Ozempic (the brand name for injectable semaglutide) can be used for simple, effective weight loss. It's a weekly injection that you administer yourself, and it reduces appetite, makes you feel more full, and increases the body's production of insulin. Research trials have shown that injectable semaglutide can lead to about 15% body weight loss, on average.[1]
Our UK-based pharmacy prescribes Ozempic pens for weight loss alongside our behaviour change programme and unlimited WhatsApp support. The best way to take Ozempic is in combination with a behavioural treatment, and we provide you with both!
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a medication that was originally used to treat type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
GLP-1 is a hormone that is naturally produced in the body and helps to regulate glucose (sugar) levels in the blood. It works by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin (a hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy) and slowing the absorption of glucose from the stomach.
Ozempic mimics the effects of GLP-1 by binding to the GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas, which triggers the pancreas to produce more insulin and slows down the absorption of glucose in the stomach. This helps to lower the levels of glucose in the blood, thus improving glucose control.
Additionally, Ozempic also suppresses appetite by binding to receptors in the brain, which can lead to weight loss as well.
It is important to note that Ozempic should be used in combination with diet and exercise to achieve optimal results.
For those looking to lose weight, Ozempic can be an effective treatment to help make weight loss easier and simpler than with diet and exercise alone. Injectable semaglutide (the same compound in Ozempic, which is the brand name) has been shown to lead to about 15% body weight loss at 1 year, when delivered alongside an effective behavioural treatment.[1] Ozempic can be helpful in any weight loss journey because of the physiological effects it has—namely it reduces hunger, keeps you fuller for longer, and seems to reduce the reward associated with food. For those who have struggled with diets, you'll know that these benefits could be significant in navigating a weight loss journey and achieving your goals.
Ozempic is an injectable medication which is taken once weekly. The tiny needle is virtually painless and the injection can be taken in the thigh, belly, or upper arm. The medication is self-administered, so it can be done from the comfort of home. It should be taken on the same day of the week, so choose a day that you'll be able to remain consistent. On a Habitual Ozempic plan, your subscription will renew once every 4 weeks, and our new treatment will be delivered straight to you, so no need to go into a doctor or have a video call every time you want to access more treatment. We'll just ask for a short online medical consultation before sending your next dose!
The Habitual Ozempic plan costs £169 per month. That includes your medication (regardless of which dose you're on), unlimited 1-on-1 support, weekly behavioural content delivered to your email inbox, and an option peer support group. Whilst you may be able to purchase the medication elsewhere for slightly less, we believe strongly in the importance of a holistic approach, which is why we include support and behavioural change content alongside the medication.
Some private doctors prescribe Ozempic to their patients, or you can access it via an online pharmacy which tends to be more cost effective. You can complete your Habitual consultation online, purchase, and verify your identity all online and within minutes. Learn more about our semaglutide treatment programmes here.
As with most medications, there are some side effects of Ozempic that it's important to be aware of before signing up to a plan or starting to take the medication.
The most commonly reported side effects include:
If your side effects are unmanageable, it's important to alert your prescriber and potentially stop treatment. Whilst Ozempic is generally regarded as being very safe, everyone reacts differently.
The side effects of Ozempic tend to be greater alongside dosage increases (i.e. when you take your first dose of a new concentration) and subside within a few days. If you are experiencing unexpected or unmanageable side effects, please contact your GP so that they can determine the best plan of action.
Ozempic can be used for weight loss by anyone with a BMI of 30 or over, or 27 or over with certain weight-related conditions such as PCOS or high blood pressure (apart from those listed below). The first step to getting started with Habitual is our medical consultation, which will check that you're eligible for treatment. After that, a UK-based prescriber will double check everything to make sure you're safe before writing your prescription.
Ozempic is not suitable for:
To check your eligibility, please go ahead and complete our online consultation here.
Ozempic is injectable semaglutide that is intended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, however it has become relatively common practice to prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss, since the weight loss version of Ozempic (called Wegovy) is not yet available in the UK. NICE has issued draft guidance for the licensing of Wegovy, however at present Wegovy is not available in the UK, so many patients without type 2 diabetes have been taking Ozempic for weight loss.
It's important to understand is that “off-label” prescribing is a relatively common and accepted practice amongst prescribers. Off label simply means that the prescriber wants their patient to use it in a different way than that stated in its licence. The licence for Ozempic states that it should be prescribed for type 2 diabetes, however as it contains the exact same compound as Wegovy, which has been studied for weight loss, it's become common for patients to take off-label Ozempic for weight loss.
Unfortunately the research does seem to suggest that many people will regain weight if they stop taking Ozempic.[2] Obesity is increasingly accepted to be a chronic disease, and one that therefore requires long-term management. Part of this long-term plan could include medication, but the importance of a healthy, balanced diet and exercise cannot be stressed enough. It's important to note that it's not a foregone conclusion that everyone will put weight on if they come off Ozempic, but rather that it's critical to make lasting lifestyle change in order to maintain weight loss.
