What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist. It works by mimicking a hormone your gut naturally releases after eating — slowing digestion, reducing appetite, and helping regulate blood sugar. It's administered as a once-weekly injection using a pre-filled pen.
In South Africa, Ozempic is registered with SAHPRA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not registered here specifically for weight loss — that indication belongs to Wegovy, a higher-dose formulation of the same active ingredient. Some doctors do prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight management; this should only happen under medical supervision.
Typical dosing pattern
Treatment usually starts at 0.25mg weekly for four weeks, then increases in steps as advised by a prescribing doctor. We don't publish dosing calculators or self-titration schedules here — your prescriber sets your dose.
Related medications
If you're comparing options, you may also want to look at Wegovy (same active ingredient, weight-management dosing), Mounjaro (a different mechanism, tirzepatide), or Saxenda (an older, daily GLP-1 injection).