Anonymous wrote:This thread is very informative.

Question: Is it likely that Ozempic would be prescribed for someone who is prediabetic? According to my latest bloodwork, I am in that category. Rather than going through Callibrate, I’m wondering if my primary doctor could prescribe it (which could then be covered by insurance). I need to lose 30 lbs.

Or do you have to actually have diabetes to get it prescribed?
Thanks.

Your primary care doctor can prescribe it, but insurance may not pay for it if you aren’t diabetic.

This thread is very informative.

Question: Is it likely that Ozempic would be prescribed for someone who is prediabetic? According to my latest bloodwork, I am in that category. Rather than going through Callibrate, I’m wondering if my primary doctor could prescribe it (which could then be covered by insurance). I need to lose 30 lbs.

Or do you have to actually have diabetes to get it prescribed?
Thanks.

Ozempic was just approved at the higher dose of 2.0 so should really be the same as Wegovy soon...

https://www.empr.com/home/news/ozempic-2mg-dose-approved-to-provide-additional-glycemic-control-in-type-2-diabetes/

Ozempic is the same medication albeit at a lower dose.

I just read in the Wagovy website that they are not making medication at the moment for anyone at low levels. Basically they don’t have enough supply for their current patients so they don’t want any docs to prescribe the low level starter meds for new patients. They expect it to be back to full supply by the second half of 2022. What the? What’s the alternative then?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much does it cost if insurance denies? Might still be worth it if under $1000/month if it is for a limited time.

For weight maintenance, it is likely a lifelong drug.

This. Studies showed that participants gained all the weight back once they stopped the medication. Right now I am getting my medication from a weight loss center, soon I will have to transition to my endocrinologist and get the prescription through her and my insurance. I plan to take the medication for as long as I can to maintain my weight loss (53 pounds and still going).

Anonymous wrote:How much does it cost if insurance denies? Might still be worth it if under $1000/month if it is for a limited time.

For weight maintenance, it is likely a lifelong drug.

My primary care physician prescribed Wegovy and it was unaffordable ($1600 per month--insurance covered $200 of that only). I joined Calibrate. They have a whole team focused on this (my primary doc doesn't). They too prescribed Wegovy and same outcome. They then prescribed Metformin (I pay like $5 per month) and then Ozempic ($25 per month). I don't have diabetes. My primary care doctor wouldn't prescribe the diabetes medication for weight loss (that is called off label and my doc wouldn't do it but some will). So for me Calibrate was the key and Calibrate isn't solely about medication. I started Calibrate in late Jan, Ozempic on 2/9 and have lost 16 lbs thus far and am learning all kinds of new habits, recipes, etc. The 14 day metabolic reset challenge was hard but a real eye opener. And I only learned of Calibrate through DCUM. This is not an ad. A regular person going through the same stuff as many others. I am glad I saw this string (it was a recent topic about a week after being unable to afford the Wegovy medication prescribed by my primary doctor). I would say start with your doctor but if that does not work due to insurance then reach out to Calibrate (or start with the latter if you're looking for more support, beyond medication).

How much does it cost if insurance denies? Might still be worth it if under $1000/month if it is for a limited time.

Wegovy is a non-starter for my insurance.

Ozempic is only with a T2 diabetes diagnosis and even then I’ll have to try metformin before they will cover Ozempic. Thinking about fudging a fasting blood glucose test to see if that will get them to cover it. I’m practically pre-diabetic anyway.

Anonymous wrote:I am so grateful for this list. I have been searching for things to say to my PCP and this is helping quite a bit, so thank you to everyone who contributed. I am wondering if anyone has any current info about supply at the low doses, and also whether insurance is starting more to pay for this? I know it depends, but anyone noticing trends?

Many commercial insurances will cover Wegovy with pre-authorization for those over a certain BMI and/or those with metabolic syndromes. Some will cover Ozempic but not Wegovy.

I am so grateful for this list. I have been searching for things to say to my PCP and this is helping quite a bit, so thank you to everyone who contributed. I am wondering if anyone has any current info about supply at the low doses, and also whether insurance is starting more to pay for this? I know it depends, but anyone noticing trends?

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone speak to the safety profile of these drugs? Years ago I list of ton of weight in Meridia and low and behold it got pulled from the market for causing heart problems and stroke. I’ve always been overweight bordering on obese and fear my metabolism is so far gone that diet and exercise alone will never be more than minimally effective. At the same time, all of my other health markers are very good. I’d really like to have this weight gone and not struggle every day keeping my food at the 1400 calories I get to eat (with exercise). At the same time, I don’t want to potentially harm myself or damage my organs for vanity’s sake. Appreciate if anyone can share what Calibrate or their PCP has told them.

It’s new for weight loss. My guess is that if there are issues, it will have to do with thyroid or pancreas. However, it is not a new drug and has been used extensively for diabetics for years without seeing a lot of reported deaths or harms, so there is at least that.

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone speak to the safety profile of these drugs? Years ago I list of ton of weight in Meridia and low and behold it got pulled from the market for causing heart problems and stroke. I’ve always been overweight bordering on obese and fear my metabolism is so far gone that diet and exercise alone will never be more than minimally effective. At the same time, all of my other health markers are very good. I’d really like to have this weight gone and not struggle every day keeping my food at the 1400 calories I get to eat (with exercise). At the same time, I don’t want to potentially harm myself or damage my organs for vanity’s sake. Appreciate if anyone can share what Calibrate or their PCP has told them.

The biggest issue they saw in research with mice were thyroid tumors. But they didn’t see it in human trials.

Can anyone speak to the safety profile of these drugs? Years ago I list of ton of weight in Meridia and low and behold it got pulled from the market for causing heart problems and stroke. I’ve always been overweight bordering on obese and fear my metabolism is so far gone that diet and exercise alone will never be more than minimally effective. At the same time, all of my other health markers are very good. I’d really like to have this weight gone and not struggle every day keeping my food at the 1400 calories I get to eat (with exercise). At the same time, I don’t want to potentially harm myself or damage my organs for vanity’s sake. Appreciate if anyone can share what Calibrate or their PCP has told them.