How Long Has Ozempic Been on the Market
Medically reviewed by Linda Girgis | MD, Girgis Family Medicine on August 20th, 2026.
Ozempic has been on the market since December 2017, when the FDA approved it for type 2 diabetes treatment. Initially developed by Novo Nordisk as a once-weekly injection containing semaglutide, the medication gained significant attention for its weight loss effects in clinical trials. The drug demonstrated an average weight reduction of 12-15% in studies, leading to widespread off-label use for weight management. In 2021, the FDA approved a higher-dose version called Wegovy specifically for weight loss.
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