If you’ve ever been curious about GLP-1 meds, you’ve likely seen the good and the not-so-good that can come from these transformative weight loss drugs. While the scales could tip in your favor while taking Ozempic or its competitors, it may come at a cost—both on your wallet and if you experience nausea. (In clinical trials, an estimated 20 to 30 percent of people dealt with this GLP-1 side effect.) For this reason and others, some people are opting to microdose Ozempic… but is it a good idea?
We asked weight loss physicians for everything worth knowing about microdosing Ozempic, including if it works for weight loss and if it’s safe. Check out their hot takes on the trend below.
What Counts As a GLP-1 Microdose?
According to Desiree Granados, MD, a medical weight loss doctor in Sarasota and Port Charlotte, Florida, a microdose could refer to anything less than what your doctor prescribed. “I usually start my patients off with 0.25 mg (25 units) of semaglutide [i.e., the generic version of Ozempic] per week and then increase up to 0.5 mg (50 units) after the first four weeks,” she says. “If someone were to take any less than these amounts, then I’d consider that microdosing.”
Elizabeth Sharp, MD, DABOM, IFMCP, a board-certified internal medicine and obesity medicine physician and the founder and medical director at Health Meets Wellness in NYC, adds that Ozempic has FDA approval only for dosages starting at 0.25 mg or higher.
Purported Benefits of Microdosing Ozempic
According to Dr. Sharp, some of the biggest claimed benefits of microdosing Ozempic include:
- Support for weight maintenance and appetite control
- Reduced inflammation
- Enhanced neurocognitive function and possible protection against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
- Improved gut health
However, it’s important to note that these purported benefits are anecdotal. “They lack confirmation through clinical studies, and no standardized dosing or duration guidelines exist for these effects,” Dr. Sharp explains.
Plus, since microdoses will require less of the medication, there’s also the allure of saving money. This could make the drug more accessible to people for whom it’s cost-prohibitive.
Risks of Microdosing Ozempic
While it may seem innocuous enough to take smaller amounts of a medication your doctor has already prescribed to you, doing so isn’t without its risks.
To start, microdosing is mostly associated with compounded GLP-1 medications; they’re easier to microdose as they come in vials. Ozempic, on the other hand, comes in the form of a clickable pen. “Compounding pharmacies produce non-FDA-approved versions with potential variability in formulation and quality concerns,” adds Dr. Sharp, which may heighten the risk of adverse effects. (Note: Dr. Granados says that compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide can be safe and effective. She sometimes prescribes them—made by FDA-certified compounding facilities and state-licensed pharmacies—to her patients.) In addition, Dr. Sharp warns against getting your GLP-1 medications from unregulated online sources, for the sake of microdosing or otherwise, which can pose safety risks due to contamination or inaccurate dosing.
However, it’s still possible to microdose name-brand Ozempic. “[This involves] emptying FDA-approved versions from the pens into a syringe, which poses potential dosing and safety risks as people need to appropriately dose and store the medication in syringes,” Dr. Sharp explains. “They also need to ensure proper administration.”
Any of these scenarios essentially turn the patient into a makeshift doctor, which is far from advised. “Counting clicks in a pen or extracting the drug with a syringe poses risks of accidentally overdosing or contaminating the product,” warns Dr. Granados. Spacing out the timeline of your doses could also lead you to use the medication past its expiration date.
Above all, Dr. Sharp says that medical supervision is essential when taking these medications. “Microdosing without proper oversight can result in unmonitored side effects or serious complications including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis, kidney injury, and gallstones.”
Should You Microdose Ozempic?
It may seem appealing to take smaller amounts of Ozempic to reduce the likelihood or severity of side effects while still losing weight. However, at present, microdosing Ozempic remains a gray area, and neither Dr. Sharp nor Dr. Granados advise doing so.
“I personally try to steer clear of non-approved uses of medications or at least wait until solid clinical evidence becomes available,” says Dr. Granados. As such, she advises that people take the precise doses of GLP-1 meds as prescribed by their physician. If you’re worried about side effects or are currently dealing with them while on your full prescription, she says that there are other ways to curb them. For instance, you can eat smaller meals throughout the day to promote easier digestion, eat slowly and chew thoroughly, and rely on tried-and-true nausea remedies like ginger tea and peppermint tea. Dr. Granados adds that the first month is usually the toughest for her patients who experience negative side effects while on Ozempic, and that these typically taper off or stop by month two.
Hot Tip: Consider taking HUM’s Flatter Me Fiber GLP-1 Booster!
The Takeaway
It may sound appealing to microdose Ozempic, yet it currently lacks clinical backing and poses risks including contamination and adverse effects. As such, you’re better off taking the full dose under the care of your prescribing physician.
That said, both Dr. Granados and Dr. Sharp are open to the idea of microdosing Ozempic. “If more data becomes available revealing that smaller doses of Ozempic are safe and effective, then this could become a valid option under a doctor’s guidance,” says Dr. Granados. While Dr. Sharp doesn’t endorse microdosing Ozempic due to limited research and potential safety concerns, she does see potential merit in it—with the caveat that it should be evidence-based. “Microdosing may be more suitable for individuals who have previously tolerated higher doses for weight loss, using lower doses for maintenance,” she shares. “It may also be considered for those seeking preventative benefits, such as reducing inflammation or improving glucose regulation, though significant weight loss is unlikely at such low doses.” She cautions that Ozempic microdoses shouldn’t be used to manage diabetes—and again, that any GLP-1 protocol (microdosing or otherwise) should always be under close medical supervision.
And in case you’ve yet to take the plunge to start your GLP-1 journey for weight loss, you might want to consider other options. For instance, research shows that you can boost your GLP-1 levels naturally via diet by prioritizing protein, fiber, and healthy fats at each meal. You can also consider taking a supplement like HUM’s Flatter Me Fiber, which has been clinically tested to double your GLP-1 levels upon first use, while also curbing appetite and reducing bloating.
Microdosing Ozempic FAQs
What is a microdose of Ozempic?
A microdose would be anything less than what your doctor prescribed, which typically starts at 0.25 mg and increases to 0.5 mg at week five.
Does microdosing GLP-1 work?
People have claimed to experience benefits including but not limited to weight loss and reduced side effects while microdosing GLP-1 medications. However, no clinical trials to date have proven that it’s effective, and any Ozempic doses below 0.25 mg lack FDA approval.
Is microdosing semaglutide safe?
At present, microdosing semaglutide isn’t proven to be safe. “As an advocate for evidence-based medicine, I do not endorse microdosing GLP-1 medications due to limited research and potential safety concerns,” says Dr. Sharp. Some influencers and other online resources offer guides to microdosing Ozempic, but it’s best to steer clear of them and avoid putting your faith in their claims and instructions.
