Ozempic, a prescription-only type 2 diabetes medication with the active ingredient semagulatide, has become popular due to its ability to promote weight loss. With increasing popularity and demand, people are now looking for alternatives to Ozempic or medications that work similarly to the injectable medication.
“Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes,” explains Priya Jaisinghani, MDendocrinologist at NYU Langone Health. “Ozempic lowers blood sugar by delaying stomach emptying and helping the pancreas release more insulin when blood sugar is high.”
Meet the experts: Dr Deena Adimoolamdiabetes and endocrinology specialist and assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai; and Priya Jaisinghani, MDendocrinologist at NYU Langone Health
However, Ozempic is not the only drug of this type. “We have many drugs in the same class (GLP-1 analogues) as Ozempic,” explains Dr Deena Adimoolamdiabetes and endocrinology specialist and assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai. There are other medications available for people with type 2 diabetes and for those seeking medical intervention to lose weight.
Below, experts outline some Ozempic alternatives (both pharmaceutical and natural) worth considering and those you may want to avoid.
Alternatives to Ozempic for Diabetes
“If patients using Ozempic (semaglutide) to manage their type 2 diabetes are experiencing drug shortages or side effects, it may be necessary to consider an alternative medication,” says Dr. Jaisinghani. (Note: Some versions of semaglutide are currently in shortage.) Fortunately, “there are other medications indicated for type 2 diabetes that could be used as alternatives to Ozempic.”
Mounjaro
Some type 2 diabetes medications are GLP-1 And Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides (GIPs), such as Mounjaro. “Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a ‘twincretin’ or GLP-1/GIP that is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Jaisinghani. “It works by delaying gastric emptying, decreasing food intake, and helping regulate blood sugar by affecting hormones such as insulin and glucagon.” Glucagon and insulin are both hormones that balance blood sugar. While glucagon helps keep blood sugar from dropping too low, insulin keeps blood sugar from rising too high.
This injectable medication targets the same receptors as Ozempic (GLP-1 receptors) but also targets GIP receptors. The two receptors act in distinct but 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 a suitable alternative to Ozmepic for people with type 2 diabetes. “Patients who find subcutaneous (under the skin) administration inconvenient or unsuitable may benefit from an oral medication option,” notes Dr. Jaisinghani. It works by lowering blood sugar through insulin secretion, delaying stomach emptying, and decreasing sugar released by the liver, the drug’s manufacturer notes.
Trulicity
Trulicty (dulaglutide) is an oral GLP-1 medication, Dr. Adimoolam says. It’s typically taken once a week and helps many people lower their A1C, a measure of average blood sugar levels over the past three months. Many patients on the medication achieve an A1C below 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, Dr. Jaisinghani explains. According to Victoza’s website, the drug helps people with type 2 diabetes by slowing down the rate at which food leaves the stomach, regulating the liver’s production of sugar, and helping the pancreas produce the appropriate amount of insulin.
Alternatives to Ozempic for weight loss
Despite its popularity among those looking to lose weight, Ozempic is actually not FDA-approved for weight loss. However, “there are other injectable therapies available for weight management,” says Dr. Jaisinghani.
Pants
“Wegovy (which contains) semaglutide… has been approved by the FDA for weight loss,” is an alternative to Ozempic for those looking to lose weight, says Dr. Adimoolam. It’s an injectable medication that contains 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide and works similarly to Ozempic. It helps lower blood sugar, delay stomach emptying, and regulate appetite. However, it’s important to note that Wegovy can not be covered by insurance.
Zepbound
Zepbound (tirezepatide) “is a GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist,” Dr. Jaisinghani explains. It works similarly to Mounjaro (tirezepatide) to delay gastric emptying, decrease appetite, and regulate blood sugar. It is FDA-approved for weight management.
Saxenda
“Saxenda (liraglutide) is another FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight management that is administered subcutaneously (under the skin) daily.” It works like other GLP-1 receptor agonists to help patients lose weight in addition to making healthy lifestyle choices.
Qsymia
Qysmia (phentermine and topiramate) is not a GLP-1 receptor agonist, but is a potential alternative to Ozempic for people struggling with excess weight, Adimoolam says. It is FDA-approved for chronic weight management and works by reducing appetite. The drug is taken orally in capsule form and is typically prescribed in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Over-the-counter alternatives to Ozempic
“There are many over-the-counter weight loss products readily available to the public, and seeing so many products can be confusing and discouraging,” says Dr. Adimoolam. “Many of these over-the-counter products are not FDA-approved for weight loss (or type 2 diabetes), and many of them have little research and data to support their safety and effectiveness.” It is very important to talk to your doctor before considering any of these over-the-counter medications/supplements.
If you choose to go the over-the-counter route and have discussed this with your supplier, the following products may qualify as “alternatives to Ozempic.”
Berberine
Dubbed “nature’s Ozempic,” berberine has become popular on TikTok for its purported ability to aid weight loss. It’s a botanical compound that’s often sold as a supplement in capsule or powder form. A few studies have shown that berberine may help with weight loss, but it hasn’t been formally compared to Ozempic or similar medications. 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 that’s often found in fiber supplements. While it hasn’t been studied for type 2 diabetes or weight-loss medications, fiber for weight loss can be a helpful tool alongside 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, a registered dietitian specializing in fitness and wellness, previously explained. One study found that psyllium husk led to reductions in body weight, blood sugar, constipation, and cholesterol. However, it may not mix well with certain foods and medications, so it’s important to talk to your doctor before 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 any disease. Be careful when taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also be careful when giving dietary supplements to a child unless recommended by their healthcare professional.
Shannen Zitz is an associate editor at Prevention, where she covers everything related to lifestyle, wellness, beauty and relationships. Previously an editorial assistant at Prevention, She graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a BA in English. When she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her hanging out on Reddit’s skincare and makeup forums or hogging the squat rack at the gym.