All Ozempic Alternatives for Weight Loss (Guide)

Common GLP-1 alternatives to Ozempic are:

• Liraglutide (Branded as Saxenda and Victoza): Usually available as an injectable liquid solution, Saxenda is FDA-approved for weight loss, while Victoza is not

• Semaglutide (Branded as Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus): Usually available as prefilled pens, Wegovy is used with a reduced calorie diet and exercise

• Dulaglutide (Branded as Trulicity): Usually taken weekly

• Exenatide (Branded as Byetta and Bydureon BCise): Byetta is taken twice daily, while Bydureon BCise is taken weekly.

Those who are seeking for the closest one-to-one alternative to Ozempic usually want to look for a GLP-1 liquid injectable solution that has very strong similarities to the effects of Ozempic (semaglutide). In terms of brand choice, that would usually be Wegovy, Rybelsus, Saxenda, and Victoza (all of which are either liraglutide or semaglutide).

1. Rybelsus

Rybelsus is a semaglutide medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. It's usually prescribed in combination with lifestyle changes like healthy diet and exercise. Dissimilar to Ozempic (being a once-weekly injectable form of semaglutide), Rybelsus is a daily oral tablet version of the same medication.

2. Saxenda

Saxenda (liraglutide) is a prescription injectable medication that is popular with adults who want to manage their overall body mass index or weight. It's a GLP-1 agonist drug that works by decreasing the patient's appetite and slowing down muscle movements in the gut. The result is that it helps people feel full for longer and reduce caloric intake.

3. Mounjaro

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a prescription injection medication used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. It's also FDA-approved for chronic weight management in overweight and obese adults. Mounjaro is a common alternative to Ozempic for its similar results, side effects, and application.

4. Trulicity

Trulicity (dulaglutide) is not actually indicated for weight loss. In clinical trials with primary endpoints ranging from 26 to 52 weeks, weight change was a secondary endpoint. Meaning, weight change from the baseline ranged from +0.4 lb to -10.1 lb for 0.75 mg dose to 4.5 mg dose respectively.

However, Trulicity (dulaglutide) also slows down how quickly food travels from your stomach to your intestines. This helps regulate your appetite and digestion, which also helps control blood glucose levels. This can lead to weight loss.

5. Wegovy

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription injection that helps adults and some children manage their weight in the long term. It's used in addition to diet and exercise, and works by mimicking a hormone that targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake.

6. Januvia

Januvia (sitagliptin) is a type 2 diabetes medicine that can help you lower your blood sugar and reach your target goals, when used with diet and exercise. In studies it has not been shown to lead to weight gain when used alone or with metformin. Januvia is not approved to be used for weight loss.

7. Metformin

Metformin does several things in your body, such as reducing how much glucose (sugar) your liver releases into your body. Researchers think one of the main reasons it works for weight loss is that it affects hormones involved in appetite, leading you to eat less.

Average Monthly Costs:

1. Wegovy: $1,300 - $1,400

2. Mounjaro: $900 - $1,200

3. Ozempic: $850 - $950

4. Saxenda: $1,200 - $1,500

5. Trulicity: $850 - $1,000

6. Januvia: $500 - $600

7. Metformin: $0 - $20

Metformin is considered to be the cheapest alternative to Ozempic. However, it is in a class of “wonder drugs” that often gets regulated or discontinued based on the US history of weight loss medications.

Metformin is a generic drug that's widely prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes and is considered affordable compared to other prescription drugs. As of July 2024, the retail price for 60 generic 500 mg tablets of metformin can range anywhere from $10 to $30, depending on your location, the pharmacy, and the quantity you’re trying to obtain. On average, a one-month supply of generic metformin can cost around $4. Metformin is also sold under brand names such as Fortamet, Glumetza, and Glucophage, which can be more expensive.

Caffeine or Coffee

Coffee or caffeine is a natural appetite suppressor. Which is one of the main components of why Ozempic works so well. Caffeine may initially suppress your appetite, but it can also have the opposite effect and increase hunger over time. The exact mechanisms behind this response are not fully understood, but it is believed that caffeine can influence hormones such as ghrelin and leptin, which regulate hunger and satiety. Caffeine can also prompt hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, which can also increase appetite and cause the body to crave higher calorie foods.

FitSpresso

FitSpresso is one of the newer and more popular over-the-counter dietary supplements on the market. These types of supplements don’t usually have any scientific or clinical proof for their claims of weight loss. Recent reviews of FitSpresso suggest that consumers may want to be cautious about their choice of purchase on this product due to its lack of evidentiary results.

PhenQ

PhenQ is another dietary supplement similar to FitSpresso. This is another dietary supplement that doesn’t have any clinical trials associated with it. However, it suggests through marketing that it helps to increase the metabolic rate in the body which would help to both shed body fat as well as regulate how your body processes new foods in the system.