The Fast Facts
- Ozempic is approved for the management of type 2 diabetes, but it’s also used off-label to support weight loss.
- Its active ingredient, semaglutide, is a synthetic version of the natural hormone GLP-1. This hormone plays a vital role in regulating blood sugar levels.
- You can buy Ozempic online, but only with a prescription. You can get a prescription via a reputable telehealth platform, such as Ro or PlushCare, or in person from a doctor.
- Ro: one-on-one medication management and coaching | Skip to review
- PlushCare: doctor-led weight loss, many insurance options | Skip to review
- Noom Med for Ozempic: psychology-based weight loss, many supporting tools | Skip to review
- Sesame Care: same-day virtual or in-office health visits | Skip to review
- Calibrate: combines lifestyle modification and medication | Skip to review
- K Health: unlimited access to diabetes-management pros | Skip to review
- LifeMD: ongoing metabolic testing, clinical oversight | Skip to review
Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable medication initially designed to manage type 2 diabetes. Over the past few years, its potential to aid weight loss has captured more public attention.
When paired with diet and exercise, Ozempic is an effective treatment option for weight management, but to try it, you need a prescription.
The best way to get an Ozempic prescription is through an in-person evaluation. But if you prefer to buy Ozempic online, several options passed our stringent vetting standards.
THE LATEST ON OZEMPIC
Take a look at what’s happening in the world of GLP-1s.
• ongoing support
$129 without insurance
• behavior change program
• food tracking app
• ongoing support
• behavior change program
• ongoing support
• ongoing support
• metabolic testing
Our Medical Standards and Insights team vetted all the brands and services in this article to ensure that their business practices and medical-related claims align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being.
During vetting, platforms receive a failing grade if they’re found to have unethical business practices, use deceptive advertising, or feature misrepresentative marketing of medications and products.
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We evaluate services for consistency with standards of care and best practices, and we look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the services on this page, we considered all the GLP-1 services that passed our vetting process. Then, we looked at availability, cost, and the additional resources each service provides to narrow down our list even further.
You can buy Ozempic online, but what about over the counter?
Ozempic is not available as an over-the-counter weight loss or diabetes drug. You always need a prescription to get Ozempic, and you should avoid telehealth providers, pharmacies, or other companies that offer over-the-counter Ozempic, as it is unlikely to be safe.
While the convenience of online shopping is appealing, purchasing Ozempic or any prescription medication online without proper precautions can pose significant health risks.
According to Duah, if you want to use an online option, “look into the qualifications of the provider first and foremost and make sure they are licensed practitioners.”
“[Individuals] should make sure guidelines are quite clear regarding their care, including how often they will have appointments, if they provide lifestyle counseling in addition to the use of medications, how much the medication will cost, how long they will have to take the medication, and from where the medication will come,” Duah said.
Finally, there are potential issues to be aware of that can lead to adverse outcomes, including:
- Counterfeit medications: Rogue businesses may offer counterfeit or substandard versions of Ozempic. These fake medications can contain harmful substances or incorrect doses, compromising your health and treatment effectiveness.
- Compounding pharmacies: The
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning against the use of compounded semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) due to safety concerns. Read more about compounded semaglutide. - Financial scams: Online platforms promising Ozempic at unbelievably low prices may be scams seeking to exploit unsuspecting customers. Not only will you receive fake medications, but you might also lose money, with no available assistance to address any issues.
- Privacy and data security: Unreliable online pharmacies might mishandle your personal and medical information, risking your privacy. Your data could be vulnerable to identity theft or other cyber threats.
Compare against the manufacturer’s medication and devices
The manufacturer of Ozempic recently released a statement containing tips on protecting against counterfeit pens that may be on the market right now.
What do I do if Ozempic is unavailable?
Due to occasional supply chain issues, Ozempic may be difficult to get. In these cases, your healthcare professional may recommend an Ozempic alternative, such as Wegovy, Zepbound, or Mounjaro.
These drugs work similarly to Ozempic. Depending on which medication your doctor prescribes, you may receive slightly different dosages.
As of October 2025, the
- Oral semaglutide may help lower heart failure risk in people with type 2 diabetes.
- A
new study finds that people who stop GLP-1s may regain the weight they lost, on average, within 1.7 years. - A
2025 study has found that a once-weekly injection of low dose semaglutide led to reduced alcohol and nicotine cravings in people with alcohol use disorder. Additionally, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence emerging that people taking GLP-1s can experience a decreased desire for alcoholic drinks and reduce their alcohol consumption as a result. - Women are reporting what’s been coined as “Ozempic vulva,” an unexpected side effect of Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs.
- Some individuals taking GLP-1 drugs have reported hair loss as a possible side effect. The exact cause is unclear, but experts say it could be attributed to weight loss from the medication.
- Eli Lilly officials announced a new program providing some consumers with single-dose vials of Zepbound at a 50% discount, making the weight-loss medications more affordable and accessible.
- Studies investigated whether GLP-1 medications like semaglutide could be linked to an increased risk of suicidal ideation. So far, results have been mixed.
Ozempic is an injectable medication the FDA approved to manage type 2 diabetes.
Its active ingredient, semaglutide, is a synthetic version of the natural hormone GLP-1. This hormone plays a vital role in regulating blood sugar levels.
When administered once per week, Ozempic enhances insulin production in response to high blood sugar levels, leading to better glucose management. It helps slow digestion, reduce the release of sugar from the liver, and create a sensation of fullness, working to curb appetite.
Ozempic is also becoming increasingly popular for weight loss, which is an off-label use. However, in 2021, the FDA approved semaglutide, the same active drug in Ozempic, under the brand name Wegovy as a weight loss medication.
An expert’s take on Ozempic for weight loss
When asked about what people should be aware of with off-label use of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Janelle Duah, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine explained, “If [it’s] being prescribed by a physician, then there is no medical issue with taking Ozempic for weight loss, as it is the same [active ingredient] as Wegovy: semaglutide.”
Still, Duah cautioned: “One, however, may wonder about the ethics of using it off-label, given medication shortages and reducing the supply available to people who need it for diabetes management.
“As well, people should be very careful about purchasing Ozempic from medi-spas and compounding pharmacies, as it is hard to verify that you are receiving the true medication.”
FDA
The cost of Ozempic can vary depending on factors such as dosage, insurance coverage, and pharmacy.
If you use an online pharmacy or telehealth provider, you may also pay additional fees such as a consultation fee.
K Health is the cheapest option in our article, offering Ozempic access for $49 in the first month with no consultation fee.
- any current or past problems with your pancreas or kidneys
- a history of diabetic retinopathy
- are pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant
Ozempic may help you manage type 2 diabetes or your weight loss goals. You need a prescription to buy Ozempic. If you’re eligible for the medication, you can get a prescription from a doctor or online healthcare service, like Ro or PlushCare.
Once you have a prescription, you can fill it at the pharmacy of your choice.
No matter where you buy Ozempic, make sure you do so from reputable and authorized sources. Avoid purchasing from unverified online platforms or sources that offer Ozempic without a prescription.
Getting Ozempic from a licensed pharmacy or a reputable online service can give you confidence in the medication’s authenticity, safety, and effectiveness.