Heather, 41, remembers the day her doctor told her about Ozempic. , confides this Florida behavior analyst to Elle magazine. At the time, she had not yet lost 16 kilos or left the prediabetes zone.
Since then, she has been part of this generation of patients for whom a diabetes medication has become a slimming solution. Demand has exploded, creating shortages and queues, with weekly injections that can cost around $1,000 per month (around $920).
Why is everyone talking about Ozempic knockoffs?
These treatments belong to the family of GLP-1 agonists, which mimic a hormone responsible for signaling satiety and controlling blood sugar levels. Appetite decreases, blood sugar levels stabilize and the risk of diabetes, heart, kidney or liver disease decreases.
In the United States, more than 40% of adults are obese and nearly 15% diabetic, recalls Elle. Researchers estimate that better access to these molecules could prevent more than 42,000 deaths per year. A colossal issue which explains the race for Ozempic imitations.
GLP-1 pills and new drugs: the future of Ozempic imitations
In a study cited by Elle, Ozempic users lost about 6% of their weight in three months. An experimental pill from Novo Nordisk already shows 10 to 13% loss over the same period, while orforglipron, a daily tablet developed by Eli Lilly, has allowed up to almost 15% loss in eight months.
Another advantage is the pill form. , summarizes endocrinologist Daniel Drucker in Elle. Today, a month of injectable treatment like Ozempic or Mounjaro can cost almost $1,000 (around $920), while pills could cost less than $100 (around $90).
Between validated drugs and fake dupes: where are these imitations located?
These molecules remain powerful drugs, with mainly digestive side effects and sometimes weight gain upon stopping. Laboratories are already working on even more powerful double and triple agonists. For Janice Jin Hwang, endocrinologist, .
Meanwhile, supplements sold online bill themselves as “Nature’s Ozempic” even though they have not shown comparable effectiveness in studies, and may pose poorly understood risks. For Heather, these official treatments mainly brought a form of relief: .
What are Ozempic knockoffs?
These are the other GLP-1 drugs, often in pills, which use the principle of Ozempic.
Are these pills more effective than Ozempic?
A few studies suggest more weight loss, but the data remains limited and requires medical advice.
Are ‘Nature’s Ozempic’ supplements an alternative?
No, they have not shown comparable effectiveness to GLP-1 drugs and may cause unanticipated side effects.
