide coaching and support to help you get the most out of the treatment.
How to Get Ozempic
A person can get Ozempic injections by seeing a healthcare professional. The healthcare professional will review a person’s medical history and consider any factors that might make them a poor candidate for the drug. The healthcare professional will also discuss the benefits and risks of the medication. They may order lab tests to confirm that a person is a good candidate for Ozempic.
If a person is interested in taking Ozempic to lose weight, the healthcare professional will help them decide how many injections they need per month. They will also discuss the costs of the injections and how to pay for them. Depending on the person’s insurance coverage, they may be able to find ways to reduce the cost of the injections.
In addition to getting a prescription for Ozempic from a healthcare professional, people can use online services that offer discounted rates on the medication. Some websites and medical practices also sell packages that allow people to prepay for several months of injections at a reduced rate. Some patients can also use a prescription discount card to pay less for the medicine.
Unlike some medications, Ozempic is not sold on the black market. However, the medication is in short supply globally. This is due to an increase in demand for the drug as it is used off-label for weight loss. The shortage is expected to continue throughout 2024. The manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, has been working to meet the increased demand. The company is also expanding production capacity.
The shortage of Ozempic is having a real impact on those who need it for treatment. For example, a woman who is undergoing treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance told Insider she was unable to find the injections in her country. She was able to buy one pen in the US, but she was unsure if her health insurance would cover the medication because she isn’t diabetic.
Despite the shortage, people are still attempting to get their hands on the medication. Some people have been stashing the injections in their carry-on luggage while others are buying them from illegal distributors on the internet. The shortage has also caused some patients to switch to another GLP-1 agonist, Wegovy, which is similar to Ozempic but not marketed for weight loss.
Where to Buy Ozempic
The Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster drug Ozempic has become known to many as the “internet celebrity Weight loss drug.” This injection, which treats Type 2 diabetes, has seen a surge in popularity due to its weight-loss properties. This has led to an increase in demand for the medication and caused a shortage. However, there are still ways to find affordable Ozempic suppliers.
Novo Nordisk has a patient assistance program that can help eligible patients get Ozempic at no cost. The application process is easy and only requires a few basic details, including your name, date of birth, Zip code, and whether you have private insurance or Medicare. It also asks if you’re on any government-sponsored plans such as Medicaid or TRICARE.
For those with insurance, Novo Nordisk offers a discount card that can help reduce the price of the medication by up to 25%. The company’s website makes it easy to access the card, which can be used for one-month or three-month supplies of Ozempic. In order to qualify, you must be at or below 400% of the federal poverty line and not have any other types of coverage for the drug, such as a Medicare Advantage plan.
There are also a number of online pharmacies and telehealth providers that can offer cheap Ozempic. These companies are usually less expensive than in-person visits and can be a great option for those without insurance or who have high-deductibles. However, it’s important to remember that these online services may not be completely safe and should only be used when necessary.
It’s also important to note that although Ozempic is approved for diabetes, it can be prescribed off-label to treat obesity as well. This is a practice that is legal in most states and can be beneficial for some people. It’s recommended that you discuss the pros and cons of using the medication with your healthcare provider.
For many, the benefits of the medication outweigh any risks involved with off-label use. For example, Lisa Delp from Indiana says that the medication has helped her lose 55 pounds and keep it off. Despite the shortage, she’s confident that she can buy the medication she needs at a safe pharmacy and will continue to do so until the supply recovers.
Ozempic Cost
With an average monthly cost of $300 to $800, Ozempic can be difficult for people to afford without insurance coverage. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the price of this medication. For example, Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, offers a savings card that can save individuals up to $150 off of one-month supplies, $300 off of two-month supplies, or $450 off of three-month supplies. The savings card is available for individuals with private or commercial prescription insurance. Individuals with Medicare, Medigap, Medicaid, TRICARE, or VA coverage are not eligible for this program.
Additionally, many pharmacies and online stores offer discounts on this drug. For instance, some pharmacy discount programs like Optum Perks offer coupons that can cut the cost of Ozempic by up to $50. These coupons can be redeemed at more than 200 participating pharmacies including CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Walmart.
Another way to cut the price of Ozempic is to compare prices between different pharmacies. For instance, a one-month supply of 1.5-mg Ozempic pens costs $936 in the United States, but just $705 in the Netherlands and $296 in Sweden. This is a big difference and can help make this medicine more affordable for many people.
Besides helping individuals lose weight, Ozempic is also used to improve their overall health and wellbeing. For example, the medication helps to lower blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications. Additionally, it can also increase self-esteem and confidence. This can encourage individuals to pursue a healthier lifestyle that includes nutritious food, exercise, and body positivity.
The success of Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs has led to a spike in demand, which has resulted in shortages in some countries. To counter this, Lilly and Novo Nordisk are investing in new manufacturing plants. This will allow them to produce more of the popular drugs, making them more accessible to patients.
The rising popularity of Ozempic has caused some people to steal or buy the drug illegally. People have been stashing boxes of the medication in their carry-on luggage, buying counterfeit formulas online, and even importing boxes from Europe. Despite this, demand for the medication remains strong and there is no indication that it will slow down.
