How to Get Semaglutide for Weight Loss

Semaglutide is a prescription weight-loss medication, commonly sold under the brand name Ozempic, which works on the body’s GLP-1 receptors to help lower blood sugar levels. It’s also sold under the brand name Wegovy for weight loss.

In order to take semaglutide, you’ll have to first see a medical provider and get a prescription, which can be done online or in person. This article will break down everything you need to know about how to get semaglutide for weight loss. 

A Closer Look at Compounded Semaglutide

Semaglutide is marketed under the brand name Ozempic or Wegovy. But you can also get semaglutide as a compound medication. Compounded semaglutide is semaglutide that is made by a pharmacist. It contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy but it is made by a compounding pharmacist who include or exclude other ingredients. The pharmacist can also modify the strength of the medication. 

One benefit of compounded semaglutide is that it can be modified to fit specific needs. For example, if you have any allergies, then compounded semaglutide can be mixed to ensure that there are not any added ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction. Using compounded semaglutide also allows your provider to test different strengths of the drug to see what works best for you. Compounded semaglutide can sometimes cost less than brand-name drugs, depending on where you get it from.

It is important to keep in mind that compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved, and there have been dosing errors reported. For this reason, you should make sure to only acquire semaglutide from a trusted source and always do plenty of research before using it. One place to start is to look for a compounding pharmacy that is PCAB accredited. A facility registered through the FDA as an outsourcing facility is also a good place to start.

Semaglutide’s Impact on Weight Loss

Semaglutide has risen in popularity in recent years, given its proven weight loss benefits. In one study, people using semaglutide lost 15% of their body weight after 68 weeks.

The reason why semaglutide leads to weight loss is because of several ways it acts on the body. Semaglutide works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 or GLP-1. For this reason, semaglutide is categorized as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. By binding to the GLP-1 receptors in the body, semaglutide causes you to feel more satisfied and less hungry than you would when you are not taking the medication.

Another effect that semaglutide has on the body is slowing digestion. This means that food moves more slowly through your digestive tract when you are taking semaglutide. It causes you to eat smaller amounts and still feel full which can help with weight loss.

Necessary Qualifications for a Semaglutide Prescription

Because semaglutide is a prescription medication, you can’t just go get it at the drugstore without first seeing a doctor. In order to get prescribed semaglutide, you’ll have to first see a medical provider who can determine if you qualify for a semaglutide prescription. 

The criteria to get prescribed semaglutide for weight loss are as follows:

• Be living with overweight or obesity and have cardiovascular disease
• Be living with overweight and have a health condition associated with the weight, like high cholesterol or high blood pressure
• Be living with obesity

Before writing a prescription for semaglutide, your doctor is also going to make sure you don’t have any other health issues that exclude you from being able to take it. As with any medication, there are risks associated with taking semaglutide and it is not safe for everyone. 

Reasons your doctor might tell you that you cannot take semaglutide are listed below.

• Having medullary thyroid carcinoma or having a family history of this condition
• Having multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• Having an allergy to semaglutide or a history of allergic reactions to similar types of drugs
• Being pregnant or having plans to get pregnant soon
• Being on other GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs

Obtaining Semaglutide Online or In-Person

To get a semaglutide prescription, you’ll have to first meet with a doctor or other healthcare provider. This can be done in person or online. Some may find it more convenient to use an online service to get a semaglutide prescription. This may allow for less of a wait to see a provider and doesn’t require you to leave your home. However, others may prefer an in-person visit. In-person visits can be beneficial if you already are established with a healthcare professional who knows your medical history. 

How to get a Semaglutide prescription online

To get a semaglutide prescription online, you’ll first have to find a reliable online pharmacy service. Ahara offers a convenient place where you can schedule your visit with a provider and get your weight loss drugs from our website once your prescription is active. We offer additional benefits like nutrition coaching to ensure you succeed in your weight loss journey.

Once you find the right website for getting a semaglutide prescription online, you will schedule your first virtual doctor’s visit. During this time you will have a call or video call with an online provider. They will talk with you about your weight loss goals as well as your current health and medical history. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about the drug and any potential side effects you may experience.

If your doctor decides that you are a good candidate for semaglutide, they will write the prescription. You can then easily order your semaglutide through our website or you can take the prescription to a local pharmacy to have it filled. 

How to get a semaglutide prescription in person 

Getting a semaglutide prescription in person will require you to schedule a visit with a doctor. If you already have a primary care doctor, then you can go ahead and make an appointment with who you regularly see. 

If not, you’ll need to find a primary care provider and make an appointment. In-person appointments sometimes have to be scheduled out several weeks or even months depending on how busy the provider is. 

Once it is time for your appointment, you will go to your provider's office to see them. During this visit, they will perform a physical assessment, looking at your height, weight, and vital signs. They will then talk with you about your weight loss goals and health history, determining if you are a good candidate for semaglutide. If everything checks out, they will write a semaglutide prescription which can be used to get the medication from a pharmacy or by ordering it online. 

How to prepare for your visit

During your meeting with your provider, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and talk about your health. It is important to share everything you know about your health and family history during this time. For this reason, you should take some time to prepare ahead of time before your visit takes place. 

You’ll want to make sure you have all of your current medications written down if you are already taking any. You should also make sure to be aware of any current or past medical conditions you currently have—especially if you have any cancers, thyroid issues, kidney, gallbladder, or pancreas issues. Your doctor will need to know all about your health history to best determine if you are a good candidate for semaglutide so you need to provide them with as much information as possible.

Also, take some time to research semaglutide medications yourself, especially looking into any potential side effects. Write down any questions you have so you can get the most out of your visit and no questions go unaddressed. Common side effects of semaglutide include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea or Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Headache

How to Lower the Cost of a Semaglutide Prescription

Branded semaglutide is not cheap and it isn’t always covered by insurance. Compounded semaglutide can be less expensive than branded semaglutide without insurance. But if branded semaglutide is covered by your insurance, than compounded semaglutide may cost more out-of-pocket.

Here are some tips on how you can save money when buying semaglutide for weight loss. 

• Using an HSA or FSA. If you have a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account, you can use these funds to cover the cost of Semaglutide. 
• Savings cards. The manufacturer of branded semaglutide, offers a copay card.  If you qualify, it could reduce your copays.
• Online membership programs. If you get your semaglutide through an online membership program like Ahara you’ll be able to save some serious money. With Ahara, you will be able to cover the cost of your ongoing provider visits as well as access to a registered dietitian to help you with your weight loss journey. 

The average cost of semaglutide without insurance is around $1,000 to $1,200 per month. But through Ahara, you can expect to pay $195 for your first month and then $255 per month after that—this is a whopping 76.8% savings compared to the average monthly cost. 

Our all-inclusive weight loss program is an affordable and convenient solution to getting prescription weight loss medications. 

An Overview of Semaglutide: Benefits and Alternatives

Semaglutide offers the benefit of being a proven solution for weight loss. There may be some drawbacks to taking it though, such as the cost of branded options and the potential for negative side effects. As a reminder, semaglutide offered by Ahara is significantly cheaper than brand alternatives. But if you choose not to take semaglutide, alternatives include tirzepatide or dulaglutide.  

A skilled healthcare provider can help you navigate everything to do with prescription weight loss medications in order to find the best option for you. When you speak with your provider about weight loss medications, make sure to share any concerns you have and get all of your questions answered before moving forward. 

Using Ahara to get your prescription weight loss medications is a convenient and affordable option. Our service doesn’t just get you your weight loss medications, but it also offers a convenient telehealth service and ongoing nutritional support to help you meet your goals. 

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