Is Ozempic Good For Weight Loss? How Does Ozempic For Weight Loss Work?

Are you suffering from obesity and want to lose weight? If yes, then you may get many suggestions from different people. However, you should know that no substance can magically reduce your weight, and you have to follow a healthy lifestyle to lose weight. Moreover, certain medicines can help you lose weight, but if you exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. 

One such medicine that has gained popularity for its weight loss effects in recent times is Ozempic. This medicine has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for treating type-2 diabetes in adults. Further, you should note that the United States Food and Drug Administration has not approved losing weight.

Moreover, many people who are taking Ozempic medicines said that they have lost a noticeable amount of weight after using Ozempic to manage type-2 diabetes. Here, we will explore Ozempic in detail, which will help you understand whether it is good for weight loss or not.

What Is Ozempic Injection Used For? How To Get Ozempic For Weight Loss?

As we mentioned above, Ozempic is a medicine approved by the U.S. FDA for adults who are suffering from type-2 diabetes. Ozempic does this by managing the levels of blood sugar in the body for which this medicine was made. 

According to research mentioned on Ozempic’s official site, it can lower hemoglobin A1C, which provides information about blood sugar over time. Moreover, the main component of Ozempic is semaglutide, which belongs to a group of substances known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

According to Dr Christopher McGowan, who is an expert in obesity medicine, GLP-1 does a few things in the body and helps the pancreas release insulin when we eat. This way, it becomes easy to manage blood sugar levels in the body. Moreover, Ozempic puts a brake on another hormone called glucagon that tends to raise blood sugar. Thereby, it can be said that Ozempic is very beneficial in managing blood sugar levels.

The Cost Of Ozempic Medications May Vary According To Different Factors

The cost of Ozempic medications can vary according to dosages and locations. Also, if you have health insurance, then you may get this medicine at lower costs. Moreover, according to the manufacturer’s website, a dose of 0.25 milligrams to 0.45 milligrams can cost approximately $935. Thus, it can be wise to consult your healthcare provider to know the exact price of Ozempic in your area.

Dosages May Vary According To The Health Conditions And Requirements

The dosage of Ozempic medicines depends on several factors, such as your age, sex, and underlying health conditions. Moreover, Ozempic medicines are available with different dosage structures such as 0.25 milligrams, 0.5 milligrams, 1 milligrams, and 2 milligrams. This allows individuals to take Ozempic medicines in amounts required by their bodies. 

You should consult with a doctor to know the dosage of Ozempic if you want to lose weight. Moreover, you should know that Ozempic is approved for treating type-2 diabetes and not for reducing weight. Thus, you may get specific recommendations from a doctor to manage your overall well-being.

Explore The Benefits Of Ozempic Medications

It can be interesting to know that Ozempic was not designed to lose weight but to manage type 2 diabetes. The manufacturing company of Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, has made another medicine known as Wegoy to reduce weight. Moreover, Wegoy has been approved by the U.S. FDA for reducing weight, and Ozempic for treating type-2 diabetes. Here, you should know that both Wegoy and Ozempic are made from the same component called semaglutide. Also, Wegoy contains higher doses of semaglutide than Ozempic.

A study sponsored by Novo Nordisk in 2021 found several benefits of Ozempic over more than 65 weeks. According to the study, people who took Ozempic injections lost their weight by 5% to 20%. Moreover, researchers noticed that the waist sizes of participants were also decreased. Also, Ozempic injections help participants manage their blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Additionally, researchers also noticed positive changes in cholesterol levels.

Take A Glance At The Safety And The Side Effects Of Ozempic Medications

According to Dr Christopher McGowan, Ozempic is generally safe but can have some side effects when you start taking Ozempic medications. The most common side effects of Ozempic are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. However, these side effects are usually managed within a few days or weeks. 

For this, people have to take medicines prescribed by their doctors in some cases. Moreover, some side effects of Ozempic can be severe, but this happens in rare cases. These severe side effects include inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, hypoglycemia, which is caused by low blood sugar, and some allergic reactions.

Get An Understanding Of How Ozempic Medicines Can Help Lose Weight

You already know that Ozempic helps the body manage the levels of blood sugar, but it also has some other roles. According to Dr Christopher McGowan, Ozempic helps the body lose weight through two mechanisms. One mechanism is that Ozempic reduces hunger and also the desire to eat. 

Moreover, the second role of Ozempic in weight loss is that it slows down the process of digesting food in the stomach. This way, you don’t overeat, which ultimately contributes to losing weight. One study was conducted on this topic, which found that participants who took Ozempic injections lost 14.9% of their body weight compared to 2.4% for those on a placebo.

Final Words

Ozempic is a very popular medicine that has been approved by the U.S. FDA to manage type-2 diabetes in adults, but people also take this medicine to lose weight. However, you should know that Ozempic has not been approved for weight loss. 

We have explained all the details of Ozempic for you to have a better understanding. Thus, if you want to lose weight by taking Ozempic injections, then it will be wise to consult with doctors first because they can recommend correct dosages according to your body’s requirements.

FAQ

References

1. What Is Ozempic®?. Ozempic® (semaglutide) Injection 0.5 mg or 1 mg. Accessed 11/30/2022.
2. Zhao X, Wang M, Wen Z, et al. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Beyond Their Pancreatic Effects. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:1040.
3. FDA Approves New Drug Treatment for Chronic Weight Management, First Since 2014 |. FDA. Accessed 11/15/2022.
4. Weight-Loss Prescription Medication. WegovyTM (semaglutide) Injection 2.4 mg. Accessed 11/30/2022.
5. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Davis M, et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension. 2022;24(8):1553-1564.
6. Semaglutide Injection. National Library of Medicine. Accessed 12/5/2023.
7. Semaglutide for weight loss – what you need to know. UCLA Health. Accessed 12/5/2023.
8. Find out the cost for Ozempic®. NovoCare. Accessed 12/5/2023.
9. Medications Containing Semaglutide Marketed for Type 2 Diabetes or Weight Loss. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed 12/5/2023.
10. Medicare Coverage of Diabetes Supplies, Services, & Prevention Programs. Medicare.gov. Accessed 12/5/2023.
11. What Could New Anti-Obesity Drugs Mean for Medicare?. KFF. Accessed 12/5/2023.
12. Medicaid Can Cover Obesity-Related Services, Helping Beneficiaries Reduce the Risk of Chronic Disease. Medicaid.gov. Accessed 12/5/2023.
13. Starting patients on once-weekly Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection. NovoMedlink. Accessed 12/5/2023.
14. Ozempic label. AccessFDA.gov. Accessed 12/5/2023.
15. Your Diabetes Care Schedule. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 12/5/2023.
16. Medical Treatment for Obesity. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed 12/5/2023.
17. How long does it take for Ozempic to work?. Drugs.com. Accessed 12/5/2023.
18. Ghusn W, De la Rosa A, Sacoto D, et al. Weight Loss Outcomes Associated With Semaglutide Treatment for Patients With Overweight or Obesity. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(9):e2231982.