\n| Covered by insurance?<\/b><\/td>\n | Varies by plan, may require prior authorization<\/span><\/td>\n | Varies by plan, may require prior authorization<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Average retail price per month*<\/b><\/td>\n | $1,512<\/span><\/td>\n | $1,388<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n price*<\/strong><\/td>\n| $950<\/span><\/td>\n | $825<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n*Average price at the time of publication. Drug prices fluctuate and vary by pharmacy.<\/span><\/h5>\nHow to switch from Zepbound to Ozempic<\/span><\/h2>\nThe first step when switching from Zepbound to Ozempic is to consult a healthcare provider. Only a healthcare professional familiar with your medical and family history, other health conditions, and other medications you are taking can offer personalized medical advice.<\/span><\/p>\nAccording to Dr. Pepin, switching from Zepbound to Ozempic typically involves \u201ca washout period\u201d of stopping Zepbound and waiting for it to clear from the body before starting at the lowest Ozempic dose.<\/span><\/p>\nHere is an example transition period schedule for a patient whose healthcare provider recommends a typical washout period of two weeks:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Administer the last <\/span>dose of Zepbound<\/span> on the first Monday of the month.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Wait for Zepbound to clear from your system (some healthcare professionals recommend waiting up to two weeks).<\/span><\/li>\n
- Administer Ozempic at the lowest dose, 0.25 mg, on the third Monday of the month.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Continue at the lowest <\/span>Ozempic dose<\/span> for three more weeks.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Increase Ozempic dosage to 0.5 mg the fifth time it is administered (after one month), then continue at 0.5 mg\/weekly three more times.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Continue increasing the dosage every four weeks as needed, as determined by your healthcare provider.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n\n\n\nZepbound vs. Ozempic dosage comparison<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n\n\n| Zepbound<\/b><\/td>\n | Ozempic<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Month 1<\/b><\/td>\n | 2.5 mg\/week<\/span><\/td>\n | 0.25 mg\/week<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Month 2<\/b><\/td>\n | 5 mg\/week<\/span><\/td>\n | 0.5 mg\/week<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Month 3<\/b><\/td>\n | 5 mg or 7.5 mg\/week<\/span><\/td>\n | 0.5 mg or 1 mg\/week<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Month 4<\/b><\/td>\n | 5 mg or 10 mg\/week<\/span><\/td>\n | 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg\/week<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Month 5<\/b><\/td>\n | 5 mg, 10 mg, or 12.5 mg\/week<\/span><\/td>\n | 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg\/week<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Month 6 and thereafter<\/b><\/td>\n | 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg\/week<\/span><\/td>\n | 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg\/week<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nThese are example schedules of dosing for weight loss. Your dosing schedule may vary based on your individual needs, so always follow the schedule prescribed by your healthcare provider.<\/span><\/i><\/h5>\nSide effects from stopping Zepbound and starting Ozempic<\/span><\/h2>\nThere are no side effects explicitly associated with stopping Zepbound to start Ozempic.<\/span> Zepbound<\/span> and<\/span> Ozempic<\/span> share most of the same potential side effects, including:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Gastrointestinal issues (nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Injection site reactions (redness, itching, bumps, or swelling)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Serious adverse effects include <\/span>hypoglycemia<\/span> (especially when used along with insulin or certain diabetes medicines), <\/span>pancreatitis<\/span>, <\/span>gallbladder problems<\/span>, kidney injury, and worsening <\/span>diabetic retinopathy<\/span>. Zepbound and Ozempic also have <\/span>boxed warnings<\/span> about thyroid cancer\u2014however, this risk has been found in animal studies but not established in human studies.<\/span><\/p>\nBecause these are different medications and individual responses vary, Dr. Pepin recommends telling your healthcare provider about any new or worsening side effects, even common ones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n | | | | | | | | | | | |
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