Semaglutide (Ozempic) for weight loss

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic, an injection that can be prescribed to treat weight loss. It comes in the form of a pre-filled injection pen that you administer yourself just once a week.

It is suitable for those who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and over, or 27 and over and have weight-related complications. Semaglutide should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise regime to fully benefit from the treatment.

Ozempic is also used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, as it helps control blood sugar levels. For more information about the use of Semaglutide for type 2 diabetes, please refer to our other page on Ozempic for diabetes.

Please note: Semaglutide for weight loss is currently prescribed off-label.

Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 (glucagon-like-peptide-1) analogues alongside liraglutide (Saxenda).

GLP-1 is a natural hormone that exists in the body known as an incretin hormone. It is responsible for managing blood glucose and appetite. Semaglutide works by increasing GLP-1 levels which helps with blood sugar management in two key ways:

• promotes insulin production from the pancreas when your blood sugar levels are too high
• reduces excess sugar (glucose) from the liver when it is not needed

This is why it is primarily used for type 2 diabetes management. However, this mechanism also causes your stomach to empty and digest food more slowly after eating, which makes you feel fuller for longer.

For that reason, it can help reduce body weight and body fat mass as well as reduce your preference for high-fat foods when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise regime.

The main benefit of Semaglutide is that it is a clinically proven weight loss treatment. A 2021 clinical trial called STEP1 was published in the New England Journal of Medicine which investigated the efficacy of Semaglutide in treating obesity.

They monitored the progress of 1961 adults with a BMI of over 30 (or over 27 with weight-related condition) for 68 weeks. Half took a placebo, an inactive drug that is believed to be the weight-loss drug, and the other half took Semaglutide.

They found that those who took the Semaglutide had a 14.9% loss in body weight, when combined with a healthy diet and exercise, compared to those who took the placebo and lost 2.4% of their body weight. This is a significant difference and success.

Whilst currently an off-label treatment, in February 2022 NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) in the UK recommended it for obesity treatment. This means Semaglutide (under the brand Wegovy) will soon be licensed and won’t need to be prescribed off-label.

Semaglutide (Ozempic) is available in 3 different dosages: 0.25, 0.5 and 1mg. There are also two different colours of pre-filled pens. The 0.25 and 0.5mg doses are contained in the red-label pens whilst the 1mg dose is contained in the blue-label pen.

For weight loss, you will be initially prescribed the 0.25mg dose. Once you are stable on that dose for 4 weeks, it can then be increased to the 0.5mg dose. You can then be prescribed the 1mg dose after 4 weeks of being stable on the 0.5mg dose. Not everyone needs the 1mg dose, some may only require a 0.5mg maintenance dose.

Semaglutide should be administered once a week, preferably at the same day and time each week to maximise the effectiveness of the drug. However if you do have to change the day you take it, you can as long as your last dose was at least 2 days prior.

You should inject Semaglutide into the thighs, lower abdomen or your upper arm. A short guide on how to inject it is as follows:

1. Prepare the pen and needle - check the name and label of the pen, check the colour of the solution in the pen is clear, not cloudy, and take a new needle.
2. Place the new needle - by tearing off the paper tab, push the needle onto the pen and twist it tight, remove the outer cap and keep it to the side and remove the inner needle cap and dispose.
3. Check the flow - turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows the flow check symbol, hold the pen with the needle pointing up, press and hold in the dose button until the dose counter returns to 0. A drop of solution should appear at the needle tip.
4. Select the dose - keep turning the dose counter until the dose counter stops and shows 0.25mg, 0.5mg or 1mg depending on the dose you require.
5. Inject the dose - insert the needle into your skin and press and hold down the dose button until it shows 0, you may hear or feel a click. Make sure to keep the needle in and count slowly to 6 before removing, to make sure you get the full dose.

A thorough guide with instructions and diagrams will be available in the patient information leaflet which is supplied in the box with your medication or can be downloaded online from this page.

If you miss a dose, and it has been less than 5 days since your scheduled dose, you should take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it has been more than 5 days since your last dose, do not take an additional dose. Take your next dose at the scheduled time. This is because too much Semaglutide can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia).

It’s crucial that your pens are stored in the fridge at 2 - 8°C and kept away from any direct light source. An opened pen can last for 6 weeks before it expires. Do not freeze Semaglutide pens.

As with most prescription medications, Semaglutide can cause some side effects. However, the most common side effects are mild and temporary.

Common side effects include:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• being sick (vomiting)
• diarrhoea
• indigestion
• acid reflux and heartburn
• inflammation of the stomach (gastritis)
• stomach pain
• weight loss
• tiredness
• dizziness
• loss of appetite

Because Semaglutide (Ozempic) is primarily used to control blood sugar levels, it can cause hypo (hypoglycaemia) where your blood sugar levels drop too low. This is more likely to occur if you take any medications for diabetes.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be experiencing hypo and you should remedy it immediately:

• pale skin
• cold sweat
• feeling nervous, anxious or confused
• feeling sick and/or very hungry
• vision changes
• feeling sleepy or weak
• difficulty concentrating
• shaking

For a comprehensive list of side effects, please consult the patient information leaflet

Those with a BMI of 30 or over can take Semaglutide for weight loss. You may also take Semaglutide if you have a BMI of 27 or over and have any weight-related conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or type 2 diabetes.

This medication is not suitable for:

• women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• those with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis
• those who are allergic to semaglutide or any of the other listed ingredients

Some other groups of people are able to take Semaglutide, but may require additional monitoring from their doctor whilst using it, including those who:

• are taking insulin or other diabetes medications
• are being treated for diabetic retinopathy
• are taking warfarin to reduce blood clotting
• have a history of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• have or have had severe congestive heart failure

If you’re not sure if you fall under any of these categories, you should consult with your GP or healthcare provider before taking Semaglutide.

Semaglutide 0.25, 0.5 and 1mg pre-filled injections are available to purchase off-label here at HealthExpress for weight loss treatment. You have to complete a short, confidential medical questionnaire online before you can purchase Semaglutide. This questionnaire will then be reviewed by one of our UK registered doctors to make sure you are suitable for treatment. Once they have approved, your medication will be dispatched directly to your door with free next-day delivery.