----|------|---------| | 1-4 | 0.25mg | Introduction, minimize side effects | | 5-8 | 0.5mg | Building therapeutic effect | | 9+ | 1.0mg | Maintenance for most | | 9+ | 2.0mg | Maximum diabetes dose (optional) |
Administration: Once weekly injection, same day each week. Inject subcutaneously in stomach, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites.
Timing: Any time of day, with or without food. Consistency matters more than specific timing.
Most men see significant effects at 1mg. The 2mg dose provides additional blood sugar control but only modestly more weight loss.
Note: If weight loss is the primary goal, Wegovy at 2.4mg is the FDA-approved option. Ozempic is technically off-label for weight loss.
Expected Results for Men
Weight loss: - Average: 10-15% of body weight at 1-2mg doses - Timeline: Most loss occurs in first 6-12 months, then plateaus - Wegovy (2.4mg) produces 15-17% average weight loss
Testosterone: - ENDO 2025: 77% of obese men normalized testosterone on GLP-1s - Average increase: 312 → 368 ng/dL - Timeline: Significant improvement typically at 6-12+ months
Other outcomes: - A1C reduction: 1-2 percentage points - Blood pressure: Modest reduction - Cardiovascular: 20% event reduction (SELECT trial data is with Wegovy, but mechanism is the same)
Side Effects
The same side effect profile as other GLP-1s:
Common (>10%): - Nausea (44%) - Diarrhea (30%) - Vomiting (25%) - Constipation (24%) - Abdominal pain
Usually temporary: These typically improve after 2-4 weeks at each dose level.
Management strategies: - Eat smaller meals - Avoid high-fat foods initially - Stay hydrated - Use ginger for nausea - Don't lie down after eating
Serious (rare): - Pancreatitis - Gallbladder issues - Thyroid concerns (boxed warning, based on rodent studies)
When to seek help: Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, signs of allergic reaction.
Ozempic vs. Wegovy: Which for Men?
Both are semaglutide. The differences:
| Factor | Ozempic | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Approved for | Diabetes | Weight loss |
| Max dose | 2mg | 2.4mg |
| Insurance | Often covered for diabetes | Often NOT covered |
| Cost | ~$900-1,000/month retail | ~$1,300-1,400/month retail |
Strategy: If you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, Ozempic may be easier to get covered. If you're pursuing weight loss indication, Wegovy is the "correct" product but often harder to get insurance approval.
Many men start on Ozempic via diabetes indication (easier coverage) and stay there even if their primary goal is weight loss.
Cost and Access
Retail pricing: $900-1,000/month
With commercial insurance: Often covered for diabetes indication with copays of $25-150/month
Savings card: Novo Nordisk offers a savings card reducing copays to as low as $25/month for eligible patients with commercial insurance
Medicare: Covered for diabetes (not weight loss) through Part D
Self-pay options: Some telehealth providers offer semaglutide at lower prices through compounding pharmacies, though this has become complicated with FDA regulatory changes in 2025.
Getting a Prescription
Through your doctor: If you have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, your PCP or endocrinologist can prescribe Ozempic relatively easily. For off-label weight loss use, some physicians are willing, others are not.
Through telehealth: Many telehealth providers prescribe semaglutide for weight management. The process typically takes 24-72 hours from signup to prescription.
Requirements: - BMI ≥30, or BMI ≥27 with metabolic condition - Medical history review - Virtual consultation - No contraindications (thyroid cancer history, MEN2, pancreatitis history)
Male-Specific Considerations
Testosterone: As covered extensively elsewhere on this site, Ozempic can help normalize testosterone by reducing the visceral fat that suppresses natural production.
Erectile function: Studies show improvement in erectile function scores for men with diabetes/obesity on GLP-1s. Mechanism: improved vascular health, testosterone recovery, weight loss.
Muscle loss: Like all GLP-1s, Ozempic causes some lean mass loss during weight loss. Men should: - Maintain protein intake (1.2-1.6g/kg body weight) - Continue resistance training - Avoid extreme caloric restriction
Fertility: Unlike TRT, Ozempic preserves (and may improve) fertility. Safe to use while trying to conceive.
Ozempic vs. Mounjaro/Zepbound
The other major comparison:
Ozempic (semaglutide): - Pure GLP-1 agonist - ~15% weight loss - Strong cardiovascular outcome data (SELECT trial) - Longer track record
Mounjaro/Zepbound (tirzepatide): - Dual GLP-1/GIP agonist - ~20-22% weight loss - Sleep apnea approval (Zepbound) - Cardiovascular trial ongoing
For maximum weight loss: Tirzepatide wins. For proven cardiovascular protection: Semaglutide has the data.
What to Expect: Timeline
Week 1: First injection. May notice mild appetite change. Possible mild nausea.
Weeks 2-4: Appetite suppression becomes more noticeable. Portions naturally decrease.
Month 2-3: Visible weight loss beginning. Energy often improving.
Months 3-6: Significant weight loss. Metabolic markers improving.
Months 6-12: Peak weight loss. Testosterone likely improving if significantly overweight at baseline.
Year 1+: Maintenance phase. Weight stabilizes at new baseline.
The Bottom Line
Ozempic is semaglutide — the same medication as Wegovy, just at a lower maximum dose and approved for diabetes rather than weight loss.
For men, it offers: - Substantial weight loss - Testosterone improvement via fat loss - Cardiovascular protection - Fertility preservation - Improved erectile function
Whether you use Ozempic (diabetes indication) or Wegovy (weight loss indication) often comes down to insurance coverage and access rather than clinical difference.
The mechanism is the same. The benefits for men are the same. The question is which version you can get.
Related Articles: - Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide: Which Is Better for Men? - Wegovy for Men: Benefits and What to Expect - GLP-1 Medications for Men: The Complete 2026 Guide
Last updated: January 2026
Medical disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.