Ozempic for weight loss: Is it safe to use this anti-diabetes drug?

Ozempic, a prescription drug sometimes used to handle sort 2 diabetes, is quick turning into a solution for fast weight reduction options internationally. As weight problems circumstances improve globally, Ozempic and different weight reduction medication have turn into the discuss of the city, inviting curiosity amongst individuals who want to drop extra pounds shortly. However is it secure? What’s all of it about? Who ought to use it? Who ought to keep away from it? There are many considerations surrounding the usage of Ozempic for weight reduction and its unintended effects.

Ozempic is already a rage within the US. It’s an injectable drugs used weekly beneath the pores and skin of the thigh, abdomen or higher arm, to handle blood sugar ranges and scale back weight.

What’s Ozempic?

It’s the model identify for semaglutide, a prescription treatment developed by the Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk. It was initially authorised by the US Meals and Drug Administration in 2017 for the therapy of sort 2 diabetes. “It belongs to a category of medicine often known as GLP-1 receptor agonists (glucagon-like peptide-1), which copy the motion of the pure hormone GLP-1 within the physique,” says bariatric surgeon Dr Atul Sardana. The hormone helps regulate blood sugar ranges by stimulating insulin secretion, decreasing glucagon secretion and slowing down digestion.

“It additionally has further advantages for cardiovascular well being, significantly in individuals who have diabetes and a historical past of coronary heart illness. On this context, it could possibly scale back the chance of main cardiovascular occasions reminiscent of coronary heart assaults and strokes,” says the professional. It’s administered via a once-weekly injection beneath the pores and skin, often within the stomach, thigh or higher arm.

Ozempic for weight reduction: How does it work?

Though initially designed to deal with diabetes, it has gained widespread consideration for its off-label use for weight problems administration. “Utilizing Ozempic for weight reduction has turn into extra widespread as a consequence of promising outcomes from medical research displaying its potential to considerably scale back physique weight,” says the professional. Throughout a examine of 175 individuals with chubby or weight problems, they got semaglutide. The examine, printed in JAMA Community Open, confirmed that the entire physique weight reduction percentages achieved have been 5.9 p.c at 3 months and 10.9 p.c at 6 months.

Right here’s how Ozempic for weight reduction works:

• Urge for food suppression: GLP-1 receptors within the mind, particularly within the hypothalamus, assist management urge for food. “By activating these receptors, the medication reduces starvation indicators, resulting in decreased meals consumption,” shares the professional.
• Slowed gastric emptying: Ozempic for weight reduction works, because it delays the time it takes for meals to go away the abdomen. This in flip promotes a sense of fullness and reduces the urge to eat steadily.
• Stabilised blood sugar ranges: By enhancing insulin launch and reducing glucagon secretion, Ozempic for weight reduction works by decreasing blood sugar fluctuations, which might in any other case set off cravings and overeating.

Ozempic for weight reduction: Dose and security

“You’ll be able to strive Ozempic for weight reduction, as it’s usually thought-about secure when used beneath the supervision of a health care provider,” says Dr Sardana. Keep in mind that Ozempic for weight reduction shouldn’t be formally authorised, however many physicians prescribe it off-label for weight problems as a consequence of its effectiveness.

To make sure security, be sure that to stay to the dosing schedule that begins with a low dose:

• Week 1–4: 0.25 mg as soon as weekly (beginning dose)
• Week 5–8: 0.5 mg as soon as weekly
• After 8 weeks: Dose could also be elevated to 1 mg or as much as 2 mg weekly relying in your response and tolerance to the weekly drugs.

“The choice to extend dosage must be made by your physician,” says the professional, asserting that these medicines can’t be used with out due supervision.

What are the unintended effects of Ozempic for weight reduction?

Gastrointestinal signs like nausea, constipation and diarrhea are the most typical unintended effects of Ozempic, in accordance with Harvard Well being Publishing.

“Nausea typically happens throughout the first few weeks and will subside over time. Diarrhea or constipation are typical as the burden loss drug slows down gastrointestinal motility,” says the professional.

Different unintended effects of Ozempic for weight reduction embrace:

• Abdomen ache and bloating, which can be associated to delayed gastric emptying (the method by which meals contents go away the abdomen and enter the primary a part of the small gut for additional digestion and absorption).
• Fatigue can happen, significantly within the early phases of taking Ozempic for weight reduction, presumably as a consequence of lowered meals consumption.

Much less widespread unintended effects of Ozempic for weight reduction embrace:

• Pancreatitis, which is the irritation of the pancreas, characterised by extreme belly ache and vomiting.
• Fast weight loss could improve the chance of gallstones.
• Kidney issues could also be worsened by dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea.

Ozempic for weight reduction works, and so helps in combat in opposition to weight problems. Initially developed for sort 2 diabetes, it has proven advantages in serving to individuals drop extra pounds by suppressing urge for food. It comes with unintended effects, together with constipation and nausea. So, use it beneath the steerage of a medical skilled. Additionally, don’t overlook to eat wholesome and repeatedly sweat it out for finest outcomes.