How Long Does It Take to Lose Weight on Ozempic®?

Ozempic® (semaglutide): It’s one of several GLP-1 medications that are best known for their ability to help patients with type 2 diabetes control blood sugar—but the drug is also effective in helping those with obesity or overweight improve their metabolic health and lose weight. 

Like any medication, Ozempic® (the brand name for semaglutide) produces slightly different results from one person to the next. No two people have the same exact biology. That, along with the fact that all patients taking Ozempic® will have a different starting point and a completely unique genetic and health history profile, means that it’s virtually impossible to predict how long it will take you to lose weight on the medication. 

Clinical trials of semaglutide, however, provide some high-level information and context on the timeline on which prescribing healthcare professionals can expect to see results in their patients. Read on to learn more about how Ozempic® works, how it’s dosed, and whether or not it might be a good fit for your needs. 

What is Ozempic®?

Ozempic® (semaglutide) is one of the medications prescribed by Calibrate clinicians to work in conjunction with the Calibrate Metabolic Reset. It is manufactured by Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical company based in Denmark that also manufactures Wegovy®. It has been FDA-approved since 2017.  

Both Ozempic® and Wegovy® contain the same active ingredient. The only difference between the two is that Wegovy® provides a dose that titrates up to 2.4 mg semaglutide, whereas Ozempic® is available in a maximum 2.0 mg dose. 

Ozempic® and Wegovy® are both GLP-1 medications; others in this class of medication include Saxenda (liraglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), and Mounjaro (tirzepatide).

How long to lose weight with Ozempic®: Results of clinical trials

How much weight you can lose with Ozempic depends on what dosage you are taking, and for how long—along with myriad other factors. How well you tolerate the side effects of the drug, for instance, can influence how quickly you titrate up your dose (see below for a list of common side effects).

Some people may see results with lower doses of semaglutide, while others may need a higher dose to reach their goals. And, of course, the amount of change you’re able to make in other areas of your life such as food, sleep, and exercise will play a role, as well. 

In the STEP-1 clinical trial of Ozempic®, patients taking semaglutide lost 15.3 kg compared to the placebo group, which saw a weight loss of only 2.6 kg. The study was completed after 68 weeks of treatment (roughly 17 months) and the dose used was semaglutide 2.4mg weekly.

The STEP-2 study found that semaglutide helped participants lose about 10% of their body weight after 68 weeks. The STEP-2 study was done in people with type 2 diabetes and the dose used was semaglutide 2.4mg weekly.

It’s important to note that the outcome of these clinical trials was influenced by the fact that study participants were supported by the research team with lifestyle changes including dietary modifications and exercise recommendations. Simply taking the medication without simultaneously working to improve your day-to-day routine will not produce the same results.

Below, we’ll explain why the Calibrate Metabolic Reset is uniquely positioned to set up its members for success on GLP-1 medication by providing 1:1 accountability coaching and a science-backed curriculum to empower you to make lasting changes.

With Calibrate, members can expect to start seeing results after a couple of weeks of tapering up on the medication. You’ll likely notice some changes in appetite and reductions in food cravings within the first week.

Ozempic® Side Effects

Most people taking Ozempic® 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
• Abdominal pain 
• Headache
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Bloated, belching, or gas
• Heartburn
• Loss of appetite

Talk to your Calibrate clinician about any side effects that become bothersome or that don’t go away. Your Calibrate Medical Team can offer recommendations and supportive care for any issues that arise.

Use Ozempic® only as directed by your healthcare provider. If you experience any severe side effects, such as anaphylaxis or shortness of breath, seek immediate medical care. 

How does Ozempic® work? 

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

Incretin hormones are gut hormone signals released by the small intestine that travel throughout the body, signaling the brain, endocrine system, and gastrointestinal system that food has been consumed and is ready to be metabolized by the body for fuel.

This results in a complex cascade of hormones and neurotransmitters that work together to communicate feelings of satiety (or feeling full). Increased satiety can, in turn, help reduce cravings and make healthy eating a little easier.

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is one such incretin hormone, but it does more than just influence satiety: It also plays an important role in the management of blood sugar levels and can lower blood sugar and reduce A1C in people living with impaired glucose tolerance, prediabetes, or diabetes. 

As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, Ozempic® works by imitating the effects of the GLP-1 hormone produced naturally in your body. In those with type-2 diabetes or those living with overweight or obesity, natural GLP-1 production may be lower or less effective than normal. By injecting Ozempic® once weekly under the care of a physician, blood glucose levels are more easily controlled. 

Like other GLP-1s—such as Mounjaro, Saxenda®, Wegovy®, Trulicity®, and Rybelsus®—Ozempic® is a medication that makes it easier to lose weight and stick to healthy habits. However, it’s not a “weight loss drug” on its own: It must be used in combination with other tactics to support metabolic health and avoid weight regain. These tactics may include modifications to what you eat, how and when you exercise, and other healthy lifestyle changes. 

Calibrate’s Metabolic Reset combines GLP-1 medication with evidence-based lifestyle recommendations—the Four Pillars of Metabolic Health—to help participants maximize their success with Ozempic®. These pillars include:

• Food
• Sleep
• Exercise
• Emotional health

By learning to eat more whole foods and fewer fast-digesting carbohydrates, improving sleep quality, participating in exercise that you actually enjoy, and managing stressors, you’re setting up both your mind and body for real results. With this foundation in place, Ozempic® can work even more effectively to reduce high blood sugar and help you lose weight. 

Ready to get started with Calibrate? Find out if you’re eligible today.

Footnotes

•  https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183 
•  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33667417/