People try to lose weight for different reasons, ranging from reducing the risk of health problems to looking more attractive.
Being overweight or obese can have severe health consequences, including cardiovascular diseases like heart disease and stroke, metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal issues such as osteoarthritis, and certain cancers, such as endometrial, breast, and colon cancers.
A weight reduction of as little as 5 percent can decrease your chances of these health problems and significantly boost your self-esteem.
Typically, people lose weight by adjusting their diet, exercising, or both. If you have recently been researching ways to lose weight, you will most likely have come across semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic, Rybelsus, or Wegovy.
Semaglutide is a medication originally approved to treat type 2 diabetes. However, it has also been found to be effective for weight loss. This article will discuss in detail everything you need to know about semaglutide and answer common questions like, What are the possible side effects of Ozempic?
What research says about semaglutide
Research on using semaglutide for weight loss revealed it is indeed effective. Some studies also note it has certain side effects that patients should be aware of.
A study enrolled 1961 obese adults who had unsuccessfully tried to lose weight via dietary efforts. Even though they do not have diabetes, the participants suffer from one or more weight-related conditions, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease.
The group participants who were administered semaglutide once weekly were observed to lose at least 5 percent of their body weight after 68 weeks.
In a similar study involving 175 overweight and obese patients, the group treated with semaglutide achieved 5.9 percent weight loss in 3 months and 10.9 percent in 6 months.
Doses of 2.4 mg semaglutide, injected once weekly, have been discovered to do the magic, helping patients lose between 9.6 and 17.4 percent of their initial body weight at week 68 of usage.
How semaglutide works?
Semaglutide mimics a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1). The hormone is produced in the gut and released during a meal. It helps regulate appetite and blood sugar levels.
When semaglutide is used, it mimics GLP-1 and activates the GLP-1 receptors in the brain. As a result, you will eat less, as it suppresses the feeling of hunger and makes you feel fuller when you eat.
Semaglutide slows down the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine. This process is called delayed gastric emptying. The delay gives a feeling of fullness, further reducing food intake.
How to use semaglutide?
This medicine is approved for weight loss in adults and children (at least 12 years old) with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Or have a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Body mass index (BMI) is a medical screening tool that measures body fat based on height and weight. It is calculated by measuring a person’s body weight divided by the square of their height.
A person is considered underweight if they have a BMI less than 18.5 and overweight if they have a BMI between 25 and 29.9. Obese patients have a BMI of 30 or higher. Normal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9.
For weight loss, semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy) is injected subcutaneously under the skin of your stomach, thighs, or upper arm.
It is administered once weekly, anytime on the same day, with or without meals. Experts recommend you rotate the body parts where the shots are given.
Rybelsus comes in tablet form and is used with a sip of water when you first wake. Avoid crushing or chewing the tablet, as studies are yet to confirm if such action does not affect the absorption of semaglutide.
Wait at least 30 minutes before ingesting any other thing, including food, drinks, and other medications.
It is vital to follow your physician's guide and the manufacturer’s instructions, including the recommended dosage when using any semaglutide medications.
Potential side effects and risks
The use of semaglutide does not come without any side effects. People taking the medication for weight loss may experience side effects that range from mild to severe. They include:
Nausea
Diarrhea
Headache
Gas and bloat
Vomiting
Constipation
Stomach pain
Burping
Ozempic face
Pancreatitis
Allergic reactions
Hair loss
Abnormal dreams
Gall bladder disease
Kidney damage
Thyroid tumor
Gastroparesis
Intestinal paralysis (ileus)
Many of these side effects may improve as you continue to use the medication. Certain changes in eating habits, such as drinking ice-cold drinks and avoiding greasy or sweet foods, might also be helpful.
If you notice the side effects get worse or do not subside after a few weeks, consult your physician.
In case you suffered irreparable damage or injury due to the use of Ozempic, Rybelsus, or Wegovy, you should consider seeking legal help to get compensation for your injury. Drug manufacturers are required by law to warn patients and their physicians about potential risks associated with their products.
Avoid using the semaglutide if you have:
History of medullary thyroid cancer
History of gallbladder disease
Known hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of its components
Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2) or if someone in your family had these related tumors
History of pancreatitis.
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