Ozempic (semaglutide) is a medicine used with food and physical activities to enhance blood sugar management in people with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic cannot be used to cure type 1 diabetes, also known as diabetic ketoacidosis. However, your doctor might recommend Ozempic to be taken in conjunction with other diabetic drugs, for example, metformin or insulin.
In simple words, Ozempic is an antidiabetic medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes and control weight in the long term. Like human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), Ozempic functions by raising insulin production and reducing blood glucose levels. Compared to other antidiabetic medications, it has a longer duration of effect, requiring only a once-weekly dose.
Ozempic is also used for weight-loss purposes as well.
History and Legal Status of Ozempic
As a longer-acting substitute to liraglutide, a team of scientists at Novo Nordisk created semaglutide in 2012 as part of their study into the drug. Ozempic was the registered trademark name that was given to it. Clinical trials were initiated in 2015, and stage III studies were completed by the end of the year.
As revealed in a 2017 study, researchers from the University of Leeds and Novo Nordisk discovered that it might be used to treat obesity and other diseases. Having fewer food cravings and gaining less weight results from using this supplement. Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial indicated that 2.4 mg of the medication was given every week for 68 weeks, resulting in an average decrease in body weight of 14.9 percent in contrast to the 2.4 percent decrease.
In October 2017, the FDA Advisory Committee voted 16–0 in favour of the new drug to approve the NDA, which was submitted to them in December 2016. An injectable variant of this drug was licensed to be used medically in the United States in December 2017, and in the following year, the European Union, Canada, and Japan also permitted the drug to be used for medicinal purposes.
A variant (Rybelsus) that could be taken orally was licensed for medicinal purposes in the United States in September 2019, while in the European Union, it was licensed in April 2020. It has become the first medicine of this sort, licensed in the United States, which can also be taken orally (injecting it is not a must).
Ozempic Usage for Diabetics
Ozempic comes in 2mg and 4mg injectable pens. The majority of patients will begin Ozempic therapy with the lower 0.25 mg dosage, administered once a week for four weeks. The 0.25 mg dosage is not utilized as your final maintenance dose to keep your blood sugar under control. Starting with a lower dosage may make it easier for you to endure some of the adverse effects at first.
After four weeks of therapy at the 0.25 mg level, your dose will typically be raised to 0.5 mg per week and then perhaps to 1 mg per week, depending on your reaction to the medication and how well you handled it.
According to the manufacturer, it takes 4 to 5 weeks of once-weekly administration of Ozempic before the patient reaches a steady state. The term “steady-state” refers to the period during which the drug’s concentration in the body remains constant. In other words, a steady-state occurs when the rate at which the medication enters your body is equivalent to the pace at which the medication is eliminated from your body. However, even though steady-state thresholds are achieved in 4 to 5 weeks, clinical efficacy with Ozempic varies from individual to individual. It may take longer due to variables such as age, body composition, amount of body fluid, other medications you take, renal or hepatic functions, or your other health problems.
It might take longer, depending on how soon you can obtain your ultimate maintenance dosage. Your doctor is the most knowledgeable about your medical situation and can provide detailed information about your total response time to Ozempic.
In the case of type 2 diabetes, it is a long-term (chronic) condition, and drugs are needed to keep it under control. To get the full benefits of Ozempic on your heart, you must continue to take your prescription for an extended period. Your doctor may prescribe Ozempic in conjunction with other diabetic medications to lower your blood sugar levels even further or provide additional advantages.
It would be best if you did not discontinue taking your medicine or make any changes to your dosage without first seeing your doctor.
To summarize:
- You should notice a significant reduction in your blood glucose (sugar) concentrations during the first week of starting Ozempic (semaglutide) on its usual maintenance dosage.
- However, because this is a long-acting medicine only once per week, the entire impact may not be felt for up to 8 weeks or more. To reduce adverse symptoms, you will begin medication with lower dosages for the first four weeks of treatment. However, it is not an efficient dose for lowering blood glucose in the long run.
- Ozempic dosages are taken once a week, on the same day every week. It may be administered at any time of the day. Taking it with meals is not necessary.
- If you are concerned about your blood glucose levels, consult with your medical advisor if your findings are different from those of other patients.
Side Effects
There can be mild to severe when using Ozempic. Please speak to your healthcare professional if you experience any side effects. Some of the side effects of Ozempic may include the following:
- Blurry eyesight.
- Thoughts of harming yourself and mood swings that are out of the ordinary.
- Heartbeats that are thumping or flickering in your body.
- A sensation of being dizzy and on the verge of passing out.
- Thyroid tumor- symptoms include enlargement or a bump in your throat, difficulty swallowing, a raspy voice, and feeling out of breath.
- Indications of pancreatitis – symptoms include numbness and tingling in your upper abdomen that radiates to your back; nausea even without puking; a rapid heartbeat.
- Gallbladder disorders – Upper stomach discomfort, fever, dark feces, and jaundice are all symptoms of gallbladder disorders.
- The following symptoms of low blood sugar are present – migraine; a significant increase in appetite; weakness; sweating; disorientation; restlessness; dizziness; a rapid heartbeat.
- Renal issues – inflammation, decreased urination, fatigue, breathlessness, or kidney failure.
- Stomach flu – signs include stomach pains, puking, nausea, reduced appetite, diarrhea, and dehydration.
- Low blood sugar levels (in persons with type 2 diabetes).
- Digestive discomfort, acidity, and bloating.
- Irritation, diarrhea, constipation.
- Gastrointestinal flu symptoms.
- Migraine, drowsiness, and fatigue.
Steps to Follow When Using Ozempic
Ozempic should be taken precisely as suggested by your doctor. Follow all of the recommendations on your prescription label, and be sure to read any medication guidelines or information sheets that come with your medicine. Also, follow the dose recommendations provided by your medical advisor. It is not recommended to use other medicines of semaglutide (such as Rybelsus or Wegovy) while using Ozempic.
Always start preparing an injection only when you are prepared to administer it. If your medication is foggy, has discoloured, or has fragments in it, reach out to your pharmacist.
If you have low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), eat hard candies, or drink juices to get your blood sugar back up rapidly.
Unopened Ozempic injectable pens should be stored in their original box in a refrigerator away from direct sunlight. Do not use it after the expiry date has passed. If you have an injectable pen that has frozen, throw it away.
One dosage of Ozempic injectable pen is included inside the pen’s container. After the initial usage, place the pan in a fridge or store it at room temperature with the needle extracted. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat. Make sure the cap is on at all times. Immediately discard if the dosage counter displays less than 0.25 mg on the first usage or if 56 days have passed after the initial use.
Your healthcare practitioner will instruct you on how to administer this medication. The abdomen is the most common place to deliver the medication. Ozempic may only be injected into the upper arm, thigh, or belly via the skin and muscle subcutaneous route. Choose a new injection site each week if you’re injecting to the same part of your body, like your abdomen.
If you’re injecting into a region like your thigh, you’ll want to vary the treatment area every time. To avoid developing skin pits, thicker skin, or lumps, rotating injection sites each time is critical.
When administering Ozempic, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Each Ozempic injection should not be administered in the same location.
- Injecting Ozempic into the skin with pits, thickening, or lumps may result in an ineffective Ozempic injection.
- Do not inject into sores, bruises, scaly patches, or damaged skin.
Purchasing Ozempic Online
At buyozempic.com, we have battle–tested many of the online pharmacies that are circulating the internet. We highly suggest the online pharmacies and outlets that have provided us with the best experience. Our suggestions come from our failures of ordering semaglutide online and we would not want anyone to go through what we went through. Be aware that there is no generic of Ozempic and that it cannot be purchased over the counter. Many online pharmacies will try to sell you generics and some even just send you an empty box of Ozempic.
Conclusion
Your blood glucose levels should begin to fall within the first week of taking Ozempic (semaglutide) at its usual maintenance dosage. However, the full benefits of this long-acting medicine may take up to eight weeks or more. Although Ozempic has become the latest trend for weight loss, its history and foundation lies in the realm of diabetes. Its initial purpose was made for diabetes and helping diabetics manage their blood glucose levels. The medication has proven results but should only be prescribed by a licensed medial professional.