Written and medically assessed by W. van Donselaar, MD, BIG 79020681301, on 07-05-2026.
Ozempic contains semaglutide and is registered for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In
clinical trial with semaglutide in obese adults lost participants
on average 12 to 15 per cent of their body weight over 68 weeks, combined with
lifestyle counselling. What this means for you depends on your starting weight, your dosage, your
lifestyle and how your body reacts. On this page, we explain what the drug does, what
realistic expectations and when a trajectory suits us.
Content blog
What does Ozempic do, and what doesn't it do?
Ozempic lowers your appetite and slows gastric emptying. It belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonists, a group of drugs that trigger the body's own satiety stimulus
mimic. As a result, you feel full faster, and that feeling lasts longer. This helps you eat less without feeling constantly hungry.
What the drug does NOT do: it does not adopt eating habits. There is no such thing as a separate Ozempic diet. What does work is an eating pattern with smaller portions, plenty of protein,
fibre and regularity. The biggest misconception in the practice stories we hear is that the drug would replace nutrition, exercise and daily habits. It doesn't.
For pure weight treatment in obesity, there is a separate registration of semaglutide
with higher maximum dose: Wegovy. Ozempic is sometimes prescribed off-label for
weight loss, especially in people with type 2 diabetes as well as obesity.
What does the research say about weight loss?
In the 2021 STEP-1 trial, obese adults lost an average of 12 to 15 per cent of their body weight over 68 weeks. For someone weighing 100 kilograms, that works out to about 12 to 15 kilograms over that period. Those participants used 2.4 mg of semaglutide (the Wegovy dose, higher than the Ozempic maximum dose of 2 mg) weekly in combination with
intensive lifestyle counselling. The control group with placebo lost an average of 2-3
per cent. Individual variation within that group was large: some lost more, some less. The average is no promise for your outcome.
For Ozempic itself, on the lower dose, the average weight loss in the SUSTAIN trial series in type 2 diabetes was around 3 to 6 kg. That trial ran over 30 to 56 weeks. Other clinical trials give similar ranges. The rate typically runs between 0.5
and 2 kg per month, depending on where you start.
You may notice a lower appetite as early as 1 to 2 weeks. Measurable weight loss follows
later. The first 4 to 8 weeks are all about build-up and habituation. Real effects assess
you better after 8 to 12 weeks. Then you will have had time to see if it works and if it is sustainable, and how your body reacts. Quick promises like “10 kilos in a month” don't suit a serious trajectory.
How does Ozempic compare with Wegovy and Mounjaro?
People considering losing weight with medication soon come across more names. A brief placeholder.
Wegovy contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic (semaglutide), but with a higher maximum dose: 2.4 mg per week versus 2 mg. Wegovy is specifically registered for
weight treatment. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, another active ingredient that acts on both GLP-1 and a second gut hormone (GIP). In clinical trials, tirzepatide showed
see greater weight loss on average than semaglutide, especially at the higher doses.
The 2024 SURMOUNT-5 trial was the first direct head-to-head comparison between the two agents. Participants on tirzepatide lost an average of 20.2 per cent of their
body weight over 72 weeks. The semaglutide group lost 13.7
per cent. Whether that difference benefits you depends on more than just the
average, such as indication, medical history and availability.
Which drug is appropriate depends on your indication, medical history and
availability. That's what our doctors are about in the intake. A blog does not choose you. A broader overview of our waste medication treatments is on the cluster page.
Considering the medical way to lose weight? Schedule a no-obligation consultation at WeightConsult. Do our own health check and contact us easily online
For whom could Ozempic be a logical next step?
Medical assessment determines whether semaglutide fits into a treatment regimen. Besides your BMI, we also look at your history, any contraindications, your kidney function and possible interactions with other medication. At Weightconsult, W. van Donselaar (physician, BIG 79020681301) assesses every intake. The aim is not to quickly arrange a prescription, but to determine whether a course is justified and what guidance is needed. What a trajectory with Ozempic injections with us is described later on this page.
| What we assess | Examples | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Indication | BMI, previous weight loss attempts, comorbidities | Does treatment fit? |
| Medical context | history, renal function, other medication | Start responsibly? |
| Other factors | pregnancy wish, allergies | Need additional assessment? |
The health check is an initial filter, not a medical endorsement. In a short online questionnaire, you fill in your BMI, medical history, current medication and relevant health signs. Based on this, we assess whether a more extensive intake is useful. Do the check if you want to know whether a pathway suits you.
What does an Ozempic track cost?
A course of waste medication consists of three cost components. You pay the price of the medication to the pharmacy; it varies by brand and dosage stage. The provider's guidance fee is the second component. In our case, this includes the medical intake, evaluation moments and coaching during the course. Finally, there may be additional costs, such as a follow-up appointment or nutritional coaching.
For pure obesity treatment, Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are usually not reimbursed through basic insurance. What is covered under your policy, check with your own health insurer; we take no position on that.
What side effects are known?
Gastrointestinal symptoms are the most commonly reported side effects with semaglutide. According to the SmPC, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation and abdominal pain are very common: in more than 1 in 10 users in studies. In the STEP-1 trial, nausea occurred in about 4 in 10 participants. The rest of the participants did not experience it, or in milder form. Symptoms are usually mild to moderate and occur mostly around dose increases. In most people, they diminish as the body gets used to the drug.
Often (1 in 100 to 1 in 10), fatigue, gastroenteritis (gastroenteritis) and stomach pain or heartburn (dyspepsia) also occur. If you combine Ozempic with other blood sugar-lowering drugs, a dose adjustment of those drugs may be needed to prevent too low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). Uncommon (1 in 1,000 to 1 in 100): gallstones, pancreatitis and kidney complications. Rare to very rare, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) occur.
Those who fail to report such signals during a trajectory miss the opportunity to make adjustments. Therefore, this belongs in counselling, not in self-direction.
How do you maintain results after quitting?
After stopping, some people regain weight. This is rarely due to the drug itself “working out”, and more often to old habits returning as soon as hunger and cravings increase again. In our online check-ins, we see a clear difference between people who stop with a withdrawal plan plus concrete lifestyle agreements, and those who stop abruptly.
Therefore, always discuss phasing out with your doctor. A good phase-out schedule takes into account evaluation of your progress, lifestyle and follow-up.
A course at Weightconsult: what does it involve?
We supervise trajectories with Ozempic injections completely online. This means: digital intake and medical assessment by Weightconsult's own doctors. Delivery is via pharmacy eFarma after a valid prescription. During the process, we guide you around build-up schedule, nutrition and dealing with side effects.
We don't choose which remedy is best for you based on a blog. We look at your whole situation in the intake, explain which options are open and which are not, and then determine the direction with you.
Key points blog at a glance
How much do you lose weight on average with Ozempic?
How much do you lose weight on average with Ozempic?
In the SUSTAIN trial series in type 2 diabetes, participants lost an average of 3 to 6 kg over 30 to 56 weeks. On the higher semaglutide dose in the STEP-1 trial (Wegovy dose 2.4 mg), average weight loss was between 12 and 15 per cent over 68 weeks. Individual variation is large.
How long does it take to see effects?
How long does it take to see effects?
You often notice a lower appetite within 1 to 2 weeks. Measurable weight loss follows after 4 to 8 weeks. Real effects are better assessed after 8 to 12 weeks; your body has time for that.
Will I get all the kilos back after stopping?
Will I get all the kilos back after stopping?
In a proportion of users, weight returns, especially when stopping abruptly without lifestyle modification. A phase-out plan with continued lifestyle support significantly reduces that risk.
Is Ozempic covered by health insurance?
Is Ozempic covered by health insurance?
For the diabetes indication, this is possible under conditions. For pure obesity treatment, Ozempic usually falls outside the basic health insurance. Check what falls under your policy with your own health insurer.
Can I combine Ozempic with metformin?
Can I combine Ozempic with metformin?
Yes, this is a common combination. If you combine Ozempic with insulin or certain other blood sugar-lowering tablets, a dose adjustment of those drugs may be needed to prevent too low blood sugar.
Can I get Ozempic through my GP for losing weight?
Can I get Ozempic through my GP for losing weight?
GPs prescribe Ozempic mainly for type 2 diabetes. For pure waste treatment, your GP often refers you to a specialised provider, such as an online provider with its own doctors. You can come to us for an intake without a referral. Read more about how to get Ozempic.
Can I drink alcohol during an Ozempic course?
Can I drink alcohol during an Ozempic course?
There is no strict prohibition, but moderation remains the advice. Alcohol can aggravate gastrointestinal problems in the build-up phase and interfere with your sense of satiety. In addition, do you have type 2 diabetes and use another blood sugar-lowering drug? Then alcohol increases the risk of low blood sugar. Read more about Ozempic and alcohol.
How safe is an Ozempic course under medical supervision?
How safe is an Ozempic course under medical supervision?
A course is responsible and reasonably safe when a doctor assesses your BMI, history, kidney function and medication interactions beforehand. During the course, we monitor for side effects and adjust doses where necessary. In case of signs indicating serious side effects, such as persistent abdominal pain or a severe allergic reaction, you adjust the schedule in consultation with the doctor.