What is similar to Ozempic over-the-counter? Currently, Alli is the only over-the-counter medication FDA-approved to help with weight loss. Other natural substitutes are available for purchase. However, those have not undergone approved testing for safety and weight loss and are not regulated or approved by the FDA.
Are there any over-the-counter (OTC) Ozempic alternatives? Medications that work like Ozempic are only available with a prescription. But you may see OTC supplements, such as berberine, being promoted as natural Ozempic alternatives for weight loss.
Both Rybelsus and Ozempic contain the same active drug (semaglutide). Rybelsus comes as an oral tablet that you'll likely take once per day. Ozempic is given as a subcutaneous injection that you'll likely give yourself once a week.
Ozempic helps with weight loss by activating GLP-1 receptors to reduce hunger. High-protein and fiber-rich foods like avocados, chia seeds, oats, legumes, eggs, and nuts can mimic its effects. These natural alternatives help regulate blood sugar levels and promote satiety similar to the drug.
The verdict? Save your cinnamon for the kitchen. Since clinical research doesn't clearly support using cinnamon to treat any health condition, this spice is not a natural substitute for Ozempic or other similar prescription medications.
Why Blueberries Are Better Than Ozempic:1. No Side Effects: Unlike Ozempic, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues, blueberries provide their benefits without side effects. They are a safe, whole-food option for long-term use.
Regular Exercise and Fitness Routines
In addition to her dietary changes, Kelly incorporated regular exercise into her daily routine. Her workout regimen included a mix of cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises, each of which contributed to her overall fitness and weight loss success.
Pregnancy: It's likely unsafe to take berberine by mouth if you are pregnant. Berberine can cross the placenta and might cause harm to the fetus. Kernicterus, a type of brain damage, has developed in newborn infants exposed to berberine. Breast-feeding: It's likely unsafe to take berberine if you are breast-feeding.
After taking Ozempic® for six weeks
By this point, you'll have started the 0.5 mg dose and will likely be seeing some changes. In the same two trials mentioned above, between weeks four and eight at 0.5 mg there was an average weight reduction of around 2%, meaning that by week eight the total loss was about 4%.
Berberine is safe to take every day. Still, it's best to always talk with your health care provider before trying berberine or other supplements. Berberine has a half-life of several hours, so it doesn't last in your system very long.
Ozempic face is a colloquial term, not a medically recognized condition. It describes the facial changes that can accompany rapid weight loss when using medications like Ozempic or another version of the same drug (generic name semaglutide) FDA-approved for weight-loss treatment.
The only over-the-counter weight-loss product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is orlistat (Alli). It is half as strong as prescription orlistat (Xenical). It blocks the body from taking in some of the fat from foods you eat. Many other over-the-counter products claim to help with weight loss.
The recommended berberine dosage for weight loss is 500 mg, taken 2–3 times per day with meals. Dividing the dosage throughout the day ensures steady levels of berberine in your bloodstream, which helps maintain its metabolic effects.
Despite the hype — and many potential health benefits — green tea will not deliver results similar to Ozempic. Green tea is rich in bioactive compounds, antioxidants, and nutrients, like polyphenols, which can be protective against inflammation and reduce the risk of cancer.
People taking berberine can expect to lose about four or five pounds over one to three months, says Mir Ali, MD, a bariatric surgeon and medical director of the MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.
Berberine is a substance found in a variety of plants, including goldenseal, barberry, Oregon grape, and others. Plants containing berberine have a long history of use in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.
There's no real evidence to show that berberine is the equivalent of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. “It was shown to have some modest amount of effect on weight loss, but it's not the same effect as the prescribed medications," Ali added.
McCarthy lost weight through a combination of a high-protein diet and regular exercise, specifically Piloxing. She also focused on adopting a healthier mindset rather than turning to extreme diets or surgery.
In a recent episode of "The Oprah Podcast", she said that she took a GLP-1 agonist, which is a specific type of weight-loss medication. Some brand name GLP-1s include Ozempic and Trulicity — though Winfrey hasn't revealed a specific brand.
An analysis of 143 studies revealed that phentermine-topiramate and GLP-1 receptor agonists (like liraglutide and semaglutide) are among the most effective medications for reducing weight in people with obesity. The typical body weight reduction with these medications is 6% to 11%.
Recent study findings suggest that blueberries may influence genes which regulate fat-burning and storage, helping reduce abdominal fat and lower cholesterol. When combined with a low-fat diet, blueberries might also lower triglycerides and improve blood sugar levels, each benefits of a comprehensive weight loss plan.
Can you eat eggs on Ozempic? Yes, eggs are among nutrient-dense foods that become more important as patients who take anti-obesity medications eat less, the Obesity study authors note.