How Much Weight Can You Lose On Ozempic?
If you are struggling to lose weight with diet and exercise alone, and think that a medicated programme may help you reach your goals, you’re likely to want to know as much information about the various options available to you. Some of the main topics on your agenda will be what kind of results you could expect to see and what your journey might be like on each medication.
Ozempic is a brand name that may have appeared in your research. While its active ingredient can support weight loss, the medication is not licensed for this purpose in the UK. Instead, Wegovy is the preferred option for treating obesity and may deliver better results than Ozempic.
The question is, how much weight can you lose on Ozempic, and why might Wegovy be a better option? Here’s everything you need to know.
START YOUR WEIGHT LOSS CONSULTATION TODAY
How Does Ozempic Help You Lose Weight?
Ozempic contains the active ingredient semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. A GLP-1 agonist mimics the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1 to lower blood glucose levels and, in some cases, promote weight loss by promoting insulin secretion, reducing appetite, and slowing gastric emptying.
The medication can support weight loss by working in several ways:
- Slowing down how fast food travels through your digestive system
- Helping you feel fuller for longer
- Suppressing your appetite
- Reducing the amount of food you eat
Although technically safe to use as an obesity treatment, Ozempic is not licensed for this purpose in the UK. Instead, it’s recommended to use Wegovy, which has the same active ingredient and is more effective for weight loss. You should only use Ozempic for type 2 diabetes.
How Quickly Do You Lose Weight on Ozempic?
Weight loss with Ozempic is gradual and may take several months, but many people may notice steady weight changes within the first 12 weeks of treatment. However, the rate at which you lose weight with Ozempic depends on several factors, including the dosage, your lifestyle, and your body's response to semaglutide.
Ozempic is available only off-label for weight loss, a practice that has largely been discontinued due to medication shortages. Wegovy is the recommended semaglutide-containing weight loss injection because it has been rigorously tested for safety and efficacy for this purpose.
How Much Weight Do You Lose on Ozempic?
Clinical trial data show that people who use Ozempic can expect to lose 5-15% of their starting body weight, with greater results after 6-12 months. However, results may vary depending on dose, duration of use, baseline weight, and lifestyle changes.
Because Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes, not obesity, weight loss results may differ from those observed in Wegovy trials. In this section, we’ll examine how much weight you could lose on Ozempic over different periods of time and how this compares to Wegovy.
How Much Weight Can You Lose on Ozempic in a Week?
In the first week, weight loss is likely to be modest as you will start Ozempic on the lowest dose. This allows the body to acclimate to the active ingredient, reducing the risk of adverse effects. You may notice small changes, like a reduced appetite or fewer cravings, rather than weight loss. The NHS recommends a safe rate of weight loss of between 0.5 and 1kg per week, with or without weight loss medication.
How Much Weight Can I Lose on Ozempic in a Month?
In the SUSTAIN 1 trial, after 4 weeks on Ozempic 0.5 mg or 1 mg weekly, the average weight loss is 1-1.5 kg. These are subtle losses and are in line with the recommended safe rate of weight loss.
How Much Weight Can I Lose on Ozempic in 3 Months?
In Ozempic trials, the average weight loss after 12 weeks is approximately 3 kg with weekly doses of 0.5 or 1 mg. This compares with an average change in body weight of almost 6%, equivalent to 4 kg, in a cohort study using Wegovy.
How Much Weight Can I Lose on Ozempic in 6 Months?
In the same Wegovy cohort study, the average 6-month weight loss was 10.9%. For Ozempic, the average weight loss after 23 weeks was around 4 kg on the 1mg weekly dose.
How Much Weight Can You Lose on Ozempic in a Year?
SUSTAIN 2 was the next trial in the Ozempic SUSTAIN trials and ran for 56 weeks. After 56 weeks, the average weight loss on Ozempic 0.5 mg was 4.3 kg and 6.1 kg with the 1 mg dose.
Comparing Weight Loss on Ozempic vs Wegovy
Although Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, only Wegovy is licensed for weight loss in the UK. It is available in higher maintenance doses (2.4 mg and 7.2 mg) than Ozempic, which has been rigorously studied for safety and effectiveness. It also makes Wegovy more effective for weight loss than Ozempic.
Wegovy
- Approved Weight Loss treatment
- Weekly injection
- Reduces risk of heart attack & stroke
Here’s how weight loss can look on Ozempic and Wegovy:
What is the Maximum Dose of Ozempic for Weight Loss?
The maximum Ozempic dose available is 2 mg per week. This is also known as the maintenance dose and is gradually increased over several weeks to allow your body to acclimate to the active ingredient. This is different to Wegovy, which has a maximum maintenance dose of 7.2 mg per week.
Although Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active ingredient, only Wegovy is licensed for weight loss in the UK. This is why it is available at a much higher strength because its safety and efficacy have been tested for weight loss.
How to Maximise Weight Loss with Medication
Eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in whole foods and low in fat, sugar, and calories is the most effective way to lose weight, regardless of any weight loss medication. Getting regular exercise is also important, with the NHS stating that adults aged 19 to 64 should try to:
- Complete at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week
- Do some strength-based activities, working all the major muscle groups, at least twice a week
- Spread the exercise out across 4 or 5 days or every day
- Minimise the time spent sitting or lying down by breaking up long periods of inactivity with some exercise or movement
If you are eligible for weight loss injections, such as Wegovy or Mounjaro, it is important to use them exactly as prescribed. This will help to lower the risk of side effects. It's also important that you follow proper storage guidelines to prolong the life and effectiveness of your medication.
For more information on improving results from your treatment, we’ve outlined 5 ways to increase weight loss with Wegovy and 10 tips and tricks for Mounjaro on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
With so many choices available when it comes to weight loss medications, it can be difficult to know which is the right one for you. Here, we take the stress out of choosing by answering the most common questions about Ozempic, weight loss, and how it compares to other popular injections.
How Much Weight Can You Lose on 1mg of Ozempic?
In one clinical trial, after 30 weeks on a 1mg per week dose of Ozempic, the average weight loss was 4.5 kg. However, the amount you can lose will depend on several factors, including how your body responds to the medication and your lifestyle.
How to Obtain Ozempic for Weight Loss
Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes in the UK, so it is not available to treat obesity. Alternatively, you can obtain Wegovy for weight loss in the UK; it works in the same way as Ozempic but is approved for weight management. It is available in higher doses of semaglutide, making it more effective for weight loss.
Which is Better for Weight Loss: Ozempic or Saxenda?
Saxenda is no longer available; however, generic liraglutide, marketed as Nevolat, is available for weight loss. Nevolat is a daily weight loss injection that, at the highest dose, can result in an average weight loss of 8% or 8.4 kg over 56 weeks. This compares with an average weight loss of 4.53 kg with 1mg of Ozempic over 30 weeks.
Nevolat is approved for weight loss, whereas Ozempic is not. If you are seeking a dedicated weight loss medication, Nevolat may be a better option.
Is Mounjaro Better than Ozempic for Weight Loss?
Yes, Mounjaro is better than Ozempic for weight loss. It is a dual agonist which mimics two digestive hormones, GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), to slow digestion and regulate appetite. At the maximum Mounjaro dose, the average weight loss after 72 weeks is 22.5%.
Mounjaro
- Approved Weight Loss Treatment
- Suitable for adults with a BMI of +30kg/m²
- Pre-filled injection pen
Essential Weight Loss Support from Prescription Doctor
If you think losing weight through a medicated consultation programme might help you achieve your goals, choosing the right partner for your journey is just as important as getting the right treatment. This is where Prescription Doctor comes in.
Since 2013, we’ve guided countless individuals through the process, and we’re ready to do the same for you. Not only do we offer a range of licensed weight loss treatments, but we also help you make an informed decision about which one is most suitable for your circumstances. We do this by asking you a few questions on an online form about your medical history and any other medications you may be taking.
Our experienced clinicians are available to answer any questions you may have about your treatment plan and will regularly check in with you to monitor your progress and ensure everything is working as expected. We are with you for the entire journey.
Ready to get started? Begin a consultation with Prescription Doctor today.
Sources
- EMC (2026): Wegovy 0.25 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in a pre-filled pen.
- EMC (2025): Mounjaro KwikPen 2.5mg solution for injection in a pre-filled pen.
- EMC (2025): Nevolat 6 mg/ml solution for injection in a pre-filled pen.
- EMC (2025): Ozempic 0.5 mg solution for injection in a pre-filled pen.
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (2026): Medicines regulator approves up to 7.2mg dose of semaglutide (Wegovy) for patients with obesity only.
- NEJM (2021): Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity.
- NHS (2023): Tips to help you lose weight.
- Novo Nordisk (2026): Ozempic® (semaglutide injection) SUSTAIN trials.
- The Lancet (2017): Efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide monotherapy versus placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN 1): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multinational, multicentre phase 3a trial.
- The Lancet (2017): Efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide versus once-daily sitagliptin as an add-on to metformin, thiazolidinediones, or both, in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN 2): a 56-week, double-blind, phase 3a, randomised trial.
- JAMA (2022): Weight Loss Outcomes Associated With Semaglutide Treatment for Patients With Overweight or Obesity.
- PubMed (2024): Semaglutide 2.4 mg clinical outcomes in patients with obesity or overweight in a real‐world setting.
- Novo Nordisk: Is the Wegovy Pen Right for Me?
Authored By
Leanne Edermaniger
Medical Content WriterPublished on: 27/02/2025 Re-Published on: 11/02/2026
Reviewed By
Mohamed Imran Lakhi
MPharm - Lead PharmacistReviewed on: 11/02/2026
How We Are Regulated
Payment Options
© 2013 - 2026 Al Muhsineen Limited. All Rights Reserved. Registered Pharmacy: 34 Halliwell Road, Bolton BL1 8RL. Registered Office: 254 First Floor, Shearbrow, Blackburn, England, BB1 8DS
Patient Login
Don't have an account?
Your account will be automatically created after placing your first order.