Ozempic (semaglutide) is a medication that is used in conjunction with diet and physical activity to improve blood glucose control in persons with type 2 diabetes and those looking for weight loss benefits. Diabetic drugs are essential for maintaining normal glucose levels in the blood and reducing symptoms, but it is also crucial for maintaining a healthy body weight. Ozempic, may be prescribed in combination with other diabetic medications, such as metformin or insulin, depending on your doctor’s recommendations.
In layman’s terms, Ozempic original intent was for diabetics, but with time it was seen to also helping people lose weight over the long run. Ozempic is a human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which works by increasing insulin production while simultaneously decreasing blood glucose levels.
The length of treatment using this medicine is greater than that of other anti-diabetic drugs, necessitating just a once-weekly dosage.
Ozempic is an example of one of the diabetic drugs that may help individuals lose weight. In this blog, we’ll talk about the benefits of utilizing Ozempic for weight reduction and the risks and other information.
Ozempic for Reducing Weight
Semaglutide sustains blood sugar management and weight reduction in type 2 diabetes and over-weight adults and is proven in clinical studies. Ozempic was proven to help people lose weight by suppressing their desire and hence food intake.
Furthermore, it decreased the relative preference for fat-rich, energy-dense, high-calorie diets, which was previously seen. They were particularly significant in persons with type 2 diabetes since it is critical for diabetes therapy to maintain a healthy body weight in this population. Furthermore, with adequate obesity management, the body’s capacity to regulate blood sugar levels, may even be restored to normal levels in certain cases.
Beyond diabetes treatment, other studies were carried out to examine the effects of Ozempic on weight loss. The Semaglutide Treatment Effect in Adults with Obesity (STEP) program was established to investigate the effects of semaglutide on people who were either overweight or obese but did not have diabetes.
Once weekly, semaglutide dispensed at 2.4 mg was utilized in the research. After 68 weeks of Ozempic treatment and a lifestyle change, the researchers discovered a 14.9 percent reduction in body weight compared with the baseline. More precisely, almost 70 percent of participants dropped at least 10 percent of their body weight, approximately 50 percent lost at least 15 percent of their body weight, and approximately 33 percent lost at least 20 percent.
According to statistics, after 1-3 years of sleeve gastrectomy (a kind of bariatric surgery), people will have lost around 20 percent to 30 percent of their body weight.
These results are significant since weight reduction of 10 percent to 15 percent (or more) is suggested in overweight and obese adults at risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes (such as prediabetes, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea). The present study’s findings imply that semaglutide may be effective in helping people accomplish their prescribed weight reduction and obesity treatment goals.
Dosing Ozempic as a once-weekly injectable may be preferred to other weight-loss treatments since it does not need daily, twice-day, or three-times-daily injections as several similar drugs do. It is quick, easy and efficient. Ozempic is available in 2mg and 4mg injectable pens.
Ozempic Intake for Results
The vast majority of patients will begin Ozempic treatment with the lower 0.25 mg dose, which will be delivered once a week for four weeks. The 0.25 mg dose is not used as your final maintenance dose to keep your blood sugar levels under control but rather, as a preventative measure. In some cases, starting with a lower dose might make some of the unpleasant effects more tolerable for the patient at first.
After four weeks of treatment at the 0.25 mg level, your dosage will normally be increased to 0.5 mg per week and then perhaps to 1 mg per week, depending on your response to the medicine and how well you tolerated it during that time.
According to the manufacturer, once-weekly treatment of Ozempic is recommended for 4 to 5 weeks until the patient achieves a stable condition. Steady-state refers to the time span during which the drug’s amount in the body stays stable. In other words, when the speed at which the medicine enters your blood is proportional to the speed at which the drug is expelled from your blood, you have reached a steady-state.
Even though steady-state thresholds are reached in 4 to 5 weeks, clinical effectiveness with Ozempic differs from person to individual, regardless of the drug’s dose.
It might take longer owing to factors such as your age, body composition, the quantity of body fluid you have, any drugs you are taking, renal or hepatic function, or any other health concerns you are experiencing at the time.
To change the dose of Ozempic, you don’t need to keep an eye on your blood sugar. However, if you start taking Ozempic with a sulfonylurea or insulin, you may need to keep an eye on your blood sugar to make sure you don’t get low on the sulfonylurea or insulin. Always ask for help from your doctor or nurse who specializes in diabetes.
According to how quickly you can get your final maintenance dose, it might take longer. Your health consultant is the most informed person about your medical condition and can offer specific information on the entire time it will take for Ozempic to respond to your request.
Who can use Ozempic for Weight Loss?
Originally, the FDA approval was limited to the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is intended to improve blood sugar management and lower the risk of significant adverse cardiac diseases.
Following the positive findings of clinical studies, the FDA has approved Ozempic to be prescribed for weight-loss purposes. Today, many healthcare practitioners have started prescribing Ozempic for losing weight off-label. Recently, an uptake in Ozempic purchasing has been related to its amazing results in weight-loss. Many weight-loss clinics are prescribing Ozempic for individuals looking to shed pounds.
The drug Ozempic should not be used by people who have had thyroid cancer (or it runs in their family) or have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.
Precautions
If you are using Ozempic, there are a few points to bear in mind.
First, you’ll want to keep your alcohol consumption under control while taking Ozempic, particularly if you have diabetes. Alcohol may have an influence on your sugar levels, and there is a chance that it will drop too low when taken in conjunction with Ozempic, particularly if you are consuming alcohol on an empty belly. Additionally, alcohol might irritate your stomach. When combined with some of the gastrointestinal adverse effects of the medicine, this could make you feel much worse.
If you are using any oral drugs, you should also proceed with care in this situation. Due to the fact that Ozempic delays stomach emptying, it may have an influence on the quantity of oral medicine your body absorbs. Although studies have not indicated that this is a substantial risk with Ozempic, you should inform your healthcare practitioner of any other drugs you are consuming before beginning Ozempic treatment to avoid any complications.
As with any other weight-loss prescription, such as over-the-counter (OTC) vitamins and herbal remedies, you should consult with your healthcare professional before combining Ozempic with another one.
Speaking of over-the-counter, Ozempic is not available without a prescription and there is no generic available for Ozempic.
How is Ozempic Better Than Similar Drugs for Weight Loss?
Ozempic outperformed dulaglutide, exenatide OW, sitagliptin, and insulin glargine in terms of lowering HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin, a marker of blood glucose management) from baseline, according to research. All analyses showed that it was better and led to sustained weight reduction from baseline when evaluated against dulaglutide, sitagliptin, and insulin glargine, among other medications. Semaglutide (Ozempic) 1 mg indicated a better and sustained weight reduction of 6.5 kg compared to dulaglutide, which produced a reduction in weight of 3.0 kg.
After being treated with Ozempic, the chance of dying from cardiopulmonary disease, having a non-fatal cardiac arrest, or having a non-fatal stroke was reduced by 26 percent.
Ozempic is considered to have a strong, positive impact on plasma lipids and reduces systolic blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Side Effects of Ozempic
- Excessively low blood glucose levels (in persons with type 2 diabetes).
- Discomfort in the digestive tract, acidity, and bloating.
- Irritation, diarrhea, and constipation are some of the side effects.
- Stomach flu symptoms.
- Migraine headache, sleepiness, and tiredness.
- Pancreatitis.
- Pain in the Gallbladder.
- Swelling of the thyroid.
- Pain in the kidneys.
Conclusion
While there is no miracle weight reduction pill available at this time, there are drugs that may assist. However, in order to get the most benefits and put yourself up for long-term success, they should be taken in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Take note that some of these drugs may not be medically insured, and others may be extremely costly. In other words, if you’re interested in getting medication to help with weight loss, you may benefit from fulfilling your prescription overseas.