How to get semaglutide for weight loss

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in a few medications used for diabetes and obesity management. 

Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. It mimics the natural GLP-1 hormone in your body, which in turn leads to increased insulin release, reduced glucagon release, slowed stomach emptying, and reduced appetite.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three semaglutide medications: 

• Wegovy: Approved for weight management – in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity – in adults who meet certain criteria. You administer it as an injection once per week.
• Ozempic: Approved for blood sugar management in adults with type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and exercise. Also approved to reduce the risk of heart disease events, like heart attack or stroke, in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Used off label for weight loss. You administer it as an injection once per week.
• Rybelsus: Approved to manage blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise. Used off label for weight loss. You take a tablet by mouth. 

The only semaglutide product approved for weight loss is Wegovy. Still, some healthcare professionals may prescribe Ozempic or Rybelsus for this purpose in what’s called an off-label use. This means the drug is effective for that use even if FDA approval has not been provided yet for that use.

Do you need a prescription for semaglutide for weight loss?

Yes, you need a licensed healthcare professional to write a prescription to get semaglutide either for weight loss or type 2 diabetes management.

Semaglutide is a prescription-only medication. You may not get it over the counter or without the guidance of a healthcare professional. 

How do you get a prescription for semaglutide for weight loss?

To obtain a prescription for semaglutide for weight management, you must consult a licensed healthcare professional. This may include primary healthcare professionals, endocrinologists, weight loss clinic medical professionals, or other specialized healthcare professionals.

They can evaluate your eligibility for semaglutide and if it is safe and right for your needs.

Below are some possible inclusion and exclusion criteria that your healthcare professional may take into account when deciding to prescribe any of the semaglutide brand names.

Wegovy

To obtain Wegovy, you should meet these conditions:

• Who can use Wegovy: 
  • adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher (overweight) who have at least one weight-related condition like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes
  • adults with a BMI of 30 or higher (obesity)
  • children age 12 years and older with a BMI at the 95th percentile or more for their age and sex
• Wegovy is not recommended if you:
  • have a history of pancreatitis
  • have a history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
  • have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
  • have an allergy to semaglutide
  • are pregnant, nursing, or planning to get pregnant

Ozempic

These are the criteria for getting a prescription for Ozempic:

• Who can use Ozempic:
  • adults with type 2 diabetes without heart disease
  • adults with type 2 diabetes with a risk of heart disease
  • adults with obesity, with or without type 2 diabetes
• Ozempic is not recommended if:
  • any of the same situations noted for Wegovy also apply
  • under 18 years old

Rybelsus

Here are the criteria for getting Rybelsus:

• Who can use Rybelsus:
  • adults with type 2 diabetes
  • adults with obesity, with or without type 2 diabetes
• Rybelsus is not recommended if:
  • any of the same situations noted for Wegovy also apply

If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.

Where do you get semaglutide?

After receiving a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional, you can fill it at an in-person or online licensed pharmacy. Most of them will have a supply of semaglutide brands, and if they don’t, you’re likely to find it at a nearby pharmacy.

If shopping online, ensure that the website is safe and legitimate. All legitimate online pharmacies will require a prescription for semaglutide for weight loss. Not requesting one may be a sign of unsafe practices that may put your health in jeopardy. 

What is compounded semaglutide?

The FDA explains that compounding refers to mixing or altering drugs to create tailored medications. 

Some licensed settings like pharmacies or federal facilities may create compounded semaglutide due to factors like drug shortages. 

However, compounded semaglutide is not FDA approved, so safety and effectiveness are not guaranteed. In fact, the FDA has received reports of adverse reactions from compounded semaglutide, and discovered compounded semaglutide made with the incorrect ingredients. 

Whether compounded or regular, semaglutide requires a prescription. It is important that you only use it under the guidance of a qualified licensed healthcare professional.

Will insurance cover semaglutide for weight loss?

Insurance coverage for Wegovy, Rybelsus, or Ozempic may depend on factors like your insurance plan, state of residence, and whether you need to use the medication for FDA-approved or off-label (nonapproved) uses. 

Some insurance plans may not cover medications for off-label use. For example, weight loss is an off-label use for Ozempic, so many insurance plans will not cover its cost for this purpose.

To learn if your plan covers semaglutide, contact your insurance provider directly or review your explanation of benefits, a document that explains what your plan covers and does not cover. 

If you do not have insurance, or you do but it does not cover semaglutide brands, you can explore how to save on your prescription by using drug coupons and prescription discount cards.

Here are the Optum Perks coupons for Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus.  

Alternatives to semaglutide for weight loss

While semaglutide has shown promising results in weight loss, it may not be suitable for everyone. 

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) lists these alternative FDA-approved weight loss prescription medications: 

• setmelanotide (Imcivree)
• orlistat (Xenical)
• liraglutide (Saxenda)
• naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave)
• phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)

Tirzepatide (Zepbound), a new drug for chronic obesity, was recently approved by the FDA and may go on the market in 2024. Consider asking your healthcare professional about its benefits and availability.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Summary

To get semaglutide for weight loss, you need a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. To obtain a prescription, you must meet specific medical criteria. 

If you’re considering losing weight, it’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional to help determine the most suitable weight loss plan.