Can You Buy Ozempic® Over The Counter?

Ozempic® has gained traction recently, and many people are curious about its uses, whether it is an appropriate option for them, and how to get it. With lots of information out there, it is important to make well-informed choices regarding your health and well-being. You can read this article for everything you need to know.

What Is Ozempic®?

Ozempic®, also known as one form of semaglutide, is a glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog that has historically been used to help manage type II diabetes. [1] Recently, Ozempic® has also been used to help people manage their weight. However, the FDA has not approved it for weight loss purposes.

Typically, to qualify for Ozempic®, a person needs to have a body mass index (BMI) that signifies obesity and/or being overweight with other weight-related comorbidities. [1] If someone is using Ozempic® without these qualifications, they are typically not doing so under the prescription of a healthcare provider.

How To Acquire Ozempic®

The process of acquiring Ozempic® will vary from person to person depending on their access to healthcare provider services, clinical status, availability of the drug, and financial means. Currently, Ozempic® has not been approved by the FDA for weight loss alone. [2] As stated above, Ozempic® is approved for those with type II diabetes and/or those who may have a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or death from type II diabetes and heart disease. [2] If you fall under one of these criteria, you may be able to acquire Ozempic® via a prescription from a healthcare provider’s office. However, due to the drug’s increased popularity, it may be difficult for those who meet these criteria to obtain the drug due to shortages that can take place. You cannot buy Ozempic® over the counter.

Getting a prescription for Ozempic® from your healthcare provider is also at your healthcare provider’s discretion. This means that even if you fit a criterion on paper, it is ultimately up to the healthcare provider to decide if prescribing Ozempic® is best for you by evaluating the whole person. There are side effects to any medication, and a healthcare provider can make a judgment call based on your complete personal and medical history.

According to a study published in JAMA Network Open, Ozempic® is helpful for patients who want to lose weight. While patients in the study who were overweight or obese did lose weight, patients who had diabetes lost more weight than those who did not have diabetes. [3] While more studies are needed within different patient populations who take Ozempic®, acquiring Ozempic® is ultimately a case-by-case basis depending on many factors and up to the discretion of the healthcare provider.

What Are Other Weight Loss Medication Options?

There are currently six weight loss drugs that are approved by the FDA for long-term use. [4] These include:

• Bupropion-naltrexone
• Liraglutide
• Orlistat
• Phentermine-topiramate
• Semaglutide (Wegovy®)
• Setmelanotide

Not all of these drugs work the same way in the body. Some may affect hunger and fullness hormones, while others may inhibit the body’s ability to absorb nutrients like carbs and/or fat. [4]

Bupropion-naltrexone is a combination drug. Independently, the drugs have been used to treat conditions like addiction and depression. The combination of the two drugs blocks several of the opiate receptors in the body, reducing the pleasure effect that food intake has on the brain by affecting endorphin levels. [5] In individuals who struggle with food cravings and non-hunger eating, food intake may be reduced due to less pleasurable feelings associated with food intake. This drug combination also helps activate the fullness hormones, signaling the brain to stop eating, ultimately reducing food intake. It is found that this drug still works best when combined with lifestyle interventions and dietary changes. [4]

Similar to Ozempic®, liraglutide is a GLP-1 agonist drug approved for weight loss that is taken via injection. [5] This drug helps people lose weight by suppressing appetite and delaying gastric emptying. While more research on this drug is needed, it has been shown in one study published in Obesity Science and Practice that it can help aid in glycemic control and weight loss for some people. [5]

Orlistat is a different kind of weight loss medication, as it specifically inhibits the body’s ability to absorb fat. Therefore, if on orlistat, individuals need to follow a low-fat diet, or else they risk malabsorption and gastrointestinal issues. In one study published in Diabetes Care, it was found that orlistat worked effectively in overweight or obese patients who had type II diabetes. [6]

Phentermine-topiramate is another combination drug that combines an anticonvulsant and a stimulant drug. Phentermine is shown to suppress appetite and, although the exact mechanism of topiramate is not well known, the combination drug has shown promise in helping people lose weight. [7]

Lastly, setmelanotide has been shown to aid people with weight loss goals due to its effect on reduction in appetite. This drug is a melanocortin-1-receptor (MC1R) agonist, and this receptor stimulation may help suppress appetite in some patient populations. While it has been reported that this drug can cause side effects in some, it has been shown effective in reducing weight. [8]

Side Effects of Weight Loss Medications

With the discussion of any weight loss medication, there should also be a discussion of side effects. With Ozempic®, a healthcare provider may decide that the side effects outweigh the benefit of preventing the progression of type II diabetes and/or comorbidities that someone may have that may put their life at risk. If someone is seeking weight loss medications due to BMI alone (meaning that they have no other clinical conditions or comorbidities), it is important to weigh the side effects with the pros of losing weight.

While side effects vary based on which drug you choose to take and an individual’s unique case, one commonly reported side effect includes the malabsorption of certain nutrients like fats and/or carbs. This may result in gastric distress if these nutrients are consumed in too large of a quantity for the body to metabolize. [9] Other side effects that have been reported with some of the weight loss drugs include constipation, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and changes in heart rate. [9]

To minimize side effects, a qualified healthcare provider must oversee the beginning and dosage of these medications. They may be able to dose the medication at a more appropriate rate to help mitigate any side effects that can occur by starting a high dose of medication too quickly. For example, some people report nausea as a common side effect when starting new weight loss medications. [9] Dosing these meds at a slower rate may help reduce nausea symptoms.

In addition, if side effects persist and/or are severe, it is essential to report them to your healthcare provider as soon as possible to receive swift and appropriate treatment. There has been a history of weight loss drugs being removed from the market due to life-threatening side effects, so it is important not to overlook these effects and to seek help when needed.

As always, it is advised to pair a weight loss drug with positive changes to diet and/or lifestyle, if possible. For example, if you can begin moving your body for exercise, pairing these behaviors with taking a new drug will be more advantageous for both mind and body. If your diet could use some assistance, consider working with a qualified healthcare provider like a dietitian to help you make appropriate and stepwise changes that can benefit your overall health.

Take Control of Your Health With Everlywell

Combatting weight issues is not something that you need to battle alone. Everlywell has a Weight Care+ program where you can take matters into your own hands. Work with our team of healthcare providers who have access to FDA-approved and compounded drugs that a local healthcare provider prescribes. The WeightCare+ program helps tackle several important challenges like dealing with insurance, finding the right medication for you and your needs, check-ins with providers to ensure that you are on the right track, and at-home lab testing. Take control of your weight and well-being today with Everlywell.

1. Garvey WT, Batterham RL, Bhatta M, et al. Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 5 trial. Nat Med. 2022;28(10):2083-2091. doi:10.1038/s41591-022-02026-4. Medical Citation URL.
2. FDA error. FDA. Last reviewed January 10, 2024. Accessed August 11, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
3. Ghusn W, De la Rosa A, Sacoto D, et al. Weight loss outcomes associated with semaglutide treatment for patients with overweight or obesity. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(9):e2231982. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.31982. Medical Citation URL.
4. Tek C. Naltrexone HCI/bupropion HCI for chronic weight management in obese adults: patient selection and perspectives. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2016;10:751-759. doi:10.2147/PPA.S84778. Medical Citation URL.
5. Mehta A, Marso SP, Neeland IJ. Liraglutide for weight management: a critical review of the evidence. Obes Sci Pract. 2017;3(1):3-14. doi:10.1002/osp4.84. Medical Citation URL.
6. Kelley DE, Bray GA, Pi-Sunyer FX, et al. Clinical efficacy of orlistat therapy in overweight and obese patients with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes: A 1-year randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Care. 2002;25(6):1033-1041. doi:10.2337/diacare.25.6.1033. Medical Citation URL.
7. Singh J, Kumar R. Phentermine-topiramate: First combination drug for obesity. Int J Appl Basic Med Res. 2015;5(2):157-158. doi:10.4103/2229-516X.157177. Medical Citation URL.
8. Ferraz Barbosa B, Aquino de Moraes FC, Bordignon Barbosa C, et al. Efficacy and safety of setmelanotide, a melanocortin-4 receptor agonist, for obese patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pers Med. 2023;13(10):1460. doi:10.3390/jpm13101460. Medical Citation URL.