Ozempic is an injection that can help people who have type 2 diabetes lose weight. It’s part of a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists.
Ozempic uses semaglutide to improve blood sugar (glucose) and promote weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes. It may also reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. Click the https://houseofaesthetix.com/ to learn more.
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The drug Ozempic, which is also sold as Wegovy, works by inhibiting the release of a hormone that raises blood sugar levels. By lowering this hormone, the medication reduces hunger and feelings of fullness. It may also lessen cravings for fatty or energy-dense foods that can add extra calories to the diet, which is often part of why it promotes weight loss in many people who take it.
This injectable medication helps manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise. It can also help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke in adults with diabetes. Ozempic isn’t approved for use in people with type 1 diabetes, but some doctors prescribe it to promote weight loss in those who struggle to lose weight through diet and exercise alone.
Before a doctor prescribes the medication, they’ll assess whether it is safe for the patient, says Dr. Lofton. This includes ruling out medical contraindications, which are conditions that make the medication unsafe to take. For instance, doctors won’t give people Ozempic if they have a history of pancreatitis or medullary thyroid cancer (cancer that starts in the gland at the base of the neck).
Typically, a person will start out on a low dose of the medication and gradually increase it over time. The injection is administered under the skin, typically in the abdomen, thighs or buttocks, on a once-weekly schedule. The maximum maintenance dosage is 2 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.
When the medication is first started, some people experience nausea. Nausea usually goes away within a few days, though if it doesn’t, contact your healthcare team. Nausea can be a sign of pancreatitis, and doctors won’t prescribe the medication if a patient has a history of this condition.
Patients with type 2 diabetes can usually expect to see improvements in their blood sugar levels after three months of taking Ozempic, says Dr. Lofton. Those improvements will be measured by a test called hemoglobin A1C. These tests measure how well blood sugar is being controlled over a three-month period.
Dosage
Ozempic comes as a liquid solution inside prefilled, disposable pens. Your doctor will show you how to inject your doses under the skin (subcutaneously) in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. You should rotate the injection site each time and wipe the area clean with alcohol before injecting. You should also use a new needle each time. Do not share pens or reuse old ones, as this can lead to infections.
Ozempic works by mimicking the effects of natural GLP-1 hormones in your body to influence appetite control and slow digestion, helping you feel full with smaller meals. It has been proven to help people lose weight in combination with diet and exercise.
In clinical trials, people using the 0.5 mg dose lost an average of 8 lbs in 30 weeks. If this is not enough, your doctor can increase the dosage in 4-week intervals to a maximum of 2 mg once weekly. It is not recommended to start at the higher dose unless your doctor determines that it is necessary.
Your doctor may prescribe Ozempic to lower your risk of heart or blood vessel problems caused by type 2 diabetes. It can reduce your chances of having a heart attack or stroke, as well as help you live longer.
If you have a history of pancreatitis, talk to your doctor before starting Ozempic treatment. You should also tell your doctor if you have diabetes-related eye problems, such as diabetic retinopathy. Your doctor may need to change your dose of other diabetes medications if you use Ozempic.
You should not take more than the prescribed amount of Ozempic. This can lead to serious side effects, such as hypoglycemia. You should not take this medication if you are allergic to it or any of the ingredients in it. You should not use it if you have severe kidney disease. It has not been studied in people with a history of thyroid tumors or medullary thyroid cancer. It has been shown to cause thyroid tumors in animals, but it isn’t known if this will happen in humans.
Side Effects
Your doctor will teach you how to inject Ozempic, usually in the thigh or abdomen. Use a fresh needle each time and rotate the injection site. It is important to follow your doctor’s directions exactly, as incorrect injection technique can cause serious side effects.
You may experience some side effects from Ozempic, but these are generally mild. They should fade or disappear after a few weeks of treatment. Some common side effects of Ozempic include gas, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and a general stomach discomfort. If your symptoms persist or get worse, talk to your doctor.
Diarrhea is a common side effect of semaglutide, and it was reported in about 9% of people taking the medication for Type 2 diabetes during clinical trials. If you experience this side effect, drink plenty of water and eat foods that are high in fiber to help prevent dehydration.
Nausea and vomiting are also common side effects of Ozempic, and they can be a sign of malabsorption of nutrients. Talk to your doctor about dietary changes that can help prevent or treat this side effect.
If you notice any unusual symptoms while taking Ozempic, call your doctor right away. These symptoms could indicate a serious problem, such as pancreatitis.
In studies with rodents, Ozempic and medicines like it caused thyroid tumors and cancer. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using this medicine. This medicine comes with a boxed warning for this rare risk, the highest level of safety warning given by the FDA.
Talk to your doctor about your risk for developing a thyroid tumor. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, don’t take this medicine. It is not known whether it passes into breast milk or harms a baby.
You should stop using this medicine at least two months before you start trying for a baby. Controlling your blood sugar and gaining the right amount of weight is very important during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while using this medicine, your doctor will tell you how to best manage your condition and protect your baby.
Precautions
During a treatment with Ozempic, you should be sure to check your blood sugar levels and follow your doctor’s advice on how to manage them. You should also be aware of the signs and symptoms of severe low blood sugar levels, as these can be life-threatening. If you experience these symptoms, seek emergency care or contact your doctor right away.
Ozempic may cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). If you have a history of this condition, your doctor might not prescribe this medication for you.
Other health conditions you have may also affect your ability to take Ozempic. If you have diabetic retinopathy, a condition that affects the eye and can be caused by diabetes, this medication may cause it to worsen. In some cases, it can lead to vision loss or blindness.
It’s important that you inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It’s also important to tell them about any other medications, vitamins, or supplements you are taking. This is because certain items can interact with medicines and influence how they work or could hurt you.
You should only give yourself the injection in a site your doctor has shown you and only once a week. It’s important that you inject this medication at the same time each week to avoid missing doses, which can increase your risk of developing a low blood sugar level. If you must change the day you inject, wait at least 5 days before your next scheduled dose.
If you are taking this drug with other types of insulin or diabetes medicine, it can increase your risk of having low blood sugar levels. You should talk to your doctor about the best way to manage this risk with diet, exercise, and other treatments.
This medication isn’t recommended for use during pregnancy. It’s not known if it passes into breast milk or if it’s safe for breastfeeding mothers. If you are planning to become pregnant, you should stop using this medication at least 2 months before trying to conceive. This allows time for the medicine to clear from your body.