Ozempic is a medicine used in diabetes management, but it has recently gained popularity as a weight loss treatment. It’s becoming more common for individuals who are on a health journey to combine medication like Ozempic with a balanced diet, exercise, and other healthy lifestyle changes. If you’re seeing a dietitian to support your efforts, you may wonder if a dietitian can prescribe medication for weight loss.

In this article, we’ll explain how Ozempic works for weight loss, who can prescribe it, and whether you can get Ozempic through a registered dietitian. In the second half of this article, we will discuss how nutrition counseling goes hand-in-hand with weight loss medications to enhance your results, improve overall health, and keep the weight off for good.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is one pharmaceutical brand name for semaglutide, which is a medication classified as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. There are other types of GLP-1 drugs, and they all work by improving how your body produces and uses insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that helps move glucose out of your bloodstream and into cells for energy or storage.

Ozempic is typically prescribed for individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to help regulate blood sugar. People with type 2 diabetes have high blood sugar because their bodies don’t produce enough insulin or they don’t respond efficiently to insulin, which is known as insulin resistance. Managing blood sugar helps minimize complications related to chronically elevated blood sugar levels, like heart disease, vision changes, and kidney disease. 

Ozempic has also been found to support weight loss in people with and without diabetes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved Ozempic as a weight loss medication, but it is being prescribed off-label for people who need to lose weight.

How Does Ozempic Work?

To understand how semaglutide drugs, like Ozempic, work, we first need to review the concept of GLP-1.

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your body naturally produces in response to food you’ve eaten. The primary function of GLP-1 is to prompt the pancreas to release insulin to regulate blood sugar. Ozempic works by mimicking the action of GLP-1. It helps your body produce and release insulin, which prevents blood sugar levels from creeping too high. 

Ozempic also slows down the transit time of food moving through your digestive system, which helps enhance the feeling of fullness after eating. Satiety is a big part of weight loss—the fuller you feel, the less hunger you’ll experience between meals. For many people, taking Ozempic results in feeling satisfied with smaller portions.

Can a Dietitian Prescribe Ozempic?

Most people know that a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN or RD) is a nutrition expert who can help with weight loss, so it’s natural to wonder if RDs can also prescribe medications for weight loss. The short answer is no; dietitians can not prescribe Ozempic or any other prescription medication. Only licensed healthcare practitioners, which include medical doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, can prescribe medication. 

Although registered dietitians are healthcare professionals, and you may see one to support weight loss efforts, they are not legally allowed to write prescriptions—it doesn’t matter if it’s an injectable, like Ozempic, or oral pills. A dietitian can, however, help you determine if weight loss medicine may be right for you and refer you to a prescribing provider if you’re interested in learning more about Ozempic or similar medications.

The Role of a Dietitian in Weight Loss

Weight loss medications are helping people shed pounds, but they’re only one part of the equation when it comes to meeting your health and weight goals. For safe and sustainable weight loss, you still need to make lifestyle changes, and that’s where a registered dietitian comes into play. 

RDs support you on your weight loss journey by providing personalized care and meal plans tailored to your food preferences, health history, and medications. They also calculate caloric intake and nutrient needs to make sure you’re getting enough vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients for good health. If you’re juggling weight loss with a chronic health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, dietitians know how to support you in creating a meal plan that covers all your bases.

A dietitian can also assist with identifying food sensitivities and recommend over-the-counter dietary supplements to support proper nutrition and health goals. They provide ongoing support to keep you motivated, answer questions, and help you solve challenges as they pop up. 

Why You Should See a Dietitian While On Weight Loss Meds to Lose Weight

Here are some other benefits of combining medication with dietitian-led weight loss counseling:

Your Insurance Company May Require Proof of Weight Loss Attempts

It’s a good idea to see a dietitian before inquiring about weight loss medication, and here’s why:

Some health insurance policies require you to have medically documented weight loss attempts before they approve a prescription for Ozempic or other medicine for weight management. Seeing a dietitian for nutrition counseling will often count as “proof” that you’re trying to lose weight, and that medication is warranted. 

Better Results

If you’re considering weight loss medication, working with a registered dietitian will only enhance your results and nutrition status. A dietitian will ensure the foods and portion sizes you eat support the effects of the medication. For example, eating meals balanced with protein, healthy fat, and fiber supports satiety and healthy blood sugar—some of the same actions of Ozempic.

Dietitians will also ensure adequate nutrition, including meeting protein needs, to help you maintain your lean body mass and avoid muscle and bone loss—an issue commonly seen with weight loss medications and rapid rates of weight loss. A dietitian will help you set realistic goals for sustainable weight loss and help you adopt long-term healthy eating habits that will support lasting results, even if you stop using the medication.

Management of Side Effects

Like other medications, weight management medications come with a risk of side effects. Common side effects of Ozempic include nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. A dietitian can offer strategies and help you adjust your diet to manage these side effects while ensuring you still get adequate nutrition.

Prevention of Malnutrition and Nutrient Deficiencies

Since Ozempic can decrease your appetite, you’ll likely eat less than usual. During that time, it’s important to make sure you’re not undereating or missing essential nutrients. Consuming adequate protein while taking weight loss medicine is essential to prevent losing muscle mass.

Dietitians help you create a balanced meal plan that minimizes the risk of nutritional deficiencies and supports a healthy body composition.

Conclusion

Registered dietitians cannot prescribe Ozempic or any other weight loss medicine. However, they play a crucial role in weight management by providing patients with the nutrition education, resources, and emotional support needed for lasting weight loss. A dietitian can collaborate with your healthcare providers to create a customized nutrition plan that complements the action of GLP-1 medications and helps you safely and effectively meet your weight loss goals.