What is Ozempic?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription drug that’s used in people with type 2 diabetes. The product is given as an injection under your skin. Doctors may also prescribe it off-label for weight loss or weight management.
The product contains the active ingredient semaglutide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
Ozempic is a brand-name medication that’s not currently available in generic form.
Is Ozempic used for weight loss?
The product originally is not used as a weight management medication. But you might lose weight while you’re taking Ozempic. That’s because the medication decreases your appetite.
In some cases, it is prescribed off-label for weight management, it contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy, called semaglutide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Wegovy is FDA approved to be prescribed for weight management.
How Ozempic may lead to weight loss?
The product may lead to weight loss because:
- It slows down how quickly your stomach empties after eating. This slows your digestion process and can help you feel fuller for longer.
- The drug mimics a hormone called GLP-1 that your body naturally produces. This hormone increases feelings of satiety (feeling full or satisfied after eating).
These effects can also decrease your appetite.
How much weight could I lose with Ozempic?
The amount of weight you might lose during the treatment depends on a variety of factors, including how long you use the product and what your diet and exercise routine is like. It also depends on how your body responds to the drug.
Please consult with certified doctor for the effectiveness in weight loss. They can customize personalized treatment plan which suit your lifestyle.
What should be considered before taking Ozempic for weight loss?
Before starting the weight loss treatment, talk with your doctor about all the benefits and risks of using it. You should also discuss your overall health and any health conditions you may have.
Ask your doctor if Ozempic is safe for you to take if you:
- have a family history of thyroid cancer
- have problems with your pancreas
- have problems with your kidneys
- have diabetic retinopathy (damage to your eyes that’s caused by diabetes)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding
Ozempic and alcohol
You should avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol during the weight loss treatment. Large amounts of alcohol can affect your blood sugar level. This can also:
- affect your liver function
- cause dehydration
Contraindications for Ozempic treatment
Ozempic has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous.
The product has been shown to cause thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer in animals. It isn’t known if it can cause thyroid tumors or medullary thyroid cancer in humans.
If you have a family or personal history of medullary thyroid cancer or a rare endocrine condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, you should not take the product.
Talk with your doctor if you have either of these conditions or a family history of them. And be sure to call your doctor immediately if you have any signs or symptoms of a thyroid tumor while taking the injections.
Symptoms of a thyroid tumor include:
- a lump on your neck
- long-lasting hoarseness in your voice
- shortness of breath
- trouble swallowing
What should be done if Ozempic overdosed?
Do not inject the product more than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects.
Because Ozempic is injected once weekly, the effects of an overdose may last for a while. If you have overdosed, your doctor will need to monitor you closely and treat your symptoms until they’ve resolved.
Symptoms of Ozempic overdose
Overdose can cause:
- Severe low blood sugar levels (also known as diabetic shock or hypoglycemic shock). Symptoms include:
- dizziness
- feeling jittery
- mood changes
- weakness
- headache
- shakiness
- Severe nausea.
- Severe vomiting.
