Ozempic — known by the brand name Wegovy, a drug that’s injected once per week in the abdomen or thigh — can help people with obesity lose weight. It’s also been shown to lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
However, some doctors are prescribing Wegovy off-label for non-diabetes reasons like weight loss, which contributes to medication shortages and can be costly for patients.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable medication that was originally prescribed to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. The medication works by mimicking your body’s natural hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) which is released when you eat and helps control blood sugar levels and curb appetite. By mimicking the GLP-1 effect, Ozempic is able to help people feel full so they eat less and lose weight.
Like other anti-obesity medications, Ozempic can be a life-long commitment to long-term weight loss and needs to be used in conjunction with healthy eating habits and regular exercise to be effective. However, for many people who struggle with obesity, these medications provide an opportunity to finally lose the excess weight and improve their quality of life.
The drug, also known as semaglutide, is injected under the skin of your abdomen with a pre-loaded syringe. It comes in 0.25 milligram, 0.5 milligram and 1 milligram doses. The dose your doctor prescribes will depend on your condition and medical history. Your doctor may start you on a low dose and gradually increase it over four weeks before you reach the highest dosage.
There are some side effects associated with Ozempic but they are usually mild. Some common ones include nausea, vomiting, constipation and abdominal pain. The drug can also cause low blood sugar, especially if it is combined with a sulfonylurea (glimepiride, glyburide or glipizide) or insulin. It can also raise your risk of developing gallbladder disease and pancreatitis.
Another downside to taking Ozempic injection is that it can affect your vision. You should talk to your doctor about this if you are experiencing problems with your vision while on the medication. It can also increase your chances of getting thyroid cancer or other endocrine tumors.
It’s important to tell your doctor if you plan on becoming pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not known if the medication will harm an unborn baby, but you should stop taking it at least two months before trying for a baby. Your doctor will recommend other ways to control your blood sugar while you’re expecting or nursing.
How does Ozempic work?
Ozempic works by mimicking the naturally occurring hormone Glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps to regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite. The drug also slows the speed of food leaving your stomach, making you feel full longer. Ozempic can be taken with or without meals, and it is best to take it at the same time each day. It is typically prescribed in combination with other diabetes medications, such as insulin and sulfonylureas.
Side effects of Ozempic are typically mild to moderate and go away as your body gets used to the medication. Some of the most common side effects include nausea, stomach aches or cramping, and constipation or diarrhea. You may also experience bloating, weight loss, or blurred vision. Some people have also reported that their gallbladder has been affected, leading to a condition called cholecystitis. It is important to talk with your doctor if you are experiencing any of these side effects, as they may suggest ways to help manage them.
In studies of people with type 2 diabetes, Ozempic has been shown to significantly lower glycemic levels. It has been shown to be more effective than other diabetes drugs, such as sitagliptin and exenatide, and can lead to a greater decrease in HbA1c levels over a period of 10 to 13 months.
Some people have been able to lose a lot of weight when taking Ozempic, although this is not guaranteed. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions for use, including the proper diet and exercise. You will also need to monitor your blood sugar regularly, as the medication can cause your level to drop too low.
The most common side effects of Ozempic are nausea, stomach aches and cramping, constipation or diarrhea, and bloating. Rare side effects of this medication can include pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. If you are experiencing any of these side effects, it is important to call your doctor immediately.
Some people have also reported that their stomachs are numb, which can make it hard to chew and swallow. Other side effects of Ozempic can include headache, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing.
What are the side effects of Ozempic?
Ozempic is a safe and effective weight loss medication. But it does have side effects that can affect your daily life and cause discomfort. The most common side effects are stomach issues, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. These side effects are mild and usually go away with time. However, in some cases, serious side effects can occur. If you experience severe or long-lasting side effects, you should talk to your doctor right away.
Semaglutide can help you lose weight by slowing digestion and controlling how much food you eat. It also lowers blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes and reduces risk of heart disease. In a clinical trial, people who took 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide per day lost an average of about 34 pounds in 68 weeks — more than twice as much as those who didn’t take the drug.
Some people who take Ozempic develop gallstones or gallbladder disease. This happens when the gallbladder makes too much cholesterol, which can form hard deposits called gallstones. These can block the bile duct and prevent bile from moving through the body. Some of these gallstones can be large enough to cause a blockage of the intestines, a condition known as ileus.
Other possible side effects include blurred vision and eye problems caused by diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy. In animal studies, Ozempic has caused thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer, but it’s not known if this would happen in humans.
You should not use Ozempic if you are under the age of 18 or have a personal history of medullary thyroid cancer or other endocrine disorders, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia or pituitary gland issues. You should also not use the drug if you have certain health conditions, such as liver or kidney disease, heart disease or high blood pressure, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have had an organ transplant. The FDA has reviewed the available evidence and determined that a potential risk of pancreatitis cannot be excluded. The company that makes Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, has added a warning to the drug’s label to warn about this risk.
How do I take Ozempic?
If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may recommend taking Ozempic as part of your treatment plan to help manage your blood sugar levels and lose weight. You’ll start with a low dose and gradually increase it over four weeks to 30 days. Before starting treatment, be sure to tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, peptic ulcers, or any other health problems.
You’ll inject Ozempic under the skin, usually in the thigh or abdomen. The injection can be administered at any time of day with or without food, but you should try to administer it on the same day each week. If you change the day, make sure to wait at least 48 hours before resuming your schedule. It’s important to follow the dosing instructions exactly, as skipping a dose or not increasing it appropriately can lead to serious side effects.
The most common side effects of Ozempic are stomach problems, such as nausea and diarrhea. These are usually mild to moderate in severity and short-lasting. Other less common side effects of this medication include hiccups, dry mouth, inflamed pancreas, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor right away.
Some people who take Ozempic experience heartburn. This is especially true at the beginning of treatment or if their dose is increased too quickly. Some people stop treatment because of this issue. Others stop because they don’t feel the medication is working as well as they’d like.
In one study, people who took a higher dosage of this medication—2.4 milligrams of semaglutide—and followed a healthy eating plan lost weight and improved their diabetes management. In that study, people who stopped taking the drug regained two-thirds of the weight they lost over 68 weeks.
Some insurance companies cover Ozempic for patients with type 2 diabetes who are willing to use it long-term. Contact your insurance company to learn more. Some state Medicaid programs also provide coverage for this medication.
