Unlocking Ozempic: How It Can Help You Lose Weight

Obesity affects millions of adults and children in the UK, making it a serious public health concern. Statistics from the NHS show that as of 2020, 28% of adults in England are fat, while another 36.2% are overweight. Similarly, young children are also facing obesity at such a young age. People are trying to find methods and medications to lose weight. One such drug that has gained attention in this aspect is Ozempic.

Ozempic is the brand name of semaglutide, a drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It is an injection also used to lose weight off-label by certain patients.

What is Ozempic? 

Ozempic is a prescription drug (semaglutide) used to reduce blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. In diabetics with chronic kidney disease (CKD), it also lowers the risk of renal function decline. In some people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease, it lowers the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Ozempic imitates the natural hormone called GLP-1 that balances blood sugar and promotes feelings of fullness after meals. The drug binds and activates GLP-1 receptors, which slow stomach emptying, boost insulin release, and decrease the liver's synthesis of sugar. Improved blood sugar levels will result in weight loss, sustained fullness, and reduced hunger.

Ozempic has been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat type 2 diabetes and lower some cardiovascular risks. Your doctor could occasionally recommend Ozempic off-label to help you lose weight, but it is not FDA-approved for weight loss.

How does Ozempic work?

Olympic injections are applied once a week and lower blood sugar by acting on the stomach, liver, and pancreas. Ozempic, according to Novo Nordisk, is made to react to an increase in blood sugar by lowering sugar levels. 

Ozempic slows down the rate at which food passes through your digestive system, which aids in weight loss. This can help you feel satisfied for longer, curb your appetite, and eat less, which can help you lose weight. When Ozempic was administered for 40 weeks, individuals in clinical trials dropped an average of 14 pounds (6.4 kg).

To help you control your blood sugar, Ozempic contains the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide. It helps avoid large blood sugar spikes, and when your blood sugar fluctuates less, you feel less urge to eat. By mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, Ozempic does the following:

• encourages the pancreas to produce insulin.

• lowers the synthesis of liver sugar

• aids in regulating appetite and food intake by slowing down digestion.

Who is Ozempic prescribed to?

Your doctor will decide whether using Ozempic off-label to lose weight is safe for you. Similar to Ozempic, Wegovy is an FDA-approved medication for weight loss in obese adults and children aged 12 and up. The active ingredient in Ozempic, semaglutide, is also present in Wegovy. Adults who are obese or have at least one weight-related medical problem may also be prescribed Wegovy to help them lose weight. For instance, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and excessive cholesterol. 

These situations may also call for Ozempic. Ozempic for weight loss is regarded as an off-label application, in contrast to Wegovy. 

Using Ozempic correctly:

Your doctor will go over how to take the Ozempic shot with you before you use it for the first time. Instructions on how to properly use Ozempic can also be found in the patient information that comes with your prescription.

Inject Ozempic once a week beneath the skin in the stomach, upper arm, or thigh. Avoid injecting Ozempic into your veins or muscles. Every week, switch up where you inject Ozempic, and avoid sharing your injector pens with other people.

Ozempic comes in dosages of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg. To allow your body to adjust to the drug, you might begin taking 0.25 mg for four weeks before switching to 0.5 mg. Depending on whether a patient needs blood sugar control or is using the medication off-label to lose weight, doctors will change the dosage.

Ozempic side effects:

Mild to severe side effects are possible when Ozempic is used off-label for weight loss. Some of the most common adverse effects listed in Ozempic's clinical studies for FDA-approved purposes are shown below. Off-label use of Ozempic for weight loss is anticipated to have comparable negative effects.

Consult your physician or pharmacist for details on further possible side effects of the medication. You can also consult the prescribing instructions for Ozempic. 

Mild side effects include:

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Slight increase in heart rate

• Changes in sense of taste

• Injection site reaction

• Digestive problems like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and constipation

These side effects could only last a few days to a few weeks. However, it's crucial to speak with your doctor or pharmacist if they persist for an extended period, annoy you, or get worse.

Serious side effects of Ozempic are:

Despite being uncommon, Ozempic use can have major adverse effects. These may consist of:

• Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia

• pancreatitis, or pancreatic inflammation

• kidney issues, including renal failure

• Thyroid cancer risk is associated with gallbladder illness, which can include gallstones or cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation) 

If you have any severe adverse effects while taking Ozempic, contact your doctor immediately. Call 911 or your local emergency number right away if any of the adverse effects seem life-threatening or if you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency. 

Ozempic for weight loss:

Research has shown that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, is effective in helping people lose weight. It's critical that people keep up their weight loss efforts by maintaining healthy food and exercise habits.

Ozempic is not authorized to help people lose weight. Semaglutide, however, is authorized for weight loss under the brand name Wegovy. Compared to Wegovy, Ozempic contains a lower dosage of semaglutide.

It's crucial to remember that if you begin using one of these medications to lose weight, your body can adjust and create a new normal. As a result, your weight may hit a plateau. Studies have indicated that stopping Ozempic (or Wegovy) will probably cause you to regain the weight you lost.

How can you lose the most weight with Ozempic?

The easiest method to lose weight with Ozempic is to maintain an active lifestyle and consume a nutritious diet low in calories, fat, and sugar.  Your doctor may recommend that you consult a dietitian to assist you learn about meal planning and food choices,

Exercise on most days of the week can improve your mood, help you reach your goals, and aid in weight loss. Consult your healthcare practitioner about the best method to gradually introduce exercise into your routine if you haven't worked out in a while or if you have any medical conditions. Working with a trainer or a physical therapist may prove beneficial, especially at the outset.

Also, precisely follow your doctor's dosage recommendations. Lower dosages will be used at the beginning of treatment to assist you with any stomach side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or pain. These side effects usually subside with time and are mild to moderate.

Is taking Ozempic for weight loss beneficial?

By helping patients lose weight, Ozempic can lower their risk of developing heart problems and many other major health issues. Some obese patients may also benefit from semaglutide therapies as an alternative to bariatric surgery. Compared to medication, surgery typically results in a significantly bigger and longer-lasting reduction in weight.

Unless they have type 2 diabetes, experts continue to advise against using Ozempic.

Conclusion:

We know that Ozempic is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, but it can also aid in weight loss by decreasing caloric intake and hunger. 

However, one has to be mindful of potential side effects such as nausea or dehydration if you choose to try Ozempic. You will have the best chance of success if you combine the medication with positive lifestyle changes. Losing weight is difficult, but drugs like Ozempic may help make it easier to handle.