Who Qualifies for Ozempic for Medical Weight Loss?

Ozempic was a medication that was approved by the FDA for the treatment of those with diabetes, and it was noted during studies and after approval that patients who were using Ozempic lost weight, which led to more studies on the use of Ozempic for weight loss and later an approval by the FDA in certain circumstances for those to use who are not diabetic. Candidates for Ozempic will only qualify if they meet certain criteria. This may seem frustrating to those who do not meet these requirements, however, the reason behind this is based on risk factors being higher for those who do not meet the criteria. 

Patients looking to use Ozempic must have a BMI of 30 or higher to qualify for the use if they do not have diabetes, but patients with a BMI between 27 to 30 can also be eligible if they have another condition (comorbidities) such as hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea or hormonal conditions that can impede the ability to lose weight, such as women who have PCOS. This is why having a consultation before receiving a prescription is also very important, as this gives your prescribing medical professional the ability to go over all your current health conditions, review your weight, review your height, and determine your eligibility. 

If you have been trying to lose weight without Ozempic before this appointment, you should also go over this with the prescribing doctor, as it may seem small to you, but being aware of any difficulties with weight loss can help determine your eligibility. 

In certain situations, some patients may experience rapid weight loss, but it is important to follow up with your doctor regarding this to make sure you are only losing a healthy amount of weight quickly, and that you are eating an appropriate amount of calories as undereating while on Ozempic can lead to unhealthy weight loss and potential muscle mass loss which is not healthy long-term in patients. 

This can also be based on your current metabolism, as those who have a higher metabolism than others may also experience rapid weight loss. 

The time it takes to lose weight while on Ozempic is going to be based on many contributing factors, like your starting weight, your metabolism, your adherence to the recommended diet and exercise regimen, and your unique biology. Most patients will notice a change in their body composition within a month of starting Ozempic, while for other patients it may take up to 8 weeks to see a difference. However, with most weight loss, friends and family may also notice a difference before you can notice a difference yourself. Most patients will notice that through the duration of their Ozempic prescription that through the use of Ozempic they have lost between 10% to 15% of their overall body weight. 

As long as you meet certain criteria, and your medical professional has determined any risks are outweighed by the potential benefits of taking Ozempic, then yes you can take it for weight loss as a non-diabetic. Some professionals may recommend other weight loss injections for you if they do not feel like Ozempic will be the best medication for you, and it is important to keep in mind if they do so, it is because the recommended injection will most likely have better benefits for you. 

If you are looking to begin a weight loss journey assisted by the use of Ozempic, our team at En Vogue IV Therapy & Wellness is here to help you determine if you meet the criteria for the use of Ozempic and be your support system during your Ozempic prescription. For more information, contact us today or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 44 2nd St Pike Suite 303 Southampton, PA 18966. We serve patients from Southampton PA, Langhorne PA, Willow Grove PA, Horsham PA, Warrington PA, Warminster PA and surrounding areas.