If you’re eligible for the medication, you can get a prescription from a doctor or online healthcare service, like Ro or PlushCare. Due to safety and counterfeit medication concerns, the FDA recommends that people only purchase semaglutide medications like Ozempic and Wegovy with a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. Felix provides a faster, hassle-free way for you to get a treatment plan for certain conditions, but our service does not replace your primary care provider. Semaglutide belongs to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist family of medications. One form of this drug, Ozempic, is authorized for sale by Health Canada to manage type 2 diabetes while its counterpart, Wegovy, is indicated for long-term weight management.

Can the active ingredient in Ozempic, Semaglutide, affect heart health?

Always verify the pharmacy’s accreditation before making a purchase. Novo Nordisk’s patent for semaglutide is set to expire in March next year. As a result, prices are expected to drop, making the medication more affordable for many people. Lastly, you should familiarize yourself with the differences between authentic, FDA-approved Ozempic pens and counterfeit ones by reviewing information published by Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer. The company has an extensive guide to spotting counterfeit pens, including what the pen and packaging should look like and what should be included in the packaging.

Noom Med Offers GLP-1s, Alongside Personalized Care

If that’s the case, your clinician can provide an alternate treatment as a first step and revisit your insurance authorization in a few months. In many cases, prior authorizations are approved the second time around. This is not a complete list of possible drug interactions with Ozempic.

Depending on which medication your doctor prescribes, you may receive slightly different dosages. This service made our list of the best telemedicine companies. Among the reasons we like it is that PlushCare works with insurance companies and offers same-day appointments. When paired with diet and exercise, Ozempic is an effective treatment option for weight management, but to try it, you need a prescription.

• But semaglutide — the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Wegovy — is widely available, says Scott Brunner, CEO of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding.
• Mounjaro is an alternative weight loss treatment with the active ingredient, tirzepatide.
• If you experience side effects while taking Ozempic, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
• Our Medical Standards and Insights team regularly vets the brands and services in this article.

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a popular weight loss drug approved by the FDA in 2021. Ozempic (semaglutide) is an expensive medication for those without prescription insurance coverage. With the Wegovy saving card, you can pay as little as $0 per month if your commercial insurance covers Wegovy or if your out-of-pocket expenses are equal to or less than $849 per month. Otherwise, you can receive Wegovy for $499 per month if your commercial insurance doesn’t cover Wegovy or you’re uninsured.

Saxenda, on the other hand, is a weight management medication. It’s used by people who have obesity or other weight-related conditions, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or type 2 diabetes. Your doctor may prescribe Ozempic with other medications to help manage your blood sugar levels or lower your risk of cardiovascular problems. Doctors may also prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss or weight management.

Other medications

This restricted supplies both for people wanting to try Ozempic for weight loss, and those needing the medication to manage type 2 diabetes. The FDA states that, as of August 2025, there is no Ozempic shortage in the U.S. and all doses are available. If you use an online pharmacy or telehealth provider, you may also pay additional fees such as a consultation fee. When administered once per week, Ozempic enhances insulin production in response to high blood sugar levels, leading to better glucose management. It helps slow digestion, reduce the release of sugar from the liver, and create a sensation of fullness, working to curb appetite. This service will check to see if your insurance company covers the cost of medication, and will work with them to get the best coverage possible.

Novo Nordisk offers a patient assistance program that provides​​ Ozempic and Rybelsus at no cost to patients who meet eligibility criteria. You can complete their online application to see if you qualify for the program, complete the online application. If you’re underinsured or uninsured, you can lower the cost of semaglutide injections with the help of discounts, patient assistance programs, or alternative medications.

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which means it mimics the effects of GLP-1, a hormone released after you eat, to control blood glucose levels and can help you lose weight. Ozempic actually contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy (semaglutide), but it isn’t licensed as a weight loss treatment in the UK, and it can only be prescribed for treating type 2 diabetes. While the medications are very similar, they have different doses and uses. In some cases, healthcare providers may prescribe where can i buy semaglutide for weight loss these for those with heart disease.

Before using Ozempic®, tell your health care provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you:

Whatever your reason for using Ozempic, it needs to be prescribed by a healthcare provider. You can consult a telehealth provider online to get semaglutide without insurance. Compounded semaglutide also acts as a GLP-1 receptor agonist and is customized for each patient. Compounding pharmacies manufacture this medication as prescribed by healthcare providers to meet the patient’s needs.

You can take the first step toward better health and weight management by choosing one of these trusted telemedicine providers. Say goodbye to traditional barriers and hello to a hassle-free healthcare experience with Ozempic. Most online pharmacies ship Ozempic directly to your doorstep in discreet packaging. Some platforms offer free shipping, while others may charge a small fee.

The physician will review your medical history and weight goals to determine if you qualify for a GLP-1 prescription. If you do, they will issue the prescription and help with prior authorizations as needed. PlushCare doesn’t fill GLP-1 prescriptions, however, so you’ll need to pick up your prescription at your preferred local pharmacy. In our research, we found that many people liked Noom Med for weight loss. However, some people found the price of medications via their mail-order pharmacy to be cost-prohibitive. We also noted that some Noom Med users said that their interactions with a doctor were minimal, usually only quick meetings of 10 minutes or less.

It is important to note that Ozempic is not licensed for weight loss in the UK. Semaglutide is very similar to a hormone produced naturally by the body called GLP-1. Ozempic helps appetite suppression, making you feel less hungry by mimicking this hormone which helps to reduce overall calorie intake. This could lead to people eating less and ultimately losing weight, although this is not the primary aim of this treatment. However, Wegovy is an alternative branded form of Semaglutide which is licenced for weight loss. The active ingredient in Ozempic, Semaglutide, can be prescribed as a weight loss medication but this form of Semaglutide is branded as Wegovy.

The medications’ side effects are predominantly related to the gastrointestinal system — for example, nausea, constipation, diarrhea or belching. For most patients, these effects are mild and resolve over time. For some, the side effects can be severe, and patients would need to stop the medication, Jons said. In 2024, 13 states cover GLP-1 drugs for obesity treatment, according to KFF, a nonpartisan health policy research group. To help you make this important decision about your metabolic health, we enlisted obesity and bariatric physicians to provide some guidelines on how to buy semaglutide online safely. Getting Ozempic from a licensed pharmacy or a reputable online service can give you confidence in the medication’s authenticity, safety, and effectiveness.