While many people rave about the weight loss benefits of drugs like Ozempic, these drugs Really expensive. These drugs have also been in short supply, making it difficult to obtain Ozempic and similar drugs if you can afford them.
As a result, some people use telemedicine or compounding pharmacies to obtain semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic). It also makes sense to turn to telemedicine if you don’t have a primary care physician or a doctor you feel comfortable prescribing these medications to.
However, this is not perfect and may make it difficult to access Ozempic through pharmacies in the future. A similar drug, tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound), was just removed from the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration. Drug shortage listThis means that dispensing pharmacies will no longer be able to manufacture and sell drugs. (You can create your own versions only if you are in short supply of these medications.)
So are semaglutide drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. reportedly We’re getting closer to getting off the shortage list, but we’re not there yet. As a result, a combined version of semaglutide is available through telemedicine.
But is this a good idea? Obesity doctors weigh in.
Meet the experts: Dr. Alexandra Sowais an internist specializing in preventive health, nutrition, and obesity medicine, and the author of a forthcoming book. Ozempic revolution
What are the benefits of obtaining Ozempic through a telemedicine appointment or pharmacy?
There are some potential perks to choosing this route. “Weight stigma still pervades many medical practices, which can make it difficult to find a general practitioner who will prescribe Ozempic,” he says. Dr. Alexandra Sowaan internist specializing in preventive health, nutrition, and obesity medicine, and author of a forthcoming book. Ozempic revolution.
But telehealth appointments and compounding pharmacies typically have established business models for prescribing and delivering these medications, she says. “This is a friendly and easy way to get your medication,” Sowa says.
If you go the compound interest route, costs can go either way, she says. These drugs are often cheaper than face value when purchased from a compounding pharmacy, but “many companies don’t offer insurance options,” Sowa says.
If you don’t have health insurance or your health insurance doesn’t cover a drug like Ozempic, getting your medication from a compounding pharmacy may be a more affordable option. But that’s not always the case (more on this in a moment).
What are the disadvantages of obtaining Ozempic through a telemedicine appointment or from a pharmacy?
There are some potential drawbacks to using this method. The FDA warned Regarding potential disadvantages and over-the-counter placebos, taking any of these can be dangerous.
Most telemedicine and compounding pharmacies also focus on simply losing weight and don’t consider overall health, Sowa says.
“These drugs are meant to help you lose overall weight for your health,” she says. “Taking it just to lose weight is problematic.”
These drugs are not FDA approved or regulated. “They’re supposed to be copies, but it’s hard to know what’s inside,” Sowa says. Therefore, it is difficult to know whether they are safe or effective.
It may also be more cost-effective to obtain genuine Ozempic through your doctor.
“For a long time, we had a lot of patients who paid for compounded drugs, but their insurance had obesity coverage and the actual drugs were supposed to be covered,” Sowa says. “They paid more money than they should have.”
How does the dosage differ from traditional Ozempic?
Since every pharmacy is different, it is difficult to make a blanket statement about how compound Ozempic works. However, Sowa said it is often administered by injection rather than the brand-name Ozempic, which comes in a pen.
“Drugs from compounding pharmacies usually come in vials,” she says. That is, you use a needle to pull out the required amount of medicine and inject it into your body.
How are the side effects different from traditional Ozempic?
Again, it’s hard to say. “We don’t fully know what’s in it or how it’s diluted,” Sowa says. “The biggest side effect I’ve ever experienced is people saying it didn’t work. It makes you wonder how active these combined drugs are.”
Does Ozempic need to be obtained through a telemedicine appointment or a pharmacy?
Sowa doesn’t like going down this path.
“This is a big problem,” she says. “It’s best to see a doctor who is board certified in bariatric medicine.”
At the very least, Sowa says, a doctor who specializes in obesity medicine can explain your options and see if you’re a good candidate for Ozempic. From there you can decide on your next steps.
Colin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, and his work has appeared in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. It is published. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives near the beach, and hopes to one day own a teacup pig and taco truck.
