A Guide to Ozempic for Weight Loss

You may have seen a medication called Ozempic go viral over the past few months for its weight loss benefits. It has become so popular that the drug manufacturers experienced a worldwide shortage in early 2023.

Ozempic’s efficacy for weight loss has been widely researched. A recent study found that adults who took a 1 mg dose of Ozempic for a trial period of 40 weeks lost an average of 13 pounds in body weight.

People receiving a 2 mg dose lost an average of 15 pounds. Another study discovered that after six weeks of taking the medication, participants’ body weight decreased by almost nine pounds.

A further trial has found that people affected by obesity and who used Ozempic — along with introducing lifestyle changes like exercise — lost around 15% of their body weight in 68 weeks.

In this article, we will discuss why Ozempic seems to be so effective for weight loss and what one can expect while taking the medication.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is the brand name for an FDA-approved active ingredient called semaglutide. It belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-s).

It is a prescription medication in the form of an injector pen that is typically used to regulate and control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Ozempic first started clinical trials in 2015. In 2017, the FDA approved Ozempic for people with diabetes at a 0.5 or 1 mg dose. However, in 2022, the FDA approved a higher dose of 2 mg.

While this drug was not developed to reduce body fat, it has been repeatedly proven to help people lose weight. In 2021, it was officially approved by the FDA for weight loss in those with obesity and other weight-related health conditions.

How Does Ozempic Work?

Ozempic works by mimicking the action of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone is naturally produced in the intestines and regulates blood sugar levels. By activating the body’s GLP-1 receptors, Ozempic:

• Stimulates the secretion of insulin
• Suppresses glucagon secretion, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels
• Slows down gastric emptying
• Reduces appetite

As mentioned earlier, the active ingredient in Ozempic — semaglutide — acts just like the GLP-1 hormone in the body.

However, this GLP-1 medication has a longer-lasting effect on the body than the natural hormone, stimulating insulin for an extended period of time.

How Ozempic works for treating diabetes

Ozempic helps to manage type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels, through:

• Blood sugar regulation: Blood sugar levels in the body naturally rise after eating. Ozempic stimulates insulin, helping to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells, reducing blood sugar levels after meals.
• Suppression of glucagon: Glucagon raises blood sugar levels when it promotes the release of stored glucose in the liver. By reducing the secretion of this hormone, Ozempic prevents excessive glucose from being produced, further controlling blood sugar.
• Gastric emptying: Ozempic slows down the speed at which the stomach empties after eating. This helps to regulate the rate at which glucose enters the bloodstream after food intake, preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels.
• Weight management: Weight management is an important part of treating type 2 diabetes, as excess weight can contribute to insulin resistance and difficulties controlling blood sugar.

Ozempic helps regulate blood sugar throughout the day, helping people with diabetes maintain more stable and controlled glucose levels.

Weight loss in those with diabetes may also reduce blood pressure as well as the need for other chronic medications.

How Ozempic may help you lose weight

There are three main ways that Ozempic could potentially contribute to weight loss.

1. Ozempic impacts the brain by suppressing the brain centers that contribute to appetite. This reduces appetite and increases satiety (the feeling of fullness after a meal). By curbing hunger, people taking Ozempic may consume fewer calories, resulting in weight loss.

2. The slowed gastric emptying can also make people feel fuller for longer, potentially reducing overeating.

3. Insulin resistance is often associated with difficulty losing weight, especially in people with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic improves insulin sensitivity in the body, allowing it to effectively transport glucose from the bloodstream to cells.

It’s worth noting that not everyone will experience significant weight loss on Ozempic. Its efficacy varies from one person to another.

Other health benefits

Besides diabetes management and weight loss, this medication has other health benefits. A study found that GLP-1 medications like Ozempic may reduce major adverse coronary events like heart attacks and strokes. It may also lower the risk of death in those with known heart disease.

Why is Ozempic So Popular?

When semaglutide received FDA approval in 2021 as a weight loss drug, it was branded as an obesity medicine called Wegovy.

Ozempic and Wegovy belong to the same drug class; the only difference is their dosages.

Shortly after Wegovy was released, social media influencers and celebrities began using it as a ‘quick fix’ to lose weight and sharing their experiences online.

Because the drug’s benefits went viral, this quickly resulted in a shortage of Wegovy in the United States. It was around this time that many people started turning to Ozempic to lose weight — resulting in an Ozempic shortage.

People with type 2 diabetes were unable to access the medication to treat their condition because of the problematic shortage.

Weight loss drugs of all kinds are becoming increasingly popular in the U.S., as about 70% of the nation’s adults are obese or overweight, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

How Long Does it Take for Ozempic to Work?

Most people will start Ozempic at a low dose in an effort to avoid experiencing adverse side effects. This dose will typically start at 0.25 mg and should be injected each week.

After about four weeks on the lower dose, your doctor will increase your Ozempic injection to 0.5 or 1 mg, depending on how you respond to the medication.

According to the manufacturer of Ozempic, it takes four to five weeks for the drug to reach a steady state.

However, this is not to say that Ozempic will start to lower blood sugar completely by the fifth week. The drug's effectiveness varies among individuals and is based on factors like weight, age, and any other medications being taken.

Blood sugar levels may begin declining as early as one week after starting the medication, but the full effects of the drug may take up to eight weeks or longer to occur.

It may take several weeks to see weight loss results once you start taking Ozempic. Some research has shown that it can take as little as two weeks to see weight loss, but this varies.

Who Shouldn’t Take Ozempic?

Certain chronic conditions and other health factors may mean this medication isn’t the right treatment for you. You should not take Ozempic if you:

• Have had problems with your pancreas at any point, as you have an increased risk for the rare side effect of pancreatitis.
• Have kidney problems or have ever had kidney disease, as some Ozempic users have reported kidney failure as a rare side effect.
• Have had a form of cancer called medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or a rare condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). This is because Ozempic was found to cause thyroid tumors in rats in animal studies.
• Have diabetic retinopathy, as Ozempic can worsen this condition.
• Have ever had an allergic reaction to Ozempic or its ingredients.
• Are under the age of 18.

There are some other factors to consider before taking Ozempic, such as alcohol use or if you’re considering becoming pregnant.

Alcohol

There is currently no evidence that alcohol and Ozempic interact with one another, which means you can consume alcohol while taking this medication.

However, alcohol impacts the body’s blood sugar levels, meaning it can become too high or too low after consumption.

If you have a blood sugar-related condition like diabetes, it’s important to speak to your doctor about alcohol consumption.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is currently unknown whether it’s safe to take Ozempic while pregnant. The medication manufacturer advises women to stop using Ozempic two months before planning to become pregnant. Additionally, it is not known if Ozempic can be passed to infants via breastfeeding.

If you become pregnant or want to breastfeed while taking Ozpemic, be sure to speak to your doctor first.

How to Use Ozempic Safely

This medication comes in the form of a prefilled injector pen that has been designed to make it easy for patients to administer the drug themselves.

If you have been prescribed Ozempic, it’s important to use the injector pen correctly by following these steps.

Preparation

• Always check the expiration date on the injector pen before using it
• Wash your hands thoroughly before using the pen
• Choose an injection site such as the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Be sure to rotate these injection sites with each dose
• Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab, and allow the area to dry

Injecting the medication

• Remove the cap of the pen, and be careful not to touch the needle
• Tap the side of the pen gently to remove any air bubbles
• Pinch a fold of skin and insert the needle into the skin
• Press and hold the dose button until the pen displays a count from zero to your prescribed dose

Post-injection

• Remove the needle from the skin and press a clean cotton ball against the site if necessary
• Replace the cap on the pen to protect the needle
• Store the pen at room temperature, away from direct heat and sunlight

It’s essential that you follow the specific instructions provided by your doctor regarding your dosage, frequency, and administration of Ozempic.

Where Can I Learn More About Ozempic for Weight Loss?

At LifeMD, you may be prescribed Ozempic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and/or as a part of the LifeMD Weight Management Program.

Enrolling in the program means you’ll be working closely with licensed clinicians who will design a personalized plan to help you lose weight. Based on your metabolic profile, your body mass index (BMI), and other key factors, your clinician will determine if you are a candidate for weight-loss medication like Ozempic.

You can learn more about the online weight management program here.