Ozempic: How it works, its benefits and side effects explained

Ozempic is a prescription drug used to cope with situations associated to excessive blood sugar ranges and for diabetes administration. It’s particularly used for sufferers with Sort 2 diabetes, which impacts thousands and thousands of individuals globally. This power situation accounts for roughly 90 % of individuals with diabetes, in accordance with the World Well being Group. It’s clearly a world concern, which is why makes an attempt are at all times made to handle or deal with it. Semaglutide, a drugs offered below totally different model names, together with Ozempic, has emerged as a option to handle the situation. It has additionally gained consideration attributable to its weight reduction advantages. Earlier than taking this prescribed remedy, know the way it works, its advantages and potential uncomfortable side effects.

What’s Ozempic?

Ozempic is the model identify for semaglutide, a drugs developed by the Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk. “It’s a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which suggests it mimics the motion of a naturally occurring hormone within the physique known as GLP-1,” shares inner medication knowledgeable Dr Sanchayan Roy. The US Meals and Drug Administration authorized the injectable remedy to be used by folks with diabetes in America in 2017. It’s administered by way of a once-weekly injection, usually within the stomach, thigh or higher arm, utilizing a prefilled injection pen.

How does Ozempic work?

It really works by rising the degrees of incretins, the intestine hormones produced by the abdomen everytime you eat one thing. It helps your physique to provide extra insulin everytime you want it, and reduces the quantity of sugar that’s produced by your liver. It additionally slows down how shortly the meals you eat will get digested. All this helps to convey down blood sugar ranges.

It’s began at a low dose and steadily elevated to enhance tolerability:

Week 1–4: 0.25 mg as soon as every week
Week 5–8: 0.5 mg as soon as every week
Upkeep dose: 1 mg or 2 mg as soon as every week, relying on blood sugar management or weight objectives.

Your physician will determine the suitable upkeep dose primarily based on how your physique responds.

Ozempic and diabetes

In folks with sort 2 diabetes, this remedy might assist to regulate blood sugar ranges within the following methods:

• Will increase insulin secretion: It helps the pancreas launch extra insulin after meals, however solely when blood sugar ranges are excessive.
• Decreases glucagon ranges: It reduces the discharge of glucagon, a hormone that will increase blood sugar ranges.
• Slows gastric emptying: It delays the motion of meals from the abdomen to the intestines, stopping post-meal spikes in blood sugar.

“All this results in a extra steady and decrease common blood glucose stage,” says Dr Roy.

Ozempic for weight reduction

Though Ozempic was developed for diabetes, its appetite-suppressing results have made it fashionable amongst individuals who need to shed pounds, even these with out diabetes. Throughout a examine, revealed in The New England Journal Of Medication, chubby or overweight individuals got 2.4 mg of semaglutide as soon as weekly. Plus, wholesome way of life adjustments have been made. It was discovered that this mix helped in sustained discount in physique weight.

Right here’s the way it works as a weight reduction drug:

• Delays abdomen emptying: You are feeling full for longer, lowering the frequency and amount of meals.
• Reduces urge for food: By performing on the mind’s appetite-regulating facilities, Ozempic reduces starvation and meals cravings.

How you can get Ozempic?

It’s a prescription remedy, so that you’ll must seek the advice of a physician to find out if it’s appropriate for you. It’s mostly prescribed for:

• Folks with sort 2 diabetes.
• People with weight problems or chubby although Wegovy, one other model identify that was authorized by FDA for weight reduction, is often really useful for this function.

As soon as prescribed, it may be picked up at a pharmacy or ordered by way of mail-order pharmacies.

What are the uncomfortable side effects of Ozempic?

Like all medicines, Ozempic could cause uncomfortable side effects, although not everybody experiences them. Throughout a examine, revealed in StatPearls, practically one-fifth of all individuals in scientific trials with Ozempic skilled nausea, the commonest aspect impact of this remedy. Listed here are different widespread uncomfortable side effects of Ozempic:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Abdomen ache or bloating
• Burping or fuel

Much less widespread, however critical uncomfortable side effects embrace:

• Pancreatitis (irritation of the pancreas), which might trigger extreme stomach ache, particularly with vomiting.
• Gallbladder points reminiscent of gallstones.
• Kidney issues often attributable to dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea.

Is hair loss a aspect impact of Ozempic?

“Hair loss just isn’t a direct aspect impact of Ozempic, however some folks might expertise hair loss, particularly throughout vital weight reduction,” says the knowledgeable. Listed here are just a few doable causes:

• Speedy weight reduction can set off telogen effluvium, a typical situation the place hair sheds attributable to sudden physique adjustments.
• Caloric restriction or altered consuming patterns may scale back consumption of iron, protein, or biotin, that are vitamins important for hair well being.

If hair loss turns into noticeable after utilizing this remedy, seek the advice of a physician or dermatologist. “A balanced food plan and presumably dietary supplements can assist counteract the drug’s results,” says the knowledgeable.

Ozempic has been discovered efficient in diabetes and weight administration. Nevertheless, the once-weekly answer might include uncomfortable side effects, which is why it ought to at all times be used below medical supervision.