Ozempic® (semaglutide)
for weight loss

Ozempic® (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 RA—a class of medicines more formally known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. It is one of the medications prescribed by Calibrate clinicians (when clinically appropriate) for the treatment of obesity, working in conjunction with the Calibrate Metabolic Reset. 

Ozempic® is prescribed by Calibrate clinicians

Ozempic® is one of the medications prescribed by Calibrate clinicians, if clinically appropriate, to work in conjunction with the Calibrate Metabolic Reset. Our program combines 1:1 video coaching, medication, and lifestyle changes for 10%+ weight loss or your money back (see terms).

Successful and sustained weight loss with Ozempic® requires more than just the injection of the drug itself—it also involves intensive lifestyle interventions, many of which are difficult to manage alone. 

With Calibrate, members benefit from comprehensive, one-on-one support that spans four key areas: Food intake, exercise, sleep, and emotional health.

Ozempic® is manufactured by Novo Nordisk, a Denmark-based pharmaceutical company that also manufactures Wegovy®. It has been FDA-approved since 2017.

Both Ozempic® and Wegovy® contain the same active ingredient. Wegovy® provides a dose that titrates up to 2.4 mg of semaglutide, whereas Ozempic® dosing is available in a maximum of 2.0 mg of semaglutide. Learn more about the newer 2.0 mg dose here. 

While Ozempic® is currently FDA-approved for use in patients with type-2 diabetes, clinical studies show that its active ingredient, semaglutide, is safe and effective in treating overweight or obesity. Just as it does in adults with type-2 diabetes, Ozempic® can improve blood sugar levels in adults with insulin resistance or prediabetes—and is an effective tool for weight loss among both groups.

Ozempic® (semaglutide) works by mimicking the incretin hormones that your body naturally produces when you eat food.

Incretin hormones signal to the brain, endocrine, and gastrointestinal systems that food has been consumed. This results in a complex cascade of hormones and neurotransmitters which effectively communicate feelings of satiety, or feeling full.

These hormones also play a key role in the management of blood sugar levels and can improve blood sugar levels in people living with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes. 

To get a little more granular, the GLP-1 hormone, in a healthy person, sends signals to the brain, muscles, stomach, liver, and pancreas whenever nutrients are taken in (i.e. when eating): 

How GLP-1 medications work in the body

Here’s how it works in each of those different organ systems:

• In the brain, GLP-1 receptors in the  hypothalamus—the part of the brain responsible for appetite and thirst—tell us we can stop eating

• In the muscles, GLP-1 kickstarts your gluconeogenesis process: The conversion of protein and fats into the glucose (sugar) that fuels your muscles

• In the stomach, GLP-1 slows down the rate at which food is digested and is cleared from the stomach; this helps to prolong the sensation of fullness after a meal and creates fullness even with smaller portions

• In the liver, GLP-1 suppresses hepatic glucose output (gluconeogenesis), which helps to lower blood sugars in people with impaired blood sugar metabolism

• In the pancreas, GLP-1 both triggers the production of insulin and suppresses the secretion of glucagon resulting in improved blood sugar control and utilization of sugar for energy and storage in the body; this is particularly important in people who have impaired glucose tolerance, pre-diabetes, or diabetes

How does Ozempic® work for weight loss?

As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, Ozempic® (semaglutide) works by imitating your body’s natural GLP-1 effects.

In people with type-2 diabetes or those living with overweight or obesity, natural GLP-1 production may be lower than normal. By injecting Ozempic®, blood sugar levels are more easily controlled. 

This supports weight loss in a variety of ways, one of the most significant being that Ozempic® increases the feeling of fullness (or satiety) after meals. In other words, Ozempic® is a medication that makes it easier to lose weight and stick to healthy habits. However, it is not a “magic shot” that works in a vacuum.

All GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic®,  must be used in combination with other tactics to support metabolic health and avoid weight regain. The Calibrate program has integrated evidence-based lifestyle recommendations as the Four Pillars of Metabolic Health to help participants maximize their success with Ozempic®.

These pillars are food, sleep, exercise, and emotional health.

By learning to eat more mindfully, participating in exercise that you actually enjoy, managing stressors, and improving sleep quality, both your mind and body are set up for real results. With this foundation in place, Ozempic® can work even more effectively.

Ozempic® (semaglutide) is a medication that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, clinical trials have shown that it can also be effective for weight loss in people with or without diabetes.

Like all medications, Ozempic® can cause side effects, and it is important to talk to your clinician about whether it is a safe and appropriate option for you based on your individual health status, medical history, and any medications you are taking.

Learn more about Ozempic® side effects and contraindications below.

To get Ozempic® prescribed for weight loss, the first step is consulting a licensed healthcare provider with expertise in obesity treatment—such as a Calibrate clinician. 

During your consultation, they will evaluate your medical history, current health, and weight loss goals to determine if Ozempic® is appropriate for you. Although Ozempic® is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, it may be prescribed off-label for weight loss in individuals with a BMI over 30 or a BMI over 27 with certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, prediabetes, or high cholesterol.

Clinical trials of Ozempic® have shown that it is most effective when used in conjunction with a healthy, balanced diet and exercise. Of course, these requirements are easier in theory than they are in reality. If you’ve been eating the same foods and adhering to the same routine for years, switching things up can feel overwhelming. 

Without professional support and guidance, many efforts to lose weight will fail. Maybe you’ve heard the (demoralizing) statistic that, on average, 95% of lost weight is regained after five years.

Most dieters go it alone—and struggle to keep the weight off. With Calibrate, you can fall back on a support system comprised of medical professionals, an accountability coach, and a community of fellow members to keep you engaged and motivated as you work towards better metabolic health. 

Calibrate believes that the most sustainable path to weight loss is via comprehensive, 1:1 coaching that accounts for details far beyond your BMI.

Calibrate’s Metabolic Reset uses proven methods for long-term, sustainable results:

• The latest science

• FDA-approved medication

• Clinician visits and medical team support

• Accountability coaching on food, exercise, sleep, and emotional health

Our program was designed by world-renowned obesity experts and is vetted and approved by a Clinical Advisory Board. Learn more about how it works. 

Most people taking Ozempic® (semaglutide) experience few side effects. However, some side effects are normal and do not pose a serious risk to your health. The most common side effects of Ozempic® include:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Stomach (abdomen) pain 

• Headache

• Tiredness (fatigue)

• Upset stomach

• Dizziness

• Bloated, belching, or gas

• Heartburn

• Loss of appetite

Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effects that become bothersome or that don’t go away. The medical team can offer recommendations and supportive care for any issues that arise. 

There are no specific foods that you need to avoid when taking semaglutide, but some find it helpful to avoid fried or fatty foods in order to minimize side effects. 

If you experience any severe side effects, such as anaphylaxis or shortness of breath, please seek immediate medical care. 

Important safety information about Ozempic® (semaglutide) 

Ozempic® is FDA-approved. As with all prescription medications, there are warnings and contraindications to keep in mind prior to starting treatment. Your Calibrate clinician will discuss these with you and can answer any specific questions you might have about the risks of Ozempic® as it pertains to your own health and medical history. 

Ozempic® is not recommended as the first treatment for diabetes, for individuals with a history of pancreatitis, or as a substitute for insulin. It should not be used by those with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or by anyone allergic to semaglutide. Animal studies have linked semaglutide to thyroid tumors, though this has not been observed in humans.

If you experience severe abdominal pain, which may indicate pancreatitis, or signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling or rash, stop taking Ozempic® and seek immediate medical attention. Individuals with diabetic retinopathy should monitor their vision closely, as complications may worsen, and kidney health should be observed, particularly in cases of dehydration or severe gastrointestinal symptoms. 

There is also an increased risk of low blood sugar when Ozempic® is combined with insulin or sulfonylureas, so adjustments to other medications may be necessary. Finally, never share Ozempic® pens, even if the needle has been changed, to avoid infection risks.