Obesity is a common health condition in the United States whose numbers rise every year. From 1999 –2000 through 2017 – March 2020, obesity in the US increased from 30.5% to 41.9%. Weight-related medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and certain types of cancer are among the leading causes of preventable death. Weight loss can help reduce your risk of these complications. While not approved to treat obesity, diabetes drugs such as Ozempic (semaglutide) are being used off-label as weight loss medications. So who can take Ozempic for weight loss and what other information do you need to know before starting this medication?
What is Ozempic approved to treat?
Ozempic is a brand-name weekly injection manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise to:
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Control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM)
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Lower the risk of serious cardiovascular events (heart attack and stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease
Ozempic has gone viral on social media due to its off-label use as a weight loss drug. This has led to shortages for patients who use it to treat T2DM.
Ozempic should not be used if you have a personal or family history of certain types of thyroid cancer. You should also avoid this medication if you have pancreatitis and it is not FDA-approved to treat type 1 diabetes (T1DM) or diabetic ketoacidosis.
How does Ozempic work for weight loss?
The active ingredient in Ozempic, semaglutide, is a glucagon-like peptide 1 or GLP-1 receptor agonist. It works by activating these receptors. Once activated, your pancreas releases more insulin while also decreasing the production of glucagon. This leads to lower blood glucose (sugar) levels in adults with T2DM.
For weight loss, Ozempic slows down how fast your stomach empties. It also affects the areas in your brain that control appetite. This will help you feel fuller faster, leading to decreased food intake and weight loss.
Will a doctor prescribe Ozempic for weight loss?
While Ozempic is only approved to treat T2DM, some doctors prescribe it along with diet and exercise off-label for chronic weight management. It is generally used when other treatments have failed in people with obesity. This includes those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more and those who have a BMI of 27 or more that have other serious health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. Weight loss in these patients is extremely important and can help reduce the risk of serious health complications.
The active ingredient of Ozempic, semaglutide, is FDA-approved at a higher dose for use as a weight loss drug under the brand name Wegovy.
How do you use Ozempic?
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Read the Prescribing Information, Medication Guide, and Instructions for Use that come with this medication
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Use this medication exactly as prescribed to you by your doctor. Do not change your dose or discontinue taking Ozempic without talking to them first.
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Your doctor should demonstrate how to administer this medication before you give your first dose.
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Ozempic is an injection given once a week subcutaneously (under the skin) in your thigh, upper arm, or stomach, on the same day of the week. Change your injection site with each weekly injection of Ozempic. Ozempic can be given with or without food. You can change the day of the week of your injection if the last dose was given at least 2 days before.
- If you miss a dose of Ozempic, take it immediately, as long as it has been less than 5 days since your missed dose. If it has been more than 5 days, skip the dose you missed and take it on the next scheduled day.
What are the side effects of Ozempic?
The most common side effects of Ozempic include:
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Nausea
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Diarrhea
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Vomiting
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Constipation
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Abdominal pain
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
Rarely, Ozempic may cause some more serious side effects, including:
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Severe, life-threatening allergic reactions
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Increased risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
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Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
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Worsening kidney disease
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Complications of diabetic retinopathy including vision changes
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Severely low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
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Gallbladder problems and gallstones
Contact your healthcare professional for medical advice about any possible adverse effects you experience while taking Ozempic. You can report your adverse effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Are there any drug interactions with Ozempic?
When Ozempic is taken with other medications, it can change how they work or make some side effects more likely or severe. You should ask your healthcare provider if any of the prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins, or supplements you take may interact with Ozempic, including:
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Other diabetes medications such as insulin and metformin
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Oral medications, as Ozempic slows down how fast your stomach empties and can change how these medications are absorbed
Is Ozempic a stimulant?
Ozempic is not a stimulant like other weight loss drugs such as phentermine. It is an injectable medication that works differently to help adults lose weight. It slows down how quickly your stomach empties while also affecting parts of your brain that controls appetite. This helps you to eat less and lose weight.
How fast do you start losing weight with Ozempic?
It typically takes up to 3 months to get to your maintenance dose of Ozempic. This is because Ozempic is started at a low dose and slowly increased to help avoid gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. While you may see some weight loss within the first few weeks, it can take a few months at the maintenance dose. A clinical trial showed weight loss in most people taking Ozempic. The higher doses saw the most weight loss. After 40 weeks, those taking 1 mg a week of Ozempic lost an average of 13 lbs while those taking 2 mg a week of Ozempic lost an average of 15 lbs. It should be noted that these patients also made lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise while taking Ozempic.
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