A drug designed to control insulin levels is difficult to locate following a spate of users on social media have discussed how they took it for weight loss. Ozempic is the brand name of semaglutide is on FDA’s lists of current shortages of drugs.
Ozempic can be injected and is commonly used by those with type 2 diabetes for treatment when other drugs have not successfully managed the patient’s blood sugar. It is however available off-label and used to help lose weight in a few patients, according to Jamie Alan, Ph.D. Associate professor of toxicology and pharmacology within Michigan State University. “There are online concierge services that offer Ozempic to help with weight loss,” she adds.
Click here for details of the Ozempic patient assistance program.
It’s worth noting that the semaglutide drug Wegovy is also in short supply. But what’s the problem with Ozempic? Is it safe to use in this manner? Here’s what you should be aware of.
What exactly is Ozempic and what is its purpose?
Ozempic is a component of the exercise program and diet to manage blood sugar levels for those suffering from type 2 diabetes, in cases where other medications fail to control their blood sugar levels well, Medline Plus explains. Ozempic is administered by injection and may reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or even death for people with type 2 diabetes, as well as with blood vessel and heart diseases.
Ozempic “mimics a protein found within your body that is known as GLP-1, also known as glucagon-like. (GLP-1),” Alan says. The use of Ozempic “will trigger GLP-1 receptors” Alan says, noting that “activation of these receptors leads to increased levels of insulin levels which aids in treating diabetes.”
The Ozempic drug has reduced A1C amounts (a test that measures the average blood glucose levels over the last two to three years) to below 7%, which is the amount that is recommended from the American Diabetes Association.
How can people lose weight when they participate in Ozempics?
It’s all about GLP-1. This “primarily works by stimulating the POMC (pro-opiomelanocortin) pathway of the brain in the hypothalamus which tells us to eat less and store less,” explains Fatima Cody Stanford, M.D., M.P.H., an obesity medicine physician and associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Also, it slows down the flow of food throughout your digestive tract “so you feel fuller throughout the day,” Sanford says. Sanford states.
But there’s something more Ozempic than that. It’s just not yet understood. “There are many other possible mechanisms that we’re getting to know,” Alan says.
The Ozempic website states that users who take the drug have lost as much as 14 pounds, however it makes it clear that Ozempic is “not an appetite-loss drug.” But Ozempic also notes that studies looking at A1C levels showed that those who took Ozempic lost 8 pounds on average on 0.5 milligrams and 10 pounds when they took one milligram of the drug as compared to. three pounds with the placebo. In another study, patients lost 12 pounds with one milligram of Ozempic , and 14 pounds with two milligrams, the firm declares.
Is Ozempic a safe option to lose weight?
In addition, Ozempic is authorized for usage in accordance with the FDA to manage blood sugar levels for people suffering from type 2 diabetes, but not as a weight loss drug. However, Alan admits that “prescriptions medications are used without a prescription frequently.” In the case of being under the supervision by a physician Alan states that it’s not considered to be dangerous to take a medicine such as Ozempic that is not on a label. Doctor. Stanford agrees. “Semaglutide has also been approved to treat obesity under the trade name Wegovy,” she says. “As therefore, there is no harm in the medication being taken off-label since it has been approved in this manner.”
However, Alan notes, “you are still susceptible to the same adverse effects” regardless of whether you are taking Ozempic to treat diabetes or for weight loss. The side effects that can be experienced include:
Low blood sugar
Vision changes
Kidney issues
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
Constipation
It’s crucial to take into consideration that patients with diabetes could require this medication and may find it difficult to get it due to the lack. If you take the medication off-label it could contribute to the issue.
It is also important to note that the FDA is also warning that Ozempic has a chance of thyroid tumors that could cause problems, which includes cancer.
A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk, which makes Ozempic has not responded to Prevention’s request for comments before the deadline.
What should you do if contemplating taking a medication to lose weight
Doctors emphasize the importance of talking with an experienced medical professional and remaining under their supervision while taking anti-obesity drugs. “Anti-obesity medication can be used for obese patients who have had difficulty in regulating their weight through exercises and diet alone,” Dr. Stanford states. “Obesity is a persistent and relapsing disease that requires ongoing treatment. when a patient discovers that medications help regulate your weight levels, the medication ought to continue for a long time.” (However Dr. Stanford emphasizes that anti-obesity medication should not be taken during pregnancy.)
It’s also crucial to utilize medication in the perspective of lifestyle changes Alan adds. “Medications are fantastic however, they’re best when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise,” she adds. “Please consult a trusted doctor before taking these medications.”