Ozempic for Weight Loss - Effective or not?

Ozempic is a drug class called GLP-1 that controls blood sugar, thus helping with weight loss. This drug works by slowing down the digestion in the body, which reduces the patients' hunger. It also helps block the hormones that cause the liver to produce and release sugar into the bloodstream. This, in turn, helps in controlling blood sugar levels. All these steps help reduce the feeling of hunger and eat fewer calories, eventually leading to weight loss. This article will go through how to use Ozempic for Weight Loss journey, including its dosage, efficacy, and safety.

Is Ozempic effective in weight loss?

For persons without diabetes, Ozempic is not officially recommended for weight loss. However, the majority of the phase 3 trials looking at it, for this reason, found that individuals who were overweight or obese lost 15% to 18% of their body weight. All four phase 3 studies had a 68-week treatment period. So, Ozempic has been proven effective in helping people lose weight in various clinical trials.

How to use Ozempic for weight loss?

Ozempic is a liquid solution in prefilled single-use pens. This drug is given as an injection. Individuals usually administer it at home, but a professional nurse guides the patients during their first doctor visit. Keep these points in mind.

• This drug can be injected into the upper arm's abdomen, upper thigh, or back. 
• If you are a type-2 diabetic, you can inject Ozempic and insulin into the same part of the body. But try not to use the same spot for both injections. Using different places will reduce the irritation due to continuous injecting.
• Never mix your dosage if you are a type two diabetic as well. Also, do not mix any other medication with Ozempic.
• Try to inject Ozempic on the same day every week. The dosage can be taken at any time during that day. This medication can be taken with or without food as well.
• If you are unclear about the dosage or medication, you should check with your doctor and clarify any doubts.

Also read: Top 7 Protein Powder for Men in India

Dosage of Ozempic for weight loss - 

Mostly the doctor starts with a lower dosage of ozempic and then adjusts it according to the need of the patients or as per the requirement. After that, the doctor changes the dosage with time. Your doctor should ideally reach a place wherein he can prescribe the minimum dosage to get the desired effects.  The dosage that doctors commonly use is as follows-

• You can start with a dose of 0.25mg once per week and take it for four weeks.
• Then you can check with your doctor, increase the dosage to 0.5mg once weekly, and take it for another four weeks. 
• If this amount cannot manage your blood sugar levels, then it is better to increase the dosage to another 0.5mg and check for another four weeks. Please do not exceed the dosage of more than 2mg without mentioning it to your doctor. Try to keep the dosage to a minimum.

Doctors recommend this, but it is essential to check what your doctor has prescribed for you and determine the best dosage that fits your needs.

Warnings associated with Ozempic for weight loss -

• It is essential to not use Ozempic if your family has an allergy to any ingredients in ozempic.
• In case you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to the medicine.
• It is crucial to inform your doctor if you have a pancreas or kidney problem while taking this medicine. 
• It is essential to tell the doctor about your diabetic history and any retinopathy you had.
• If you are a pregnant or breastfeeding mother, then it can impact the baby. So it is better to tell your doctor or stop using the medicine before the baby's birth.

What are the possible side effects of using Ozempic for weight loss?

Ozempic might cause the following side effects:

1. Inflammation of the pancreas or pancreatitis can be identified by severe pain in the stomach or abdomen. For example, you might feel pain from the waist to the back of your neck.
2. Vision problems, There can be changes in the vision if you regularly use this drug.
3. Hypoglycemia: You can have severely low blood sugar levels after consuming ozempic medication. Signs of low blood sugar include lightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, dizziness, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion, drowsiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, and feeling of jitters.
4. Problems with the gallbladder, if you have pain in the upper stomach or fever, or you see yellowing of skin or eyes with clay-colored stools, it is better to see your doctor.
5. Kidney problems like kidney failure, the symptoms of kidney disease can be diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of fluids dehydration. Therefore, it is important to drink fluids to prevent dehydration.
6. Severe allergic reactions include swelling of lips, breathing problems, swallowing problems, and severe rash or itching with a rapid heartbeat.
7. In rare cases, stomach paralysis may occur. Somache paralysis, or gastroparesis, is a disorder of the digestive system where the muscles that move food along the digestive tract work slower and cause numerous negative symptoms. There is a current lawsuit against Ozempic due to severe gastroparesis.

Also, Read 5 best Ayurvedic Medicines for Weight Loss

Summary -

Ozempic is an injectable drug used to aid in weight loss and control blood sugar levels in the body. The pen is injected like insulin in the abdomen, thighs, or upper arms. This injection will help in reducing food cravings and lower blood sugar, which will eventually lead to less weight on the weight scale though there are side effects and warning signs associated with the injection of ozempic; hence it is better to get in touch with your doctor before making any changes to your medications. Also, Read the 4 Best keto pills for weight loss & Diet Supplements on the Market.