Obesity is a chronic illness that frequently co-occurs with other diseases including diabetes and high blood pressure. People who have one or more of these diseases can frequently benefit greatly from well-managed weight loss. Losing weight is essential for lowering negative outcomes and raising general quality of life, in addition to taking the right medications and other healthy lifestyle changes like changing nutrition and exercising more.
Some medications are specifically approved as weight loss drugs, while others, like Ozempic, may have an “off-label” reputation for helping with weight loss in addition to their primary purpose. If you’ve been seeking an effective weight loss medication, you may have come across Ozempic and wondered what it might offer.
The purpose of this article is to give you information that will enable you to have a more informed conversation with your primary healthcare practitioner about the use of Ozempic for weight loss.
Ozempic: What Is It?
Ozempic (semaglutide), a prescription injectable drug made by Novo Nordisk, is used to treat adults with Type 2 Diabetes. It enhances blood sugar regulation while lowering the danger of severe cardiovascular problems. Ozempic, a non-insulin diabetic medicine, supports the body’s innate capacity to decrease blood sugar levels by encouraging the release of insulin from the pancreas. Additionally, it slows down the passage of food from the stomach and stops the liver from creating and releasing more glucose.
Subcutaneously (under the skin of the stomach, abdomen, thigh, or upper arm) is how Ozempic is commonly administered. To develop tolerance and lessen side effects, the recommended approach is to start with a lower starting dose (0.25 mg) and work your way up to a larger dose (0.5, 1, or 2 mg). You may read the whole dosing information for Ozempic here.
How Does Ozempic Help You Lose Weight?
Although Ozempic is primarily licensed to treat Type 2 Diabetes, it frequently also helps people lose weight in a healthy way. Let’s look at some gut chemistry to better grasp how. For those considering alternatives, understanding the Ozempic vs. Rybelsus comparison can provide valuable insights into choosing the best option for your needs.
The incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is frequently produced at lower-than-average levels in people with obesity and/or Type 2 Diabetes. Along with other incretin hormones produced naturally by the small intestine, GLP-1 plays a significant part in blood sugar regulation and alerts the body when food has been ingested and is ready to be processed. These signals ultimately lead to satiety or fullness sensations.
Ozempic effectively mimics the actions of GLP-1 found in nature. It also slows down the rate at which food moves through your digestive tract, enabling you to feel fuller for a longer period of time, in addition to assisting in the regulation of blood sugar levels and communicating feelings of fullness to your brain, endocrine, and digestive systems.
Having a full stomach might assist to curb cravings and encourage weight loss. However, Ozempic doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Additionally, crucial components of the equation are a healthy diet and consistent exercise.
On Ozempic, how long does it take to lose weight?
The effects of Ozempic vary from person to person, just like they do with any medicine. The rate at which Ozempic may help you lose weight may depend on a variety of circumstances because healthy weight loss is a gradual process. Your individual biology and chemistry as well as your genetic history, medical history, nutrition, lifestyle, and level of activity will all be taken into consideration.
Clinical studies, however, indicate that weight loss may begin within the first 20 weeks of taking Ozempic and may continue for up to 48 additional weeks or more. Patients on semaglutide lost an average of 33.7 lbs (15.3 kg) over 68 weeks at a 2.4 mg weekly dose in Ozempic’s STEP 1 clinical trial. After 68 weeks at the same dosage in the STEP 2 clinical trial, participants had dropped almost 10% of their body weight.
Is Ozempic a Valid Weight Loss Supplement?
No. Only as a prescription drug for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes is Ozempic FDA-approved. Although it is frequently a side effect, Ozempic is not recognized as a weight loss medication.
Talk to your doctor about Wegovy, an injectable semaglutide drug identical to Ozempic, if you’re considering using it for weight loss but don’t have Type 2 Diabetes. Wegovy, a weight loss medication made by Novo Nordisk, was just authorized by the FDA.
Who Can Take Ozempic?
Adults with Type 2 Diabetes who have been diagnosed should take Ozempic. People with Type 1 Diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, or a history of pancreatitis shouldn’t take it.
As with any drug, it’s important to see your doctor before deciding whether Ozempic may be the best choice for your specific situation.
Side Effects Ozempic may cause side effects when first used, but they should subside as your body becomes used to higher amounts. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain are typical adverse effects.
Talk to your main healthcare practitioner about any worries you may have.
Risks and Reminders
Serious side effects from Ozempic are conceivable but unlikely. Pancreatitis, diabetic retinopathy, decreased renal function, severe allergic reactions, such as swelling of the tongue, lips, or face, dizziness, or a racing heart, are important warning signs to keep an eye out for. Additionally, it is advised against using Ozempic if you or anybody in your family has ever experienced Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2 (MEN 2) or Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC).
Conclusion
Adults with Type 2 Diabetes are treated with the injectable drug Ozempic in conjunction with dietary modifications and increased physical activity. Additionally, by slowing down digestion and enhancing feelings of satiety, it can aid in healthy weight loss. It’s important to use Ozempic as directed to avoid potential risks; for example, it’s crucial to know what will happen overdose on Ozempic to ensure safe and effective use.
As of right now, Ozempic is not recognized as a weight loss supplement. However, Wegovy, a comparable injectable semaglutide drug, has recently been.
This article’s background material is aimed to help you and your doctor further consider if Ozempic might be a suitable treatment for you. Always consult your primary healthcare practitioner before making any medical decisions.
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