Ozempic for weight loss: Everything you need to know
If you have social media, you’ve probably heard about Ozempic – the injectable diabetes drug that has recently gone viral for helping people lose weight – and you may now be wondering what is Ozempic, why is everyone talking about it, and can it really help you lose weight?
What is Ozempic?
Also known as Semaglutide or Wegovy, Ozempic helps people lose weight by increasing insulin sensitivity and suppressing appetite. Semaglutide lowers blood sugar levels and regulates insulin, which is crucial for people with Type 2 diabetes. The drug also imitates a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 that we naturally produce in our intestines, limiting appetite by signalling to our bodies that we feel full and prompting our stomachs to empty more slowly. As a result, people with obesity and accompanying health concerns have lost weight while taking it. People feel fuller faster and often find that foods that they used to crave or find really exciting are no longer exciting. It isn’t, however, suitable for those with an average healthy weight, and it should always be overseen by a medical professional.
Ozempic is self-administered once a week, in 0.5 milligrams, 1 milligram or 2-milligram dosages.
How much weight will I lose with Ozempic?
About a third of people who take Ozempic for weight loss will lose 10% or more of their body weight. Most people should expect to lose at least 5% of their starting body weight when using Ozempic for weight loss. But it’s important to note that Ozempic should be used alongside good lifestyle practices in order to achieve sustainable weight loss. Ozempic changes how people eat so that they can maximise the fat loss the injection offers while maintaining muscle. But when coming off the medication, you may return to your baseline weight if you don’t also take the opportunity to improve your lifestyle habits. Stress management, sleep, exercise and nutrition all need to be taken into consideration too.
Is Ozempic safe?
Ozempic is a safe medication with a variety of benefits. Approximately 80% of patients with type 2 diabetes also have concurrent obesity. So, these patients garner dual benefits for the treatment of their diabetes and obesity. Ozempic has also been shown to reduce major adverse coronary events, including heart attacks and strokes.
However, Ozempic isn’t safe for everyone, and as with any prescription medication, it’s essential to consult your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider on whether this medication is safe for you and what dosage is appropriate.
Is it right for you?
You must have a BMI over 30 or a BMI over 27 with one weight-associated condition like hypertension or type 2 diabetes and must have been unable to lose and keep off weight with lifestyle changes alone like diet and exercise. We also do a full assessment which includes blood tests to ensure you’re suitable for treatment.
What are the side effects?
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal in nature: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. While most people who take Ozempic will most likely experience these symptoms at some point during their treatment, they should subside over time.
As with any medication, it does have less common but more severe side effects, including Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), vision changes, Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and kidney problems. All risks and side effects will be explained in detail during your GP consultation.
If you’d like to learn more about Ozempic and whether it’s right for you, click here to book a consultation with our GP.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.
