You've probably heard about the medication Ozempic, used to manage type 2 diabetes and as a weight loss drug. Ozempic (and the similar drug Wegovy) has had more than its fair share of headlines and controversies.
The latest buzzy diabetes drug semaglutide—better known by brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus—is drawing attention for its ability to both control blood sugar and cause weight loss.
Semaglutide is commonly known as Ozempic, the brand name for the drug when prescribed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Ozempic has been widely used off-label for weight loss; the same drug, branded as Wegovy, is now approved for weight management in Australia, but is not currently available.
Cite this: FDA Approves New Type 2 Diabetes Drug Bexagliflozin - Medscape - Jan 23, 2023.
Higher doses do not provide additional body weight reduction benefits but may increase side effects. It can take 3-4 months to achieve the maximum weight loss at a stable dose. Weight loss may continue for up to 2 years on Ozempic based on studies.
On average, a user can lose about 3 to 5% of their body weight after using Ozempic for a month regularly. This equates to about 4 to 6 pounds on average. Using a higher potency of the drug may result in more weight loss, but it isn't recommended that you start taking it right away.
Other serious side effects of Ozempic include thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, changes in vision, hypoglycemia, gallbladder issues, kidney failure and cancer. The most severe complications Shah sees in her patients are pancreatitis and gallbladder issues — either can lead to hospitalization.
While metformin is a more common first-choice medication for Type 2 diabetes, weight loss is more likely with Ozempic. Ozempic can also lower your risk of heart attack and stroke if you have diabetes and heart disease. And it has been shown to have potential benefits for the kidneys.
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Wegovy is one of several new “miracle” drugs that promise to revolutionize the weight-loss industry. Praised by celebrities and social media influencers, Wegovy was approved for use in the U.S., as well as in the U.K.'s free healthcare system, where it will be available to patients in spring 2023.
Semaglutide injections for weight loss
The typical dose for weight loss is 2.4 milligrams, administered weekly as subcutaneous (under the skin) self-injections. But as interest in semaglutide for weight loss continues to grow, health care professionals are finding ways to manage the demand.
The drugs include Ozempic's sister medication, Wegovy, a weight loss drug with identical ingredients, which the FDA approved in 2021, and Mounjaro, approved as a diabetes treatment in 2022. (Ozempic was approved for diabetes in 2017.) Several other drugs are in development.
Ozempic is also used off-label for weight loss. In particular, it can help reduce the amount of belly fat. This is because Ozempic works by making you feel fuller for longer, which can help you resist overeating by controlling cravings and hunger.
It is not known if Ozempic® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people. Do not use Ozempic® if you or any of your family have ever had MTC, or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
In general, more weight loss and better blood glucose control are seen with higher Ozempic doses. During a 40-week study, people receiving the 1 mg Ozempic dose lost an average of 13 lbs. And people receiving the 2 mg Ozempic dose lost an average of 15 lbs.
The most common side effects when using Ozempic® are diarrhoea and nausea. These side effects are usually mild and normally decrease with continued use. Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you.
You start feeling those usual hunger pangs again, and consequently, you may start eating more to satisfy that hunger. An increase in your consumption can lead to the regaining of weight that was lost. A 2022 study found that most individuals gain weight back a year after stopping the medication.
If you take Wegovy or Ozempic to lose weight, will you need to keep taking the drugs indefinitely? Yes. As with many chronic conditions, most people who use the drugs for diabetes or weight loss will need to keep taking them to keep benefiting from them.
Ozempic can cause nausea and vomiting if taken after eating foods high in fat or sugar. It is recommended that you take Ozempic before meals, rather than after, to minimise any potential side effects from eating high-fat or high-sugar foods.
Still, Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications will be most effective for weight loss and blood sugar control when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Generally, eating healthy foods and avoiding foods high in sugar, calories, and unhealthy fats while taking Ozempic helps.
Once you use Ozempic, you should experience increased satiety, which helps your body to gradually adjust and begin to lose weight. In general, most people lose a minimum of 5% of their starting weight when they use Ozempic.