Anyone know how to get semiglutide or Ozempic or whatever

[Maraya1969]

it is called. I had one doctor who said I had to come in every week and pay $75 for a shot and yet I see it advertised on the net where it is supposed to be much cheaper.

I am leery of these things. But then again some of the doctors I have seen around here should not even have medical degrees, in my opinion

[arlyellowdog]

1. It really depends on your insurance

Biden is fighting the costs. But some insurances will cover it (or the newer ones like Zepbound). But without a willing insurance, there is no cheap way to get it. The people i know that got it were on waiting lists and then had to take classes. It’s a big commitment. One person pays $350 a month. The thing is it really works. The person just has never been able to get her weight under 200. But she’s lost over 45 pounds in a few months. It’s a life saver for people who need it.

[arlyellowdog]

2. Oh her doctor said they are coming out with a pill form

[blue neen]

3. Um, this "doctor" is ripping you off.

Your PCP gives you a script that gets filled at a pharmacy. It will have a months’ worth of shots, depending on your dosage which you dial up. It’s a very tiny needle, and you self administer. I could even do it and I’m terrified of needles!

I also have serious doubts as to whether you’re getting actual Ozempic. Please see your PCP or other genuine doctor.

Good luck.

[dhol82]

4. Just spoke to my GI guy last week. He doesn't recommend it.

Aside from many other side effects it causes constipation. That alone makes it a no-go for me.
Also, my GP was also against it.
Guess I have to just suck it up and go the eat less, exercise more route. Bummer.

[iemanja]

10. A high fiber diet can correct that

It worked for me. I take Wegovy. I got constipation once and then drastically increased my fiber and haven’t had that problem since. I’ve been on the drug for 4 weeks.

[Gaytano70]

5. I have type II diabetes and get a monthly Rx for Ozempic from my doctor.

Not sure of any others methods for getting a diabetes drug.

[Pachamama]

6. There are cheaper options for semaglutide shots that are generic and compounded

They will still run you about $300 a month and you have to make a 6 month commitment to get that price

[cyclonefence]

7. If you don't have type 2 diabetes,

talk to your doctor about Wegovy (I think that's the name). It's the same medication, only marketed specifically for weight loss.

My husband, who is diabetic, gives himself a shot (and he is Mr. Squeamish) once a week. It's (imo) bullshit that you would have to go to the doctor's office for this shot.

But the poster above is right--you need to talk to a real physician because there can be side effects you might not want to deal with.

[forkol]

8. Some info on semiglutide...

There are two levels of the drug semaglutide: One is dosed as Ozempic, for Type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy, which is supposed to be for weigh loss for obesity. Wegovy is usually at a higher dose level than Ozempic.

The cheapest way to get it will be if you have commercial or private insurance. There is a coupon card for Ozempic that will reduce the cost to as little as $25 a month co-pay if you have such insurance. I do not see any discount for either Ozempic or Wegovy outside of such insurance and it won't become a generic until at least 2031, it looks like.

If you do have commercial or private insurance, and you have type 2 diabetes, heart, blood pressure, or cholesterol issues, especially related to obesity or weight, then you may not have much of an issue getting a prescription, and it should cost about $25.00 as a co-pay with/without the discount card.

Those individual shots in a doctor's office are probably compounded versions, which may or may not meet the original drug-maker's or the FDA's specs.

[yourout]

9. I did Ozympic for about a year but I kept getting sick from it and landing in the hospital once with non-stop vomiting a

Diarrhea.

Have switched to rubulsys with a daily pill and have been able to handle that just fine.

2 days after I would take my weekly injection I would be vomiting and as soon as we stopped the injections the problem went away

[iemanja]

11. These drugs are formulated for you to

Give the shot to yourself. Find a new doctor. This one sounds like a conman.

I’ve been on Wegovy for four weeks. I give myself the injections and they don’t even hurt.

[OldBaldy1701E]

12. My landlord uses Mounjaro.

It runs him around $900 a dose, according to his paperwork. He gets it monthly, which is four injectors.

Must be nice. The rest of us have to eat cardboard and drink water and still deal with fluctuating levels and being a fat blob.

[iemanja]

13. With my insurance

I pay $24 for a month’s supply of Wegovy.

[OldBaldy1701E]

14. Must be nice. (n/t)

[mahina]

15. I'm in a study with two docs here in Honolulu. Not your question but good to know,

when you eat a healthy diet with plenty of fiber from foods, the fiber makes semiglutide naturally in your gut. No $1000/mo bill (that's what it costs here) and no weight rebound when you stop taking it.

Also, Metformin reduces hunger.
(healthy diet defined as plenty of green vegetables, fruit, no sugar or flour, healthy proteins and complex carbs, no processed foods so nothing from a box)

best luck Maraya1969!