Key takeaways
- Ozempic alternatives offer a variety of options for those who want to switch due to side effects, availability, or cost. For type 2 diabetes treatment, Rybelsus contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic (semaglutide) but is taken orally rather than as an injection.
- Wegovy contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic (semaglutide) but is specifically FDA approved for weight management.
- Calibrate, Sesame Care, PlushCare, and Ro are some telehealth platforms that may offer Ozempic alternatives.
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat type 2 diabetes. Because Ozempic has been shown to boost weight loss in people with diabetes, it’s quickly become a popular drug among those looking to lose weight.
Though Ozempic can be effective for improving blood sugar management and encouraging weight loss, other medications may be better depending on your health goals, medical history, and budget.
This article lists Ozempic alternatives, including options for people with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Keep in mind that although some of the alternatives may not have an indication for weight loss, people taking these medications may experience weight loss with an improvement in managing their diabetes.
Additionally, note that the details in this article are for information purposes only. When considering medications to treat type 2 diabetes and weight loss, consult a healthcare professional.
Most people with type 2 diabetes take medications to manage their blood sugar and reduce their risk of diabetes-related complications, such as heart disease.
If you can’t or don’t want to take Ozempic, your healthcare professional may recommend a different medication.
Rybelsus
Rybelsus is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medication that contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as Ozempic. It works in the same way as Ozempic to reduce blood sugar levels.
Rybelsus is an oral medication, so it may be a better choice for people who don’t tolerate injectable medications. Rybelsus is taken by mouth once per day.
Trulicity
Trulicity is another type of GLP-1 medication that is effective in reducing blood sugar levels and heart disease risk in people with diabetes. Like Ozempic, it’s an injectable medication administered once per week.
However, a key difference between Trulicity and Ozempic is that Trulicity is approved for use in treating type 2 diabetes in children ages 10 years and older, while Ozempic isn’t approved for use in children.
Victoza
Victoza is another injectable GLP-1 medication that is similar to Ozempic. It’s approved to lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. However, unlike Ozempic, Victoza is injected once per day rather than once per week.
The FDA recently approved a generic version containing the same active ingredient, liraglutide, to treat type 2 diabetes in adults and children ages 10 years and older. It’s also approved to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Mounjaro
Mounjaro is another injectable medication approved for use in treating adults with type 2 diabetes.
Its active ingredient is tirzepatide, which is both a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist and a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It lowers blood sugar by stimulating the release of insulin and slowing digestion. This helps reduce the amount of blood glucose in the bloodstream after eating.
Mounjaro is similar to Ozempic, but it targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Although they’re both effective for blood sugar management,
Like Ozempic, Mounjaro is not approved for use in people under 18 years old.
Metformin
Metformin is one of the most common medications used to treat diabetes. It’s a different type of medication than Ozempic and lowers blood sugar through different mechanisms.
Metformin is classified as a biguanide. It lowers blood sugar by improving insulin sensitivity, decreasing the amount of blood sugar the liver produces, and reducing the amount of sugar the digestive system absorbs.
Another difference is that metformin is an oral medication, so it’s a good choice for people who don’t tolerate injections. Metformin can also be taken alongside other diabetes medications, such as Ozempic.
Unlike Ozempic, metformin is approved for use in children ages 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes. It’s also considered safe for people with thyroid cancer or a family history of thyroid cancer.
However, metformin is not appropriate for people with certain other medical conditions, such as kidney disease, congestive heart failure, metabolic acidosis, and liver issues.
Additionally, although metformin has been commonly used off-label for gestational diabetes, pregnant people should consult an OB-GYN to determine whether it’s suitable for them.
If you’ve had difficulty losing weight through diet and exercise alone, your doctor may prescribe a weight loss medication. Ozempic is not FDA approved for weight loss. But other medications, like Wegovy, are.
Keep in mind that health insurance doesn’t usually cover most of these weight loss medications, meaning you may have to pay out of pocket.
Wegovy
Wegovy is an injectable medication that contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as Ozempic, but in a slightly higher dose. However, unlike Ozempic, Wegovy is FDA approved for weight management in adults with overweight and obesity and children ages 12 years and older with obesity.
More recently, Wegovy was
Like Ozempic, Wegovy is an injectable medication administered once per week.
While researchers are still studying the effects of Wegovy in the body, it’s thought that Wegovy targets areas in the brain responsible for reducing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness. Wegovy helps people eat less, which encourages weight loss.
Wegovy is a prescription-only medication, meaning you must obtain a prescription from a healthcare professional to start using it.
Saxenda
Saxenda is another GLP-1 medication approved by the FDA for weight management in adults with obesity and adults with overweight and weight-related medical concerns. It’s also approved for use in children ages 12 years and older with obesity.
Saxenda contains liraglutide, which is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Liraglutide helps promote weight loss by decreasing appetite and slowing the emptying of the stomach, which promotes feelings of fullness and decreases calorie intake.
Saxenda is an injectable medication that’s administered once per day. This is the major difference between Saxenda and Wegovy, as Wegovy is an injectable taken once per week.
Like Wegovy, Saxenda is meant to be used alongside a nutritious, calorie-reduced diet and increased physical activity.
Zepbound
Zepbound is a once-weekly injected medication that contains the same active ingredient as Mounjaro, tirzepatide. However, unlike Mounjaro and Ozempic, Zepbound is FDA approved for weight loss in adults when combined with diet and lifestyle changes.
While research is ongoing, a landmark 2022 study including more than 2,500 adults with obesity or overweight and one weight-related medical condition found that participants lost an average of 20.9% of their body weight over the course of 72 weeks, or about 16.5 months.
While research is ongoing, a landmark 2022 study including more than 2,500 adults with obesity or overweight and one weight-related medical condition found that participants lost an average of 20.9% of their body weight over the course of 72 weeks, or about 16.5 months.
A note on Ozempic alternatives
Keep in mind that, just like Ozempic, the medications listed in this article may cause unwanted side effects and are not appropriate for everyone.
It’s important to meet with a licensed healthcare professional, like an endocrinologist or your primary care physician, to discuss which alternative is right for you.
Here’s a quick look at how alternative medications for Ozempic compare:
| Medication | Approved use | Dosing frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Rybelsus (semaglutide) | type 2 diabetes in adults | taken orally once daily |
| Trulicity (dulaglutide) | type 2 diabetes in adults and children ages 10 years and older | injected once weekly |
| Victoza (liraglutide) | • type 2 diabetes in adults and children ages 10 years and older • heart disease in adults | injected once daily |
| Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | type 2 diabetes in adults | injected once weekly |
| metformin | type 2 diabetes in adults and children ages 10 years and older | taken orally twice daily |
| Wegovy (semaglutide) | • weight loss in adults and children ages 12 years and older • heart disease in adults | injected once weekly |
| Saxenda (liraglutide) | weight loss in adults and children ages 12 years and older | injected once daily |
| Zepbound (tirzepatide) | weight loss in adults | injected once weekly |
Talking with your healthcare team is important if you want to switch from Ozempic to another medication. They will ask why you want to switch and suggest alternatives.
Your healthcare team will look at your needs to determine which medication is best for your circumstances and which dose to start on. It’s also important to ensure that your insurance will continue providing the same coverage level for the new medication.
Some questions you may want to ask your doctors when switching include:
- Is this medication readily available?
- How do I take the medication, and how often do I have to use it?
- What are the side effects of the new medication, and how do they compare with Ozempic’s side effects?
- Does the company that makes the medication offer any coupons or savings cards?
While Ozempic is a good choice for some people with diabetes and obesity, it’s not the right choice for everyone.
Ozempic is not safe for people with certain medical conditions. And it may be out of many people’s budgets when used off-label for weight loss.
Here are some reasons you might be looking for alternatives to Ozempic:
You have a medical condition
Ozempic isn’t safe for people with certain health conditions, including people who have had thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). People with a family history of MTC should avoid Ozempic.
Ozempic is also unsafe for people with:
- a history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- a history of diabetic retinopathy
- conditions affecting the kidneys and pancreas
You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
If you plan on becoming pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, you’re not eligible for Ozempic. Ozempic should not be used for at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy because it may harm the fetus.
Your healthcare professional can recommend a different diabetes medication.
It’s too costly
Ozempic may not be covered by insurance when it’s prescribed as a weight loss medication, so some people may want a more affordable alternative.
But some insurance companies don’t cover weight loss medications of any kind. Some people may need to pay out of pocket for these medications.
You’re concerned about side effects
Ozempic is generally considered safe, but it’s associated with several side effects. According to its manufacturer, the most common known side effects of Ozempic are:
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- constipation
You don’t like needles
Ozempic is medication you inject under the skin on your stomach, thigh, or upper arm. Many people have a fear of needles and prefer oral medications over injectables.
There’s a shortage
Due to its increased popularity and occasional supply chain issues, Ozempic may be hard to obtain.
The FDA has a database with the latest information on drug shortages.
While weight loss medications can be effective for enhancing weight loss, weight loss medications aren’t a quick fix. They shouldn’t be the first choice when it comes to a weight loss plan.
Additionally, many people regain the weight lost after stopping these medications, according to a 2022 study. For these reasons, you may need to take these medications long term to maintain results.
There are many other ways to lose weight and maintain weight loss that are more affordable and have fewer side effects than weight loss medications, such as nutritional counseling from a registered dietitian.
Still, while following a nutritious, reduced calorie diet and getting plenty of physical activity may be enough for some people to reach and maintain a healthy body weight, weight loss surgery may also be necessary for some.
Because obesity is a health condition with many contributing factors, it’s best to work with a healthcare professional for a tailored approach to weight loss.
Alternatives to avoid
Recently, Ozempic has become popular for weight loss use, and as a result, the United States has been experiencing a shortage. Because of this, some companies and pharmacies are offering uncertified, compounded drugs marketed as semaglutide.
These drugs
Speak with your medical care team if you have concerns or questions about your medication.
A 2024 study suggests you may get better weight loss results with tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound and Mounjaro, than with semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy.
Researchers found that the participants who took tirzepatide lost at least 15% more body weight after 12 months than those who took semaglutide.
The best Ozempic alternative depends in part on what the medication is being used to treat.
There are some drugs that contain the same active ingredient, such as Rybelsus and Wegovy.
If you have diabetes, your doctor may recommend an alternative medication, such as Trulicity.
If you’re being prescribed a medication for weight loss, Zepbound and Saxenda are FDA approved for weight management. Some doctors may use these to promote weight loss in adults and children with obesity.
At the time of publication, the list price for one pen of Ozempic is $997.58, which is cheaper than Saxenda and Wegovy, both of which cost $1,349.02 for a month’s worth of medication.
Keep in mind that if you’re using these medications for weight loss, you may be able to get Saxenda and Wegovy at a much lower price by working with a weight loss clinic or services like Calibrate.
Yes, although they contain the same active ingredient, Wegovy is FDA approved for weight loss, while Ozempic is only approved for treating type 2 diabetes.
Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide, but Wegovy provides a higher dose.
Trulicity works similarly to Ozempic and also helps reduce blood sugar levels and heart disease risk in people with diabetes.
However, a key difference between Trulicity and Ozempic is that Trulicity is approved for use in treating type 2 diabetes in children over 10 years old, while Ozempic isn’t approved for use in children.
Both medications are effective for treating diabetes.
Ozempic is a medication that’s become popular because of its effectiveness in managing blood sugar levels and supporting weight loss. However, there are several other FDA-approved medications that offer similar benefits.
Whether you’re interested in a more affordable alternative to Ozempic or prefer a noninjectable option, it’s important to talk with a trusted healthcare professional to see which medication is right for you.