Ozempic (semaglutide)

Description

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is used for type 2 diabetes to improve blood sugar levels and lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death for adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Ozempic for weight loss has been shown to be effective in clinical trials. Ozempic is given as a once-weekly injection under the skin of the belly, the thigh, or the upper arm using an autoinjector (pen).

Ozempic works by helping the pancreas release more insulin, decreasing the amount of sugar your liver makes, and slowing the rate food passes through your body, making you feel full longer. This helps to lower blood sugar levels and lowers the risk of a major cardiovascular event.

Ozempic is a GLP-1 agonist that works the same way as a natural hormone made in our gut called GLP-1. GLP-1 controls insulin release and gut emptying and regulates appetite and food intake. Ozempic works by binding to GLP-1 receptors, which results in lower blood sugar and A1C levels and may also reduce appetite to help with weight loss.

Ozempic is FDA-approved to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes. It should be used together with diet and exercise.

Ozempic for weight loss

Ozempic for weight loss has shown to be successful with patients losing weight in clinical trials. The amount of weight lost with Ozempic 0.5mg was 2.6 kg more than the placebo group, and the amount of weight loss with Ozempic 1mg was 3.5 kg more than the placebo group after the 30-week trial. Ozempic is currently not an FDA-approved weight loss medicine.

Ozempic side effects

Common Ozempic side effects

Common Ozempic side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation, upset stomach, heartburn, burping, gas, bloating, loss of appetite, runny nose or sore throat, stomach flu symptoms or headache, dizziness, tiredness and low blood sugar (in people with type 2 diabetes).

Serious Ozempic side effects.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, itching, dizziness, fast heartbeats, difficult breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

vision changes;

unusual mood changes, thoughts about hurting yourself;

pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

signs of a thyroid tumor – swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, feeling short of breath;

symptoms of pancreatitis – severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea with or without vomiting, fast heart rate;

gallbladder problems – upper stomach pain, fever, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

low blood sugar–headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery;

kidney problems – swelling, urinating less, blood in urine, feeling tired or short of breath

stomach flu symptoms – stomach cramps, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea (may be watery or bloody)
symptoms of ileus (stomach paralysis) – bloating, stomach cramps or pain, nausea or vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite.