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Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) medication that can help people manage type 2 diabetes and lose weight. Other similar medications, such as Mounjaro and Saxenda, are available online from telehealth companies.
- For Wegovy: Ro Body | Skip to review
- For Saxenda: K Health | Skip to review
- For Rybelsus: PlushCare | Skip to review
- For Mounjaro: Sesame Care |Skip to review
- For Trulicity: K Health | Skip to review
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a once-weekly semaglutide injection that helps manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It is a
Ozempic also
Semaglutide, the main ingredient in Ozempic, helps people with type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar levels. It can also help them lose weight when used alongside a balanced diet and lifestyle changes. A recent study found that people with obesity lost 14.9% of their body weight within 68 weeks of using this drug.
Currently, there is a shortage of Ozempic, which means people may find it difficult to purchase this medication. However, there are alternative options for both type 2 diabetes and weight management.
Alternative drugs to Ozempic for type 2 diabetes include:
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide): This injectable medication activates glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and GLP-1 pathways to help regulate blood sugar. Similar to Ozempic, it also slows down food digestion.
- Trulicity (dulaglutide): This is an injectable medication for adults and children over 10 years old. It improves blood sugar and helps reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events. It also slows down food digestion.
- Rybelsus (semaglutide): This medication contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic and works the same way. However, it comes in tablet form.
Alternatives to Ozempic for weight loss that have FDA approval for this condition include:
- Wegovy (semaglutide): This drug has the same active ingredient as Ozempic and works in the same way. It is an injectable medication with FDA approval for weight management.
- Saxenda (liraglutide): This injectable medication is suitable for adults and children ages 12 to 17 with overweight or obesity and who also have a weight-related condition.
There are several FDA-approved GLP-1 medications for weight loss that healthcare professionals may prescribe instead of Ozempic.
Wegovy (semaglutide)
Wegovy (semaglutide) has the same active ingredient as Ozempic and works the same way. It received FDA approval for weight loss in
This medication is appropriate for adults and children ages 12 years or older with obesity or overweight. People must inject Wegovy into the stomach, thigh, or upper arm once per week on the same day each week, with or without food.
Dosages start from 0.25 milligrams (mg) once weekly, though healthcare professionals can increase it up to 2.4 mg once weekly.
The FDA reports that there is currently a shortage of Wegovy.
Saxenda (liraglutide)
Saxenda (liraglutide) is another injectable GLP-1 medication that received FDA approval for use in weight management in
This medication works in the same way as Ozempic. People can use this medication with or without food. Doses range from 0.6 to 3.0 mg, and a healthcare professional will monitor the individual to ensure their dose is appropriate.
Unlike Ozempic and Wegovy, Saxenda is a daily injection.
At the time of publication, the FDA does not report a shortage of Saxenda.
There are three main GLP-1 alternatives for type 2 diabetes to Ozempic. Healthcare professionals may prescribe these medications if the drug does not manage a person’s blood sugar well or if they are experiencing adverse side effects.
Rybelsus (semaglutide)
Rybelsus (semaglutide) contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic and works in the same way. However, this medication is in tablet form, which may be easier for people who find it difficult to use injectable drugs.
To achieve more blood sugar-lowering effects, healthcare professionals may prescribe Rybelsus in addition to any oral anti-glycemic medication, except for
The starting dosage of Rybelsus is 3 mg once daily for the first 30 days. People need to take the medication with no more than 4 ounces of water and at least 30 minutes before any foods or other beverages.
Healthcare professionals can increase the dosage up to 14 mg once daily.
The FDA does not currently report any shortages of this drug.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is an injectable form of medication to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Just like Ozempic, Mounjaro imitates incretins, which tell the pancreas to release more insulin after a meal. This medication also slows food movement in the digestive system, which may make a person feel fuller for longer.
People need to inject Mounjaro into the stomach, thigh, or upper arm once per week at any time. This drug is suitable to use with or without meals. Healthcare professionals will start people on a dose of 2.5 mg for 4 weeks, after which they may increase up to 5 mg. People should not exceed a 15-mg weekly dose.
At the time of publication, there is not currently a shortage of Mounjaro in the United States.
Discover how to get Mounjaro.
Trulicity (dulaglutide)
Trulicity (dulaglutide) stimulates the body’s natural insulin production and stops it from releasing glucagon. Healthcare professionals will prescribe this medication to people who cannot take metformin.
Trulicity is an injectable medication that individuals can take with or without food. The dosage starts at 0.75 mg once weekly, which healthcare professionals can increase up to 4.5 mg once weekly if necessary.
At the time of publication, the FDA is reporting a shortage of Trulicity in the United States.
Below is a chart that compares Ozempic with the other drugs in this article.
| Eligibility criteria | Form | Dose frequency | Out-of-pocket cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozempic | have type 2 diabetes | injection | once per week | around $892.06 |
| Rybelsus | have type 2 diabetes | tablet | once daily | around $900 |
| Mounjaro | have type 2 diabetes | injection | once per week | around $999 |
| Trulicity | have type 2 diabetes | injection | once per week | around $886.56 |
| Wegovy | a person must be overweight, with one weight-related medical condition or obesity | injection | once per week | around $1,300 |
| Saxenda | a person must be overweight, with one weight-related medical condition or obesity | injection | once daily | around $1,349 |
Not everyone is eligible for Ozempic, which can also be difficult to obtain. Supplements are available that claim to be over-the-counter (OTC) alternatives to Ozempic, but there is minimal scientific evidence to prove they work effectively.
The FDA has also found that some OTC supplements
Some undisclosed ingredients that may appear in OTC weight loss supplements, such as sibutramine and fenproporex, have severe and potentially fatal side effects. Therefore, companies are not allowed to sell products containing these drugs.
People always need to consult a doctor or healthcare professional before taking any OTC weight loss aids. They also need to watch for warning signs that a product is making fraudulent health claims. Some signs include:
- promises of a fast and easy fix
- claims such as “scientific breakthroughs” or “ancient remedy”
- phrases such as “thermogenesis” and “hunger stimulation point”
- claims that a product is “natural”
- unsubstantiated testimonials of fast and easy results by customers and doctors
- no-risk, money-back guarantees
There are several substances that scientists are investigating that may have similar effects to Ozempic.
For example, berberine, a component of the traditional Chinese herb Rhizoma coptidis, may help reduce body fat. However, these substances require more rigorous study.
It is important not to take so-called natural alternatives to Ozempic without the advice of a healthcare professional.
There are several GLP-1 medications available. People can talk with a healthcare professional to find the type that best suits their needs.
Ozempic alternatives for type 2 diabetes management include Mounjaro and Rybelsus. For weight loss, people can consider Wegovy and Saxenda.
Trulicity can cause weight loss, but the FDA has not approved it for this use.
No, Trulicity (dulaglutide) is not the same drug as Ozempic (semaglutide).
They are both GLP-1 medications that work similarly and have FDA approval to treat high blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
However, a 2018 study found that low doses of semaglutide may be more effective than low doses of dulaglutide in improving blood sugar levels.
Rybelsus can cause weight loss, but it is not a weight loss drug. It is FDA approved for managing type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 medication that can help improve blood sugar levels and manage weight. The FDA has approved several GLP-1 alternatives for both concerns.
While OTC alternatives exist, it is important not to take them without discussing them with a healthcare professional. These alternatives may include illegal or harmful ingredients or undisclosed prescription medications.