Ozempic has become one of the hottest topics in recent medical science, attracting the attention of celebrities, social media influencers, and doctors. No wonder Ozempic is making headlines with glowing praise from all areas of life. But here’s the catch: Ozempic isn’t FDA-approved for weight loss. Wegovy is the medication with same primary ingredient “Semaglutide” approved by the FDA to lose weight. However, due to its high demand, some doctors switched to Ozempic when Wegovy was scarce. So, why exactly is Ozempic helping people shed those extra pounds if not for weight loss? If you have also come here with the same question let’s get into the interesting effects of this rumored weight loss pill and bust the myths.
What Is Ozempic?
Ozempic is the brand name for a medicine called semaglutide, which is sold under the brand name Wegovy, too. Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable FDA-approved medication to treat type 2 diabetes. Whereas, Wegovy has been approved to help people lose weight when they have both obesity and weight-related health problems. Both are commonly known by their generic name, semaglutide.
Is Ozempic approved for weight loss?
Ozempic is used in type 2 diabetes as its primary endpoint in most clinical trials is change in A1C in type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. Wegovy brand of semaglutide is approved for weight loss in obese or overweight patients who also have weight-related medical conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or cholesterol.
However, due to the growing demand both Ozempic and Wegovy are prescribed for weight loss, but Ozempic is not approved as a weight loss pill and is used off-label for obesity as both are considered sister drugs and the only difference between them is the amount of semaglutide.
How does Ozempic cause weight loss?
The secret behind this weight loss is semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, which works like a natural hormone called GLP-1. When we eat, GLP-1 tells our body it’s time to use up the energy from food and helps us feel full.
Here’s how it works:
Feeling Full: Semaglutide causes your brain to believe you’ve eaten enough, so you don’t feel as hungry. This means you’re more likely to eat less, which can help you lose weight.
Managing Blood Sugar: Semaglutide also stimulates your pancreas to create insulin. Insulin is required to transport sugar from your bloodstream into your cells, where it is used for energy. This is especially beneficial for persons who have type 2 diabetes, but it also aids with weight management by indicating cells to use fat rather than to store it.
Reduces Sugar Secretion: Ozempic causes your pancreas to release glucagon, a hormone that tells your liver not to release too much sugar into your bloodstream. When glucagon is low, your liver releases less sugar, keeping your blood sugar levels stable.
Slows Down Digestion: Ozempic slows down the movement of food from your stomach. This means you stay full longer, which helps you control your appetite and keep your blood sugar stable.
How Ozempic fits into your overall weight loss plan?
Ozempic can offer significant benefits to people who are overweight or obese, including reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and controlling blood sugar levels. Sometimes, diet and exercise alone are not enough, and Ozempic can help you reach your weight loss goals. Like shedding 5% to 10% of your weight might improve cholesterol levels and blood pressure, and help in recovering from obstructive sleep apnea and other conditions. That’s why doctors prescribe Ozempic combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, helping you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Here’s how Ozempic can complement your entire weight management strategy:
Balanced Diet: Eating three small meals and two light snacks each day will help you regulate your blood sugar, stay energized, and satisfy your hunger. Plan nutritious meals and snacks that contain protein, carbohydrates, fiber, fruits, and vegetables. This method allows you to avoid high-fat, salty, and sugary foods. Also, do not skip meals, as this might cause nausea, which is a common adverse effect of Ozempic.
Exercise: Regular exercise is important for weight loss and overall health. If you’re new, start with light exercise like a morning walk. Add strength training to keep the muscles engaged and allow them to stretch and maximize flexibility. Aim for 200 to 250 minutes of exercise per week as you build endurance.
Medication: Now, along with these lifestyle changes you can take Ozempic but it’s important to get Ozempic after consulting with your doctor to make sure it is safe for you.
How Long Will It Take To Lose Weight on Ozempic?
How much weight you lose depends on your Ozempic dose. The starting Ozempic dose for Type 2 diabetes is 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks which will not show any results on your blood glucose or weight and is only meant to help your body get used to the medication. But after that, your dose is increased to 0.5 mg once a week.
During clinical trials, people taking the 0.5 mg dose lost around 8 lbs over 30 weeks. For some people, this dose isn’t enough for adequate blood glucose control. If needed, the dose may be increased in 4-week intervals up to a maximum of 2 mg once weekly.
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.
Compared to Ozempic, Wegovy has a higher target dose — 2.4 mg once weekly. During the first 20 weeks (5 months) of treatment, people taking it during clinical trials lost 10% of their starting body weight. An additional 8% body weight loss was seen over the 48 weeks (about 11 months) that followed and that’s why it is approved particularly for weight loss.
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