What Doctors Want You to Know About Ozempic Alternatives
Ozempic, a prescription-only type 2 diabetes drug with the active ingredient semagulatide, has become popular thanks to its ability to aid in weight loss. With increased popularity and demand, people are now searching for Ozempic alternatives or medications that work similarly to the injectable drug.
“Ozempic is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist that is [U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)]-approved for type 2 diabetes,” explains Priya Jaisinghani, M.D., an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Health. “Ozempic lowers blood sugar by delaying emptying of the stomach, and helping the pancreas release more insulin when blood sugars are high.”
Meet the experts: Deena Adimoolam, M.D., a specialist in diabetes and endocrinology and assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai; and Priya Jaisinghani, M.D., an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Health
However, Ozempic is not the only medication of its kind. “We have many drugs in the same class of drugs (GLP-1 analogs) like Ozempic,” says Deena Adimoolam, M.D., a specialist in diabetes and endocrinology and assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai. There are other medications available for those with type 2 diabetes and for those who seek medical intervention for weight loss.
Below, experts break down a few Ozempic alternatives (both pharmaceutical and natural) that are worth considering, and ones you may want to avoid.
Ozempic alternatives for diabetes
“If patients using Ozempic (semaglutide) to manage their type 2 diabetes experience medication shortages or side effects, it may be necessary to consider an alternative medication,” explains Dr. Jaisinghani. (Note, some iterations of semaglutide are currently in shortage). Luckily, “there are other medications indicated for type 2 diabetes which could be used as an alternative to Ozempic.”
Mounjaro
Some type 2 diabetes medications are GLP-1s and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides (GIP), like Mounjaro. “Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a ‘twincretin’ or GLP-1/GIP FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Jaisinghani. “It acts by delaying gastric emptying, decreasing food intake, and helps regulate blood sugars by affecting hormones such as insulin and glucagon.” Glucagon and insulin are both hormones that balance blood sugar levels. While glucagon helps prevent blood sugar from dropping too low, insulin helps blood sugar levels from rising too high.
This injectable medication targets the same receptors as Ozempic (GLP-1 receptors) but also targets GIP receptors. Both receptors work in distinct yet similar ways on the body’s hormones and digestive system to manage type 2 diabetes.
Rybelsus
Rybelsus is an oral form of semagulatide that may be an appropriate alternative to Ozmepic for those with type 2 diabetes. “Patients who find subcutaneous (under the skin) administration inconvenient or unsuitable might benefit from an oral medication option,” Dr. Jaisinghani notes. It works by lowering blood sugar via insulin secretion, delaying emptying of the stomach, and decreasing sugar released from the liver, the drugmaker notes.
Trulicity
Trulicty (dulaglutide) is an oral GLP-1 medication, Dr. Adimoolam explains. It is typically taken once weekly and helps many people lower their A1C—a measurement of average blood sugar levels over the past three months. Many patients on the medication reach an A1C of under 7%, a goal for many adults with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Victoza
Victoza (liraglutide) is an injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist, says Dr. Jaisinghani. According to the Victoza website, the drug helps those with type 2 diabetes by slowing down the rate at which food leaves your stomach, regulating the liver’s production of sugar, and helping the pancreas produce the appropriate amount of insulin.
Ozempic alternatives for weight loss
Despite its popularity for those looking to lose weight, Ozempic is actually not approved by the FDA for weight loss. However, “there are other injectable therapies available for weight management,” Dr. Jaisinghani explains.
Wegovy
“Wegovy [which contains] semaglutide... has been FDA-approved for weight loss,” is an Ozempic alternative for those looking to lose weight, Dr. Adimoolam says. It is an injectable medication that contains 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide and works similarly to Ozempic. It helps lower blood sugar, delay emptying of the stomach, and regulate appetite. However, it’s important to note that Wegovy may not be covered by insurance.
Zepbound
Zepbound (tirezepatide) “is a GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist,” says Dr. Jaisinghani. It works in the same way as Mounjaro (tirezepatide) to delay gastric emptying, decrease appetite, and regulate blood sugar levels. It is FDA-approved for weight management.
Saxenda
“Saxenda (liraglutide) is another GLP-1 receptor agonist which is FDA-approved for weight management administered subcutaneously (under the skin) daily.” It works like other GLP-1 receptor agonists to help patients lose weight in addition to healthy lifestyle choices.
Qsymia
Qysmia (phentermine and topiramate) is not a GLP-1 receptor agonist, but is a potential alternative to Ozempic for those struggling with weight, Adimoolam says. It is FDA-approved for chronic weight management and works by reducing appetite. The medication is taken orally in capsule form and is typically prescribed in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Over-the-counter Ozempic alternatives
“There are many over-the-counter (OTC) weight loss products readily available to the public—and seeing so many products can be confusing and overwhelming,” says Dr. Adimoolam. “Many of these OTC products are not FDA-approved for weight loss [or type 2 diabetes], and many have minimal research and data to prove safety and efficacy. It’s very important to talk to your doctor before considering any of these OTC medications/supplements.”
If you choose to go the OTC route and have discussed so with your provider, the following may be dubbed “Ozempic alternatives.”
Berberine
Dubbed “nature’s Ozempic,” berberine has become popular on TikTok for its purported ability to aid in weight loss. It’s a botanical compound often sold as a supplement in capsule or powder form. A few studies have shown that berberine may help with weight loss, but it has not been formally compared to Ozempic or similar drugs. Like other supplements, berberine is also not monitored by the FDA and may interact with other medications.
Psyllium husk
Psyllium husk is a type of soluble fiber often found in fiber supplements. While also not studied against type 2 diabetes or weight loss drugs, fiber for weight loss can be a useful tool in addition to other healthy lifestyle choices. Consuming soluble fiber “creates a greater feeling of fullness, which can help control food intake and support weight loss efforts,” Heather Mangieri, R.D.N., a sports and wellness dietitian previously explained. One study revealed that psyllium husk resulted in reduced body weight, blood sugar levels, constipation, and cholesterol. However, it may not mix well with some foods and medications, so it’s important to speak with your physician prior to adding it to your routine.
Dietary supplements are products intended to supplement the diet. They are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases. Be cautious about taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, be careful about giving supplements to a child, unless recommended by their healthcare provider.
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