Part of a CtWatchdog series on the high cost of drugs and medicine in the United States
There is good news for the millions of people who want to take Ozempic – the hot selling diabetes and weight loss drug from Danish drug firm Novo Nordisk – as it is again available in many pharmacies.
Americans who take the once-a-week injection and those who want to start can now obtain the medication.
The once-a-week injection, originally invented to fight Type 2 diabetes, has been unavailable because of huge demand from those who want to use it for its side-effect – losing weight – as well as manufacturing issues.
The medication is expensive – about $1,000 – for a four-week supply. Even using GoodRx, the cost is only slightly less. Many insurance companies won’t cover the medication since it is frequently only used to lose weight, what they consider is a cosmetic procedure.
The company does provide the medication much cheaper for low-income patients.
Ozempic is one of three injections developed over the past few years that will help reduce weight. All have been in short supply. There is also a medication – daily pills – which helps manage blood sugar levels and reduce weight.
As with all medications – even aspirin – there are side effects and potential serious health effects. We will discuss that further as well as how the medications work.
And, this is really important, if you stop taking any of these medications, you will PUT THE WEIGHT BACK ON – something that is not well publicized.
Save By Buying From Canada
For those who are forced to pay full price or have high deductibles, there is an alternative that will save hundreds of dollars – buying through Canadian internet pharmacies that specialize in serving Americans.
They are the same medications, but because Canada has price controls, it is a lot cheaper. While technically illegal for Americans to purchase medicine from Canada, our government looks the other way as long as you are only purchasing a maximum of three months supply.
I have been purchasing brand-name medicines from Canada for many years – saving as much as 90 percent on some.
For instance, at BuyCanadianInsulin.com, Ozempic costs $340 – plus shipping in special ice-cold containers – for a four week supply. Because of the shortage in Canada, you can only purchase one four-week pen at a time from this company.
Through Canadadrugsdirect, you can purchase up to two pens for $390 a pen, with a 10 percent coupon for the purchase of the first pen. Shipping is included.
I have purchased Ozempic from both companies without any issues. In full disclosure, I own 300 shares of Novo Nordisk, which sells three of the four diabetes and weight reduction medications. The fourth is Eli Lilly, whose drug – Mounjaro – is the most potent and is made specially for the obese. I own 200 shares of the company.
Personal Experience
My doctor wanted me to reduce my weight and to reduce my A1C as I am pre-diabetic.
RYBELSUS ALTERNATIVE
He first prescribed Rybelsus, which has the same chemical makeup as Ozempic, but even its highest dose is less powerful.
With Rybelsus – which is cheaper at $830 for a 90-day supply through Canada – I lost 10 percent of my body-weight – and my A1C dropped by close to 7 percent.
At the same time, I increased my exercise and drastically cut back on sugar and processed food. To get the full effect, those steps should be taken by everyone. Rybelsus is covered by many insurance companies and by most Medicare plans.
I switched to Ozempic for the convenience of having to give myself only one injection (the needle is so small it’s hard to even see) a week, instead of taking daily tablets. You can’t drink or eat anything for 30 minutes after taking the pill.
I lost a couple of more pounds with Ozempic using 1mg a week.
Ozempic is available in 2mg, 4mg and 8mg pens. Only the 2 and 4 mg pens are available now in Canada.
I was able to purchase an 8mg pen through my local pharmacy earlier this month, with my Medicare drug part D covering more than half the American price. That pen will last for eight weeks as I continue to only use 1mg a week.
Interestingly enough, the cost of all sizes of Rybelsus and Ozempic are the same. So it makes sense to have your doctor prescribe a larger dose. The manufacturer says you aren’t supposed to split the pills but I have always disregarded such cautions. There is no such warning for the pens. Just keep in mind that the pens need to be refrigerated until ready for use.
Once its out of the refrigerator it has a 56-day lifespan.
HOW IT WORKS
Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus all use semaglutide as their key ingredient.
For weight loss, Wegovy is the most powerful as it contains the highest amount of semaglutide. The company said it is now available in many pharmacies. I have not found it in Canada.
Mounjaro, which is considered by some scientists as the most effective medication for those who are obese, has shown to reduce weight by as much as 22 percent in its highest dose. And it is again available in many U.S. pharmacies.
Drugs.com says:
- Both Mounjaro, from Eli Lilly, and Ozempic, from Novo Nordisk, are currently approved to help control blood glucose (sugar) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, in addition to diet and exercise.
- Ozempic is also approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (like a stroke or heart attack) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease.
- Wegovy, from Novo Nordisk, is approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise for chronic weight management in adults and teens.
The medications work two ways to reduce your desire to eat a large amount and unhealthy food. First, they slow down how fast food travels through the digestive track, and they also send a message to your brain signalling that you are full.
Eating fried or sugary food or more than small portions will also result in kicking in side effects like nausea.
Side Effects
For several weeks after starting Rybelsus I had gastrointestinal issues: constipation, stomach pain and some nausea. Most of the issues went away, with the exception of sometimes having constipation.
Not unusual.
“Gastrointestinal (digestive tract) side effects are the most common side effects reported in at least 5% of patients with these medications,” says drugs.com.
“Nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, indigestion (dyspepsia), and stomach (abdominal) pain have been reported. In some patients, gastrointestinal side effects can be severe enough to lead to treatment discontinuation.
“The labeling carries a Boxed Warning for possible thyroid tumors, including cancer, which has been seen in animal studies. Do not use Mounjaro if you or anyone in your family has a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Discuss this further with your healthcare provider.”
Also, Canpharm.com in Canada warns:
Mounjaro side effects may occur, and some users may experience dizziness or light-headedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability, or mood changes, sweating, shakiness, weakness, headache, elevated heartbeat, or feeling jittery. If Mounjaro side effects are seen you may want to stop use and speak to your doctor again regarding diabetes treatment medication alternatives.
I have not found a Canadian internet pharmacy that sells Mounjaro, but Ely Lilly says the medication is now available in many American pharmacies.
