You’ve no doubt heard “Ozempic” being used as a catch-all term for weight loss medication in the last few years. However, Ozempic is actually just a brand name. It sits within a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists and contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Think of it like how "Hoover" is often used in the UK to mean vacuuming, even when someone’s using a different brand of vacuum cleaner.
Confusingly, Ozempic isn’t actually a weight loss drug, but a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Another medication called Wegovy contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic, but is prescribed for weight loss. If you’re unsure how they differ, take a look at our guide on the difference between Wegovy and Ozempic.
And there are now several different weight loss drugs that work in a similar way to Wegovy. You may have heard of Mounjaro, or Saxenda? All work very well to boost weight loss alongside healthy lifestyle changes.
As Ozempic can be expensive if bought privately, or hard to get hold of due to supply issues, many people might be wondering what suitable alternatives are. Let’s look at what else is out there—and the dangers of buying medication from unregulated websites.
Why seek alternatives to Ozempic?
If you’re still researching weight loss drugs, it’s a good idea to explore all of your options. If you’re currently using semaglutide and would like to switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional before doing so because of the change in ingredients, dosage schedules, and potential side effects.
Other reasons to seek Ozempic alternatives include:
Finding the most effective drug for weight loss
Mounjaro is another type of GLP-1 agonist containing the active ingredient tirzepatide. While Wegovy and Ozempic work by mimicking glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), a hormone that is naturally released when we eat, Mounjaro actually mimics the function of two different natural hormones: GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).
Because of this dual action, Mounjaro works slightly differently in the body. Trials have shown that both tirzepatide and semaglutide can support significant weight loss.
Mounjaro can lead to an average weight loss of up to 22.5% at the highest dose of 15mg over 72 weeks. While a study looking at participants taking a higher 7.2mg dose of Wegovy showed an average weight loss of over 20% after 72 weeks.
The best option can vary depending on individual goals, preferences, and how each medication is tolerated. Read our Wegovy vs Mounjaro comparison guide for a full breakdown.
Minimising Ozempic side effects
Side effects while taking semaglutide treatments like Wegovy or Ozempic, especially as your dose increases, are common. More than one in 10 people will experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation as your body gets used to the drug. Some users also report less common effects like oral changes (Ozempic mouth) and facial volume loss (Ozempic face).
However, many of these side effects are also common when using Mounjaro and Saxenda.
Luckily, most people find that side effects are manageable and short lived. To ease stomach issues, it’s best to get lots of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and try eating small, bland meals that are low in fat when you feel able to.
If your side effects are severe, or don’t go away, check in with your clinician and work out whether you need to stop, pause treatment temporarily, switch, or go to a lower dose.
Side effects support at Voy
"If you're using Voy and you experience any side effects, rest assured that our expert clinicians are just a message or phone call away. They can adjust your dose, prescribe medication to ease your symptoms, or simply offer reassurance.
Everyone responds differently to weight loss treatment and we'll help you find what feels right for you."
Cheaper alternatives to Ozempic
If you’ve found yourself googling “what is a cheaper alternative to Ozempic?”, you’re not alone. When bought privately, weight loss medications are not only a big lifestyle commitment, but a financial one too.
Wegovy is often a more budget-friendly option compared to Mounjaro. Prices can vary depending on your supplier and dosage.
Other weight loss medications to consider
How do you know if Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Saxenda is the right Ozempic alternative for you? Let’s break down the most important factors: how often you take it and how effective it is:
Wegovy (Semaglutide)
- Dosage - once weekly
- Efficacy - people lose almost 15% of their starting weight in 68 weeks on average (though a recent trial showed weight loss of over 20% with a higher 7.2mg dose of Wegovy).
Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)
- Dosage - once weekly
- Efficacy - people lose an average of 22.5% of their starting body weight in 72 weeks
Saxenda (Liraglutide)
- Dosage - once daily
- Efficacy - research suggests an average 8% weight loss in 56 weeks
Still deciding? See our detailed Mounjaro vs Ozempic comparison for effectiveness and side-by-side results.
Weight loss pills and supplements
Can weight loss pills compete with injections—and are they effective Ozempic alternatives?
Weight loss pills like orlistat have long been available on prescription from your GP, or available to buy in lower doses over the counter from pharmacies. The upsides: it’s cheaper, easy to take, and is generally advised to only use for around three months. However, you aren’t likely to experience as much weight loss (around 5%) as injector-pen medications, and it can still cause gastrointestinal side effects.
Alternatively, there is some limited evidence for the natural supplement glucomannan. This dietary fibre, extracted from the roots of the konjac plant, can absorb up to 50 times its weight in water, which then forms a thick gel. This gel sits in your stomach and continues to absorb water and expand, potentially keeping you fuller for longer. There’s not that much research on it yet, but the small trials that have been done show promise.
If you’re considering taking a weight loss pill or supplement, it’s important to know which ones actually work based on scientific research.
The risks of Ozempic dupes
Unfortunately, it has been reported that some people in the UK have been hospitalised from fake Ozempic and Saxenda pens. These fake pens not only pose a risk due to contamination, inaccurate dosages, and a lack of clinical supervision, but some severe side effects reported indicated they may have contained insulin, rather than semaglutide. So, how can you make sure your weight loss injections are safe?
Firstly, always buy your medication from a reputable source. Any website that does not require a prescription from a qualified prescribing healthcare professional is not legitimate. You’ll be able to tell because all pharmacies, including online ones, must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and meet their standards. Second, always make sure you consult a healthcare clinician before taking weight loss injections, and check in with them throughout your course of medication.
Your weight management journey
Ultimately, it’s only safe to use weight loss drugs like Wegovy, Mounjaro and Saxenda if you meet the eligible criteria. This generally means that you need to have a BMI of over 30. Otherwise, taking these drugs could cause you to experience side effects more severely. So while your favourite Hollywood stars might be rumoured to be on Ozempic (or any other weight loss medications), it might not necessarily be safe for them to do so, if they weren’t living with obesity in the first place.
To avoid buying dangerous Ozempic dupes online, make sure you have a consultation with a licensed clinician. If you are looking for safe, sustainable ways to boost your weight loss journey, fill in Voy’s weight loss quiz to find out about the most effective options for you, and have a chat with one of our clinicians.
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¹⁰Willard, Francis S, et al. “Tirzepatide is an Imbalanced and Biased Dual GIP and GLP-1 Receptor Agonist.” JCI Insight, vol. 5, no. 17, 3 Sep. 2020, e140532, doi:10.1172/jci.insight.140532.
