Every so often, a new medicine enters the market and makes such an impact that it quickly becomes well-known. Perhaps it gives treatment for a problem that was previously incurable, offers a safer or less complicated medication alternative, or is just more effective than any other medication in its niche.
One such medication that fits under the third group is semaglutide. Due to its reputation for effective weight loss management, it has recently generated a lot of attention. However, it also excels in other areas.
The main component of several well-known prescription drugs is semaglutide. It is a blood sugar-regulating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Semaglutide drugs can aid in healthy weight loss in people with obesity or other weight-related illnesses. They are mostly used to treat patients with Type 2 Diabetes and associated cardiovascular diseases.
The three most recent semaglutide drugs that have rocked the pharmaceutical industry are summarized here. With good results in clinical studies, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelus are all currently in great demand.
Rybelus vs. Wegovy vs. Ozempic
The prescription semaglutide drugs Ozempic, Wevogy, and Rybelus are all produced and distributed by Novo Nordisk in Denmark. Rybelus is a pill, whilst Ozempic and Wegovy are available as injectable pens prefilled with liquid medication. Although each of the three drugs has a slightly different approved use, they all aid in blood sugar management.
Ozempic
The FDA has approved the prescription drug Ozempic, an injectable semaglutide, for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in adults. It enhances blood sugar regulation while lowering the risk of serious 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 often administered. It works best when healthy lifestyle changes like food and exercise are added to it.
Wegovy
The FDA has approved Wegovy, a weekly semaglutide injectable available exclusively by prescription, to treat obesity and encourage healthy weight loss. Although it is typically taken at a slightly greater dose (2.4 mg), it has the same effects as Ozempic. Wegovy slows down the digestion process and increases fullness feelings.
Wegovy works best when combined with healthy lifestyle changes including diet and exercise. It is administered subcutaneously, beneath the skin of the stomach, abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
Rybelsus
A daily dose of the tablet form of the semaglutide drug Rybelsus is recommended. It helps people with Type 2 Diabetes lower blood sugar levels and is most effective when combined with healthy lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise. The first thing in the morning, at least 30 minutes before any food or other prescriptions, is when Rybelsus is taken.
Without chewing, crushing, or cutting the Rybelsus pills, it is crucial to drink them whole. Every day, they must be taken at the same time and according to the same protocol.
Precautions
Your doctor will carefully examine the risks and advantages before writing you a prescription for semaglutide. Despite the fact that semaglutide has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of weight reduction, cardiovascular disease, and glycemic control, there are several situations in which it might not be the best or safest choice.
Here is a list of inquiries to assist you in remembering the proper safety measures:
Have you previously experienced an allergic response to semaglutide or any other prescription ingredients?
Do you have a background that includes:
- Gallbladder issues; Pancreatitis; Diabetic Retinopathy
- Kidney illness and digestive issues?
- Do you frequently drink alcohol? (Dangerous blood sugar levels can occur if you drink alcohol while taking semaglutide.)
- Do you take any more medications, including herbal remedies?
- Do you now breastfeed, plan to breastfeed, or are you pregnant? (Semaglutide should be stopped by both men and women at least two months prior to trying to conceive. It is not recommended for use by pregnant or nursing women.)
- Do you or anybody in your family have a history of thyroid cancer? (Semaglutide has been linked to thyroid c cell tumor formation in mice; the risk to humans is uncertain.)
- Have you ever had Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2 (MEN 2) or Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC)?
When taken with alcohol or specific other drugs, semaglutide medications have the potential to cause acute renal injury and low blood sugar. A delayed or skipped snack or meal, as well as increased exercise while taking semaglutide, can also cause low blood sugar.
Wearing a medical ID is always advised when taking semaglutide in case of emergency. Additionally, it is advised to make careful travel arrangements and seek medical advice for a more thorough understanding of how semaglutide may affect your future.
Efficacy of Semaglutide
The incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is frequently produced at lower-than-average levels in people with Type 2 Diabetes and/or obesity. 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.
Semaglutide effectively mimics the effects of GLP-1 found in nature. It also slows down how quickly food moves through your digestive tract, which helps to control blood sugar levels and lets your brain, endocrine, and digestive systems know when you’re full.
Human GLP-1 and semaglutide are 95 percent identical. There are three main effects it has on the body:
- To stimulate insulin release when blood sugar levels are high.
- To limit the amount of glucose released into circulation from liver reserves
- To suppress hunger
How Should I Take Semaglutide?
Depending on the form of the drug you’ve been prescribed, semaglutide can be taken in a variety of ways:
Including Ozempic and Wegovy
Both Wegovy and Ozempic are injectable medicines. The abdomen, thigh, or upper arm make for the finest injection sites. It is advised to switch up injection locations every week. If you choose to visit the same website more than once, use a different region of the site each time to lessen annoyance throughout the entire area.
Wegovy and Ozempic should never be injected intravenously (into a vein) or intramuscularly (under the skin). Instead, they should always be administered subcutaneously (under the skin).
Although it is feasible to administer both insulin and Ozempic or Wegovy at the same site, the two drugs should never be combined and should be administered in different parts of the site. Never administer insulin and semaglutide with the same needle. Additionally, never provide more than one semaglutide injection at once.
