Ozempic® (semaglutide) belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 agonists, which were first introduced in Canada in 2017 to treat type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 agonists are a unique class of medications that affect numerous hormones, which can increase insulin levels to control sugars and reduce appetite to promote weight loss.

All GLP-1 agonists are approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes; however, some have additional indications for weight management when used at doses two-to-three times higher than for diabetes control.

How do GLP-1 agonists work?

Since Ozempic has been shown to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attacks, or death in adults with known heart disease and diabetes, some individuals may be prescribed Ozempic if they struggle to manage their diabetes with lifestyle measures or first line drugs like Metformin. It’s common for individuals who use Ozempic for diabetes to slowly increase their weekly dose up to 1.0mg/week. Your health care provider might recommend a higher dose if you don’t respond to this initial dosage to manage your diabetes.

Common side effects

The most common side effect of GLP-1 agonists includes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which occur in up to 75 per cent of individuals. In rare circumstances, these medications have been linked to cases of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and gastroparesis (stalled or delayed emptying of the stomach).

Due to the widespread use of Ozempic over the last few years, the surge of gastroparesis cases has resulted in the addition of warnings on product labels and recent class action lawsuits against the manufacturer. GLP-1 agonists are not recommended for individuals with a family history of thyroid-related cancers.

Ozempic in the news

Ozempic has been making headlines for the better part of 2023 due to many Hollywood stars and reality TV personalities using it to lose weight. As such, many people who are looking for help with weight loss are looking to Ozempic as a potential solution.

While studies have shown that, when paired with lifestyle changes, Ozempic does help people lose weight, it is not the intended use of the drug.

Benefit coverage

Because GLP-1 agonists have not traditionally been used for weight management in Canada, health organization still categorize these drugs as addressing a lifestyle condition beyond their intended use for managing type 2 diabetes. Therefore, most provincial drug plans and benefit providers do not reimburse GLP-1 agonist medications for these purposes.

Because GLP-1 agonists have been prescribed for treatment of diabetes and have not traditionally been used for weight management in Canada, most provincial drug plans and benefit providers do not cover it for the latter. Ozempic is only covered for what is called “intended use”, which is the treatment of diabetes.

As such, ASEBP does not cover Ozempic for weight loss, even if prescribed by your health care provider at this time. As new weight management products are approved by Health Canada and as these drugs show a benefit in areas such as heart disease, ASEBP’s coverage for these products may expand once formal reviews are completed by Canada’s Drug and Health Technology Agency and other organizations.

When to speak with your health provider

When trying to lose weight, most experts recommend losing 1–2 pounds (0.45–0.9 kg) per week as a healthy and safe rate. Losing more than that is considered too fast and could put you at risk of health problems. Always consult with your health care provider or a registered dietitian if starting new treatments for weight management.

If you are currently taking a GLP-1 agonist for weight loss and are concerned about the amount of weight you are losing in a short timeframe, make an appointment to speak with your health care provider.

The information provided in this article is for personal use, reference, and education only. ASEBP does not provide medical advice. Before starting any medication or product, you should always consult with your pharmacist, health care provider, or call Alberta Health Link at 811.