As weight loss drugs soar in popularity, many who could benefit can t get them

Most patients who seek a doctor’s help for their weight are often simply advised to “try to eat less and move more” or to start a food diary, he said.

User Reviews for Ozempic

Ozempic has an average rating of 5.7 out of 10 from a total of 744 reviews on Drugs.com. 43% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 36% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Ozempic

dana · Taken for less than 1 month · September 26, 2020

“Started taking this medication off label for weight loss only, I am not diabetic. Started on Aug 30, 2020. First 2 weeks I had some mild nausea nothing terrible and some mild dizziness, the past 2 weeks I have had no symptoms. I definitely cannot eat what I use to or you will feel sick. I am doing the weekly injection at 0.25 along with weight watchers and in the past 26 days I have lost 10.5 lbs :). My sweet tooth cravings are pretty much gone. Really happy so far, I am increasing to 0.50mg next week. I’ll keep you all posted!”

9 / 10
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Zell · Taken for 6 months to 1 year · March 29, 2021

For Diabetes, Type 2 “I started ozempic 9 months ago. At the time I was a little over 200 lbs and was taking 1000 mg of metformin daily. Metformin had worked for me for almost 20 yrs so I didn’t expect that is had suddenly stopped working. For 3 years I gained weight even though I worked out, and I thought it was just my appetite out of control. One random day I realized my metformin was the problem. I saw a new dr who prescribed ozempic. What a miracle! 9 months later and I’m down 40 lbs, my a1c dropped from 8.1 to 5.6, and I have virtually no symptoms from the drug other than fullness. The symptoms in the beginning did not last long either. Nausea, headache, fatigue. all cleared up within a week or 2 each time my dose was increased. It can cause what feels like constipation but for me it’s just that I simply haven’t eaten enough. This drug feels too good to be true. I’m so pleased with my experience so far!”

10 / 10
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Teresa · September 6, 2020

For Diabetes, Type 2 “I’ve been Ozempic for 4 weeks. I am so glad that my doctor sat me down and told me what to expect. She also asked if I could handle it. She said that if you can make it through the 4th week I promise it will get better. She was right. I was pretty sick the first two weeks. I learned that it had a lot to do with me trying to eat my normal intake of food. Once I started to catch a clue and making my portions smaller, I learned it would make me feel better. I could guarantee if I ate too much, I’d feel like crap. People aren’t kidding about the side effects. It’s real. But I made it and am now starting to feel better with each day. I’ve lost 18 pounds now and I’m amazed. Yes it makes you sick but if you keep trying to eat like you did it will be worse. You have to start listening to your body You can’t keep eating your same amounts and expect to lose weight.”

10 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

• How do Mounjaro, Wegovy & Ozempic compare for weight loss?
• How long does it take for Ozempic to work?
• Mounjaro vs Ozempic: How do they compare?
• How many doses are in an Ozempic pen?

Stingie · Taken for less than 1 month · July 21, 2021

For Diabetes, Type 2 “I did one injection and have been ill since. Have had acid reflux, burping, vomiting, constipation, headache and dizziness. I tried to eat small meals and drink plenty of water as directed by my physician, but I have been unable to hold anything down. 5 days after my first injection, I’m off work drinking pedialyte trying to get my strength back and avoid being hospitalized. This is the worst that I have ever felt in my life.”

1 / 10
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MzGormo · Taken for 1 to 6 months · January 30, 2021

For Diabetes, Type 2 “Started on Ozempic Sept 2020, starting weight 312 lbs (5’ 4”). I am type 2 diabetic and take 2550mg of Metformin daily. HbA1c was 79, sugar cravings and blood sugar out of control. Started on 0.25 dose, for a month. Quite bad stomach cramps and nausea for the first month. Went up to 0.5 on month 2, then 1.0 dose for month 3 and since. No 1 tip – inject into your leg rather than around your belly. Once I changed to injecting in my leg, nausea and cramps disappeared overnight & never came back. To maximise effectiveness, you can’t eat like you did before. I re-joined Weight Watchers in Sept. I have lost 80lbs in 5 months, HBA1c dropped from 79 to 51 which is normal type 2 level although the doc feels with more weight loss, it could go to normal levels. In Ireland, diabetes is classed as a long term illness so all medications are covered by the government so I don’t have to pay for this. Otherwise costs €195.”

10 / 10
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Susieblee · Taken for 6 months to 1 year · July 14, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction “I have been on ozempic for exactly 1 year as my insulin intake (injection) was far too high as well as Metformin. I was asked if I wanted to try ozempic and was told that it may help with weight loss too. In the course of the year I have lost over 9 stone in weight and gone from a ladies size 26 in clothing to a size 14 to 16. I have never been happier with my weight, my blood sugars are normal levels now which they were previously out of control.”

10 / 10
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Mary · March 6, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction “I was prescribed it for prediabetes and weight loss. Today in one week since my first injection and I lost 6 lbs. in one week, last diet (one of very many) it took me 3 month to lose 10 lb by starving myself, which tells you how elevated sugar prevents you to lose weight. I am not diabetic, my a1c 5.5. I has slight nausea and fatigue first 2 days and after that, it’s all gone and I never felt better, I have no cravings, I eat approximately 1000cal. A day and it’s more than enough, instead of contact thoughts of food I do other things that I USED to enjoy: exercise, etc. I am worried coming off ozempic before I lose all weight I need. It is a miracle drug for me! I hope it will help you all! If they keep working on meds like this it will reduce DT2 and obesity drastically”

10 / 10
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More FAQ

• Ozempic vs Wegovy: What’s the difference between them?
• Does Ozempic need to be refrigerated?
• Taking Ozempic: What foods should you avoid?
• What is Ozempic used for and how does it work?

Kitkat · Taken for 1 to 6 months · July 20, 2021

For Diabetes, Type 2 “I’m a 54 year old female who’s a1c was 8.3 at the end of March. So after 4 months on Ozempic, my a1c is now 6.3! and I’ve lost 34 lbs. Definitely curbs my appetite and I have been logging my food. My side effects have been minimal, a little nausea in the beginning and constipation. This med has been a game changer for me. My hope I that many others will have the same results I have.”

10 / 10
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Doubtful · January 19, 2021

For Diabetes, Type 2 “I took one Ozempic injection at .25 and ended up at ER 2 days later. I had horrible bloating. Burping smelled like eggs. Unstoppable vomiting and diarrhea. I ONLY TOOK ONE INJECTION and stopped the medicine. It has been 2 weeks and the medicine still making me sick. I’m just wondering how long it takes to fully leave your system? I just want to feel human again. I was tested for pancreatitis but was ok but dr said will repeat labs soon. I DON’T RECOMMEND THIS MEDICATION TO ANYONE. PLEASE BE SAFE TAKING THIS MEDICATION.”

1 / 10
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Mac · October 18, 2020

For Diabetes, Type 2 “Ozempic has caused me so much constipation . I know a side effect is diarrhea but it does the complete OPPOSITE for me . A day or two after I take my injection I have no bowel movements at all !! Every week I am forced to take a laxative . It has caused so many problems for me . Anyone else experienced severe constipation . So frustrated”

1 / 10
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Anon · Taken for 1 to 6 months · May 19, 2020

For Diabetes, Type 2 “I was terrified to take this after reading some of the reviews online, but I have to say I am so happy I started this drug. I’ve followed others suggestions about injecting the drug into my upper thigh and not my abdomen. I was on a .25 dose for 4 weeks then moved to .5 and that’s what I currently take. My appetite has decreased SIGNIFICANTLY. I was addicted to eating junk foods, and I simply cannot eat them anymore, my stomach cannot handle them. I get full after eating one proper sized meal, and it keeps me going for most of the day, only having a snack like 1 apple in the evening. Side effects were mild for me, had some constipation but I started taking fiber supplements to help with that. I have been on the medication for 7 weeks now and I’m down 10lbs and I feel great. Make sure your doctor gets you to increase the dose slowly, inject into your thigh and be ready to make better dietary choices when starting this drug. I truly believe it saved me from morbid obesity.”

10 / 10
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Concerned · Taken for 1 to 6 months · February 1, 2021

For Diabetes, Type 2 “I started Ozempic in late December at .25 injection. I also take 500mg metformin per day. Soon after I started Ozempic I had decreased apetitite and my sugars improved, but I had reflux, gas, bloating, nausea and diarrhea. After 4 weeks I started .50. 2 weeks in I have bouts of painful constipation then diarrhea, nausea, bloating, gas, reflux and cramping. I’ve almost vomited a few times. When I eat it feels like the food just sits and sits, barely moving through my gut. My doctor wants me to stick with it, saying that these side effects usually improve, but It’s been pretty miserable. I’m thinking I’m going to stop taking it. While Ozempic has been effective in regulating my sugars and losing weight, I don’t think it’s worth the suffering that I’ve been enduring on this medication. I understand that studies showed it causing thyroid cancer in mice, but no one knows if it causes thyroid cancer in humans. I don’t want to be the guinea pig the drug makers use to find out it does.”

5 / 10
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Saucy · December 3, 2020

For Diabetes, Type 2 “Been on Ozempic since mid April 2020. All side effects listed with the worst being chronic diarrhea. Nausea has been significant, but has settled to occasionally. Trying to follow a more plant based diet I have lost today an official 60 pounds. I find the less meat I eat, the more energy I have, the better my blood sugars are as well. I am 53, so weight loss isn’t impossible for us older ladies. “

7 / 10
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Sane One · March 13, 2020
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jamison42 · Taken for 1 to 6 months · June 2, 2021

For Diabetes, Type 2 “I have been on 0.5 Ozempic for 2 months now. The nausea is no better. I vomit almost every day. Driving down the road and I begin to vomit. Almost caused me to wreck my car twice now. I’ve lost 30 pounds and feel terrible. My stomach hurts all the time and now my back. I do not urinate much at all even though I’ve increased water. Calling today and going off it. Losing weight is great, but not at the cost of feeling horrible every day.”

5 / 10
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Cheryl · Taken for less than 1 month · January 30, 2022

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction “I did lots of research before starting Ozempic, so was aware of potential (hideous) side effects. I started a week ago on a starting dose on .25. (Had my second .25 dose this morning). Super super super happy. Based on research, I have opted to inject in my upper leg rather than my tummy. I don’t know if it’s based on the injection location, or if I’m just lucky, but I have had ZERO side effects. No nausea. No dizziness. Nothing. I am eating three sensible, small, low fat meals a day, with (perhaps) a small amount of fruit as a snack, and walk my dog regularly. I am down 1kg (2.2 pounds) over the week, and am super confident that I will be able to continue on Ozempic until I get down to my goal weight (20kg/44 pound to go). Although my doctor said he will increase my Ozempic to .5 then 1mg over the next 2 months, I am going to say no, and stay on .25 for as long as that works for me. (Why increase if the current dose is working!). I am 55. Cost in Australia = $132 per script.”

10 / 10
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Momo · Taken for 1 to 2 years · April 30, 2020

For Diabetes, Type 2 “I have been taking Ozempic for 16 months and have lost 80Lbs! I started at .25 and have moved up to 1. At first I was terribly sick but I took my time to adjust bit by bit while the dose was slowly raised and now I don’t feel sick at all from it now! If you can hold on and push through ( the push was hard, REALLY sick some days) it does get better. It has saved my life”

10 / 10
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Will · Taken for 1 to 6 months · February 7, 2021

For Diabetes, Type 2 “Did the first 4 weeks o Ozempic @ .25 had mild stomach issues. Nausea was come and go really not consistent. Helped control my eating. Dr said if you over eat or eat like you used to you will throw up. There is no place for the over eating but up. Didn’t over eat didn’t have much issue. Took stool softener to keep things moving. At the .5 dose ate less but less side effects than my first dose. Glad I have started the med it works.”

10 / 10
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JE · Taken for 1 to 6 months · August 26, 2020

For Diabetes, Type 2 “I have been taking Ozempic for 4 months to reduce insulin resistance (caused by polycystic ovary syndrome). The medication has significantly reduced my appetite. I have had a few minor side effects – a stomach cramp here, an episode of diarrhea there. but nothing at all significant. My weight went from 151 (BMI 25.9) to 133 three months later (BMI 22.8). I honestly could not be happier.”

10 / 10
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Margie · September 27, 2020

For Diabetes, Type 2 “I was put on Ozempic after taking Gliperide for several years. I started on 0.25mg then on to 1mg. I started having the nastiest burps ever, then diarrhea 3 to 4 times a day. After 3 months I went to a gastroenterologist and was diagnosed with gastroparesis, a side effect of Ozempic. I have all the side effects nasty ,offensive smelling burps, eye floaters in both eyes, bad diarrhea, stomach pain, now this disease that has caused pre cancer cells. Yes, my appetite has decreased, I have lost 15 lbs in 3 months, my numbers are good. But not worth being sick every day. Just found out my daughter is going thru the same exact thing. So take it at your own risk.”

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Maria B · Taken for 6 months to 1 year · February 1, 2021

For Diabetes, Type 2 “I started taking Ozempic in June 2020, initially lost 20 pounds by August. Total of 30 pounds so far, last 10 have been a lot slower. I went from 186 pounds to 156 pounds. A1c went from 6.5 to 5.6. Minimal side effects include occasional nausea and constipation. Started using miralax which has helped. Side effects I have experienced are worth the benefits. I consistently wake up with glucose levels in 80-90 range, never out of green zone on glucometer. I cannot over eat. If I do I feel ill or get heartburn so I have learned my lesson. I am really happy with this medication.”

10 / 10
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Lynn · December 22, 2020

For Diabetes, Type 2 “I took 1 dose of Ozempic and I have been sick ever since, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps and a little dizziness. This is terrible, will never use again. Can someone tell me how long these symptoms last?”

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Chris · Taken for 1 to 6 months · July 11, 2021

For Diabetes, Type 2 “I suffered from -Loss of appetite -Exhaustion -Nausea -Vomiting (once a week usually 2 days after my injection) -Low blood sugar events (probably caused because just had no appetite) When I spoke to my pharmacist she encouraged me to try to hang in there telling me it would get better and it finally has. I was not expecting it to take over 3 months though. My readings are all good and I’ve lost 28lbs so there were benefits to sticking it out but it was hard. I had decided that I would continue to take the medication until my next appointment and if things were still bad I would tell the Dr that I no longer wanted to use it. Things are better and my appointment is next week.”

5 / 10
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LondonTimes · Taken for 1 to 6 months · January 8, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction “Having struggled with a need for carbs and sugar for over 2 decades it caught up with. Constantly sluggish, despite regular exercise. Risk of heart issues as have an inherited Cholesterol disease. Weight, well thats a given, most females postmenopausal struggle to lose weight. So, after all sorts of natural therapies and a ton of exercise nothing helped very much. My GP mentioned Ozempic, even though I was only pre diabetic she still felt it would help. After the usual low dose start -6 weeks later up to 1mg. I have been injecting weekly and 6 months later, I am not only 30 lbs down I feel so brilliant. More energy, better sleep and no sugar cravings at all. It has been great. No side effects, maybe a little constipation at the start (mainly due to change of eating habits) Superb med, wish more people could be offered the chance to use it. It is still expensive in the insurance world , however hopefully like many other meds in this country the costs will lessen.”

10 / 10
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Lem · Taken for 1 to 6 months · February 1, 2021

For Diabetes, Type 2 “Honestly am so impressed so far with these meds. My weight had been creeping up due to insulin resistance (which itself makes it harder to lose weight) and PCOS. My doctor recommended I try this in conjunction with a very low carb and calorie diet. I started with a half dose of 0.25mg once a week injection and then after 2 weeks up to 0.5mg a week and so far in 6 weeks I’ve lost 15cm from my waist and 9cm off my hips, 5cm off my bust. I have been eating lite and easy roughly 1000 calories a day. Haven’t weighed myself yet as I’d prefer to see the difference in cm. This medication makes me feel a little nauseous the first day or two after my shot but after that I never feel hungry. I can quite easily eat a super small portion and feel full! I drink about 2L of water a day and do about 8000 steps at my job. It really has been great and sooooo much cheaper than Saxenda which was another one I was considering. Hopefully I continue to lose weight!”

10 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

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As weight loss drugs soar in popularity, many who could benefit can’t get them

Most health insurance companies won’t cover the cost of Ozempic and Wegovy, leaving groups with the highest rates of obesity without access.

A Wegovy 2.4mg semaglutide injection pen. Wegovy
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Feb. 2, 2023, 11:00 PM UTC

Demand for weight loss drugs has soared over the last year, to the point that semaglutide — better known by the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy — has been in short supply at pharmacies nationwide. Doctors who treat obese patients are increasingly frustrated that the people who really need the injection medications aren’t getting them.

Seventy percent of Americans are overweight or obese and at increased risk for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, non-Hispanic Black adults have the highest rates of obesity, followed by Hispanic adults.

However, Black adults, as well as uninsured or lower-income women, and other groups with high rates of obesity — the people whose health might benefit the most from significant weight loss — are the least likely to get the costly medications, obesity doctors say.

Ozempic, which is approved for people with diabetes but is prescribed off-label for weight loss, and Wegovy, which is approved for weight loss, can carry price tags of more than $1,000 a month. Neither drug is covered for weight loss by most insurance plans.

“A majority of my patients can’t afford to pay $1,300 a month, especially for a medication that they need to be on long term,” said Dr. Veronica Johnson, an obesity specialist at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. “As a Black woman and treating patients who look like me, knowing that a lot of Black women struggle with the disease of obesity, I, unfortunately, can’t treat a lot of my patients the best way that I would like to.”

Ozempic to ramp up production driven by off-label demand

Feb. 2, 2023 04:39

Lack of access to this new class of weight loss drugs in such vulnerable groups is “infuriating,” said Dr. Jennifer Mieres, chief diversity and inclusion officer and a professor of cardiology at Northwell Health in New York.

“These are the communities with the highest burden of obesity, the highest burden of cardiovascular disease, and the highest death rate from cardiovascular disease,” Mieres said. “It’s a crime because heart disease can be preventable.” Novo Norodisk, the maker of both drugs, said that 81% of its patients on Wegovy are women. The company didn’t break it down by race. But those statistics don’t mean a majority of women who may need the drugs are getting them.

Latest news on weight loss drugs

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‘The best we’ve ever seen’

Ozempic and Wegovy are the same drug, semaglutide, but come in different doses. They work as appetite suppressants and help control blood sugar levels by prompting the body to release insulin. Wegovy is approved as a weight loss drug for adults who have obesity, as well as people with a BMI of at least 27 who also have a weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Studies have shown that Wegovy can cut body weight by 15%.

“These anti-obesity medications are the best we’ve ever seen,” said Dr. Shauna Levy, a specialist in obesity medicine and medical director of the Tulane Bariatric Center in New Orleans. “They’re a huge boost to our armamentarium of obesity treatments.”

That is, Levy said, only if patients can actually get them.

“Patients I see want their knees to feel better, their hips to feel better, their blood pressure to get better, their diabetes to get better,” Levy said. “But when they come in, I have to tell them, ‘I’m sorry, I’d prescribe this for you, but it’s going to be $1,200 a month because your insurance doesn’t cover it.’ It’s sad.”

That’s exactly what Levy told Tania Matoa, 26, of Metairie, Louisiana.

Matoa began to struggle with her weight after her son, Cailan, was born in 2021. She tried intermittent fasting, cutting carbs and adding aerobics to her exercise routine.

“I kept seeing the number go up on the scale,” she said. “I was like, clearly something is wrong.” She wanted help getting the extra weight off to reduce her chances of developing Type 2 diabetes.

“I may not have it right now, but it does run in my family. Almost every single member of my family has it,” Matoa said. “The whole point is that I don’t develop it, and I stay healthy.”

“Dr. Levy was like, ‘Well, ‘I have bad news,'” Matoa recalled. Though she has private insurance through her employer, Levy said the health plan would not pay for the new weight loss drugs. At 5’1″ and 182 pounds, Matoa’s body mass index is 34.4.

Weight loss surgery, however, is covered. But taking time off to undergo and recover from such a procedure is a nonstarter for Matoa.

“I have to work. I have to take care of my kid,” she said. “I can’t even take a couple of days off of work because I would go without pay. It’s just not an option.”

Are weight loss drugs covered by insurance?

The vast majority of health plans — especially those that serve older adults and low-income families — do not cover weight loss drugs.

Medicare pays for bariatric surgery but not obesity medications, including drugs for anorexia, weight loss and weight gain, a spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services told NBC News.

And fewer than 20 Medicaid programs nationwide pay for them, according to a 2022 report from the Urban Institute, a nonprofit research organization.

AHIP, a group that represents the insurance industry, maintains that there is not yet enough evidence to show the drugs are effective options for long-term weight loss.

“Evidence suggests that patients may not be able to maintain their weight loss once they stop taking the drug,” said David Allen, an AHIP spokesperson. “There is also limited long-term evidence to show that patients on these medications see lasting benefits in reducing risk of co-morbidities like diabetes or cardiovascular disease.”

Dr. C. Noel Bairey Merz, scientific adviser to the Women’s Heart Alliance and director of the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles, said that the drugs’ effect on weight loss may not reflect their true health benefits. They were developed as type 2 diabetes drugs. As such, the medications “clearly have a cardiovascular benefit,” regardless of a person’s weight loss, she said.

To be clear, semaglutide is not the answer for everyone with obesity. It can cause serious side effects, such as vomiting and nausea. As with treating other diseases, different types of therapy may be necessary.

Still, the massive gap in insurance coverage for weight loss medications is rooted in weight discrimination, said James Zervios, vice president and chief of staff for the Obesity Action Coalition.

“As a society, we still very much have the mindset of obesity as a cosmetic issue, and not a metabolic issue or a disease,” Zervios said.

Most patients who seek a doctor’s help for their weight are often simply advised to “try to eat less and move more” or to start a food diary, he said.

“It’s not to say that behavioral components don’t have a place in the treatment plan,” Zervios said, “but it can’t be the only thing.”

Erika Edwards is a health and medical news writer and reporter for NBC News and “TODAY.”