At some point, you may have heard of or learned about a medication meant to help people lose weight. In recent years, the Type 2 Diabetic drug, Ozempic, has been studied and proven to accelerate weight loss in obese individuals. Good news, right? However, there’s still much that must be understood about the drug and how it works.
That’s where we come in.
If you’re curious about Ozempic and how it might be the key to losing weight, or you want to discuss it with your healthcare provider, you may want to know all the facts.
Below, you’ll find everything that you should know about Ozempic:
What Is Ozempic?
The FDA-approved Ozempic is used primarily to treat individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. However, many studies have concluded that while the medication improves blood sugar levels and lowers hemoglobin A1C, it also contains a weight loss compound known as Semaglutide, which essentially helps with weight loss, as seen in Ozempic before and after results.
Because Ozempic was developed to assist people with Type 2 Diabetes, it isn’t recommended unless you have diabetes or are referred by your doctor.
How Does Ozempic Work?
As mentioned, liraglutide is the component that assists with weight loss in people who take Ozempic. Studies have shown that those who took a 1mg dose of Ozempic a week lost nearly 10 pounds over 30 weeks.
So how does it work exactly?
Ozempic mimics the GLP-1 hormone that affects the hunger center in the brain. As well, Ozempic slows down the rate at which your stomach empties food and causes your pancreas to release insulin and block the hormones that release sugar from your liver. Altogether, these side effects make you feel less hungry, meaning you’re likely to eat less food, contributing to weight loss.
Dosage
Remember that Ozempic is not insulin. It acts as the GLP-1 hormone and regulates blood sugar levels for people with Type 2 Diabetes. It isn’t recommended that non-diabetics use Ozempic.
Only a doctor can prescribe it as treatment.
Doctors may recommend you start with a low dosage of 0.25 mg to help your body adjust to the medication and offset the common side effects, such as nausea or constipation. The dosage will increase over the course of your treatment for 8 weeks until you’ve reached the correct dose at
1 mg per injection.
You’ll be responsible for administering the injection, but it isn’t as complex as you may think. You’ll receive an Ozempic pen along with pre-filled injections and single-use needles.
Is Ozempic Safe To Use?
Ozempic is FDA-approved and has shown effective weight loss results. While many benefits can be had from using this medication, you should consult your doctor to determine if it’s right for you.
There are some people that may not benefit from using Ozempic, especially those with Type 1 Diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, pancreatitis, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). In addition, individuals under 18 or women that are pregnant/breastfeeding should not be taking Ozempic.
Are There Side Effects?
The common side effects associated with Ozempic are typically gastrointestinal. You may experience the following:
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Thankfully, most of the side effects are short-term and usually wear off in 2-3 days depending on the dosage you inject.
There are also some less common side effects that patients may discover, such as:
- Hypoglycemia
- Allergic reactions
- Kidney and gallbladder issues
- Vision changes
- Pancreatitis
Is Ozempic Right for You?
Individuals living with Type 2 Diabetes and are overweight should consult their doctor or healthcare provider to see if Ozempic is a suitable treatment choice. Not only can it assist with blood glucose levels, but it can also help people regulate their weight. For some patients, weight may be a great concern when dealing with Type 2 Diabetes.
It’s important to remember that everyone loses weight at their own pace. The effects of Ozempic could be different from one person to the next. Some patients have noticed major differences at 20 weeks, while others notice them at 48 weeks or more. The dosage amount and whether you’re exercising in moderation with the injections can impact how quickly you see results.
If you’re overweight and dealing with Type 2 Diabetes, you may consider discussing Ozempic as a treatment method with your doctor. It’s paramount that your doctor clears you to ensure that the medication doesn’t pose a threat to your overall health. The last thing you want is to experience severe symptoms. We hope our details help you on your journey.
