Medical Review by Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM
Summary
- Ozempic® (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients when lifestyle changes are insufficient. It helps produce more insulin, reduces glucagon release, and decreases liver sugar production.
- Ozempic® is also associated with weight loss, although it is not FDA-approved for weight management. It requires a prescription and is administered as a weekly injection.
- Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Serious risks involve pancreatitis, vision changes, hypoglycemia, kidney issues, and the possibility of a rare type of inheritable thyroid cancer. Discuss your health history and potential side effects with a healthcare provider before taking Ozempic®.
- Ozempic® should be injected into the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. Proper injection technique and monitoring of interactions with other medications, such as thyroid hormones and diabetes medications, are essential.
Learn what Ozempic® can do to help with diabetes & more
Diabetes is a serious health problem that affects more than 38 million Americans, most of whom live with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A key part of managing this disease involves controlling the levels of glucose in your blood—but sometimes, changing your lifestyle isn’t enough to do this on its own.
If you are struggling to manage type 2 diabetes, one medication you may be interested in is Ozempic® (semaglutide). In the article below, we discuss what Ozempic® is, how it works, and what you should be aware of before talking with your healthcare provider about whether or not it could be right for you.
What is Ozempic®?
Ozempic® is a branded version of semaglutide, which belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. It is used to control blood sugar in combination with diet and exercise when lifestyle modifications or other treatments are not enough.
How Ozempic® works
Semaglutide works to lower your blood sugar by activating specific receptors in your body (GLP-1 receptors). Here are the main ways it causes your blood sugar levels to drop:
- Helps your body produce more insulin when you have high blood sugar, which helps move glucose out of your bloodstream
- Reduces the release of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels
- Decreases the production of sugar in the liver, which lowers your blood sugar levels before and after meals
The benefits of Ozempic®
Better blood test scores
The main benefit of taking semaglutide via Ozempic® injections is that it lowers your HbA1C levels. HbA1C is a test that shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 90 days as a percentage.
If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about how often to check your HbA1C levels. You should take this test twice a year if your diabetes is stable and well-controlled, or every 3 months if it isn’t.
Weight loss
One of the most talked-about aspects of Ozempic® has been its association with weight loss. Although Ozempic® has not been approved by the FDA for weight management, another drug with higher levels of semaglutide, called Wegovy®, has been.
Semaglutide has been shown to reduce total body weight in overweight or obese patients, in both clinical trials and everyday clinical settings. But, no matter why you might be interested in Ozempic®, it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider about the side effects and risks of taking it beforehand.
Possible side effects of Ozempic®
Like all medications, Ozempic® can have side effects that range from mild to severe. You can explore the complete safety information for Ozempic® here, but we’ve summarized some of the key points below.
Common side effects
If you experience side effects while taking Ozempic®, the most likely ones are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and constipation. You may be able to reduce any feelings of nausea you experience by following these simple tips:
- Avoid rich foods, as well as food that is fried, greasy, or sweet. Instead, stick to low-fat foods with mild flavors.
- Eat slowly and avoid lying down after meals.
- Eat foods containing water (like soup), and drink clear or ice-cold drinks.
- Spend time outdoors to get fresh air.
Serious side effects
Some of the side effects that are possible with Ozempic® can be much more serious and require medical attention. Severe side effects of Ozempic® can include these:
- Pancreatitis: A condition where your pancreas becomes inflamed.
- Vision changes including blurred vision.
- Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar, which can come with feelings of being dizzy, blurry vision, mood changes, jitters, and other feelings that are difficult to regulate like hunger or fatigue.
- Kidney problems, including possible kidney failure.
- Serious allergic reactions: These include swelling, rash, and potential breathing problems.
- Gallbladder problems: Talk to your doctor if you experience upper stomach pain, fever, a yellow-ish tinge to your skin, or discolored bowel movements.
Warning: Risk of Thyroid C-Cell Tumors
Ozempic® has been associated with a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors in animal studies. Specifically, in rodent studies, semaglutide—an active ingredient in Ozempic®—has caused thyroid C-cell tumors. While it remains unclear if this risk extends to humans, it is important to recognize the precautionary measures and contraindication.
Cancer risks associated with Ozempic®
There has been some research showing an increased risk of a rare type of inherited thyroid cancer in people who take GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic® for 1-3 years. Talk to your healthcare provider about this risk before taking Ozempic® to make sure you understand it fully. On the other hand, a newer study suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists (including Ozempic®) may help reduce the risk of many obesity-associated cancers in patients who have type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity.
How to get Ozempic®
Ozempic® cannot be purchased over the counter—you will need a prescription. It’s also important to understand that because Ozempic® is only FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes, using it as a weight loss drug is considered an off-label use.
In other words, you might have more difficulty obtaining a prescription for Ozempic® if you want to use it for weight loss than if you need it to help manage type 2 diabetes. It depends on who is prescribing it to you.
When talking to your healthcare provider about Ozempic®, be sure to discuss the following information:
- Whether you have had any previous pancreas or kidney issues
- Whether you have ever had diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition that causes vision loss in people with diabetes
- Whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding (or plan to be soon), as more research is needed to determine what effects Ozempic® might have on unborn babies
You should also have a thorough discussion about your health history and status, including any medications, supplements, and vitamins you take.
How to use Ozempic®
Using Ozempic® appropriately means being aware of some important guidelines. When you are taking this medication, always make sure to use it only as directed for best results and be aware of the following information:
Who should not take Ozempic®
Ozempic® can be useful, but it isn’t for everyone. You should avoid taking Ozempic® if any of the following conditions apply to you:
- You or anyone in your family have a specific type of inherited thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), since this is one of the cancers that has been linked to Ozempic®.
- You have a condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). This is a type of endocrine system condition that can manifest as thyroid cancer.
- You are allergic to any of the ingredients listed in Ozempic®.
Ozempic® vs. other medications
Ozempic® may interact with certain thyroid hormones like levothyroxine, which can make controlling your blood sugar levels more difficult. If you are taking levothyroxine, you’ll need to keep a careful eye on your blood sugar levels and communicate with your healthcare provider about any other medications (including Ozempic®) that you might be taking.
Administering Ozempic®
Ozempic® is taken as an injection. It comes in four dosages: 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, and 2mg. Regardless of how strong your prescribed dosage is, you’ll take it once per week.
You can inject Ozempic into your stomach, thigh, or upper arm. Make sure not to inject it into muscles or directly into veins. You can discuss the proper way to inject this medication with your your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions about Ozempic®
How long does it take Ozempic® to suppress appetite?
Everyone is different, but the effects of Ozempic® can normally be noticed within a few weeks of starting the medication. One study showed substantial changes in appetite within a 12 week period.
Do you regain weight after stopping Ozempic®?
Regaining some weight after you stop taking Ozempic® is normal. One study showed that people taking Ozempic® regained up to two thirds of the weight they had lost within a year of withdrawal.
Find out if Ozempic® is right for you with Lemonaid Health
Ozempic® represents a potentially useful method of treatment for people with type 2 diabetes—and its other effects may benefit you as well. Book an online consultation with one of our US-based healthcare professionals and have your questions about Ozempic® answered by our medical team so that you can make informed decisions about your health and proceed with confidence.
Ozempic® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S. Wegovy® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.
