Ozempic and Weight Loss : Unveiling the Facts.

Ozempic is a type 2 diabetes medicine used to regulate blood glucose levels. It is not intended for persons who do not have diabetes or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.   

Ozempic should only be prescribed once your healthcare team has determined that you will benefit from its use.  This will be determined by your individual circumstances, and there are numerous crucial considerations to consider. These include a person's lifestyle and current treatment plan, as well as the dose and risk of adverse effects. 

What is Ozempic?

Semaglutide is a new generation of GLP-1 (glucagon like peptide-1) analogue, commonly known  sold under the brand name Ozempic which is second line treatment option for better glycemic control in type 2 diabetes

What is Ozempic used for?

In order to control blood glucose levels and HbA1c in persons with type 2 diabetes, ozempic is administered as an injection once per week.  

It works as a GLP-1 analogue drug by raising incretin levels, which is a hormone that aids your body in producing more insulin when it is required. Additionally, it reduces the liver's capacity to generate glucose.

How Ozempic works for weight loss?

Type 2 diabetes patients  who take Ozempic (semaglutide) may have weight loss while taking the drug, which is caused through two channels:

•    First, by slowing down stomach emptying, hunger suppression is accomplished. When you take semaglutide, food stays in your stomach for roughly six or seven hours rather than up to an hour. 

•    Another is accelerating the feeling of fullness, a process controlled by the brain where your gut's food movement is slowed, causing you to reach a point of satiety. 

This makes semaglutide an effective weight loss treatment for virtually anyone, whether they have prediabetes, diabetes, or polycystic ovary syndrome (which causes insulin resistance and often weight gain).

Expected weight loss on Ozempic

Studies show that most patients lose 10-15% of their total body weight within 6-12 months on Ozempic 1 mg per week. However, the response to weight loss varies individually based on the following factors:

•    Dosage – doses of 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg provide a less noticeable but significant weight loss of 5-10%.

•    Diet and Exercise – Caloric restriction of 500+ calories per day and 150+ minutes of activity per week significantly enhances weight loss.

•    Baseline Weight – People who weigh more typically lose more pounds, but people who weigh less may still lose 5-10%.

•    Compliance with the regimen of taking the drug - skipping injections, premature termination reduces the result. Regular adherence over a period of months gives the best results.

•    Genetic predispositions - DNA influences the response to GLP-1 drugs, some “super responders” lose up to 25%.

•    Taking other drugs – Medicines that increase appetite, such as steroids, reduce the effect of Ozempic.

 

Who is ideal for Ozempic?

The American Society of Obesity Medicine makes the following recommendations for selecting candidates:

•    A BMI of more than 30 or at least 27 if you have weight-related complications such as diabetes or hypertension.
•    Couldn't achieve enough weight loss with diet, exercise, and other anti-obesity medications alone.
•    There is no current or history of medullary thyroid cancer.
•    There is no history of pancreatitis.
•    There are no severe gastrointestinal diseases such as gastroparesis.
•    There is no personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2.
•    There is no severe renal failure.
•    There is no known allergy or sensitivity to Ozempic or its components.

For obesity, classified as a chronic, progressive disease, medications such as Ozempic are indicated when behavioral approaches alone are not sufficient.

 

Possible risks and side effects:

1.    Pancreatitis after Ozempic

Semaglutide, the primary component of Ozempic, may be associated with pancreatitis, according to recent studies. A dangerous ailment that poses a threat to life is pancreatitis, or swelling of the pancreas. Severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, as well as skin and eye yellowing, are all indicators of pancreatitis.

2.    Gallstones after Ozempic

Cholecystitis (gallstones) is an inflammation of the gallbladder that must be treated to avoid fatal complications. Gallbladder disease, including gallstone formation, is a possible but uncommon side effect of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, according to clinical trials.

3.   Deterioration of vision after Ozempic

Ozempic may potentially result in vision alterations such as impaired vision, macular problems, or diabetic retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels in the eye), according to a clinical research published in 2020. Vision may become blurry if the shape of the eye's lens changes as a result of the body's abrupt fluctuations in sugar levels brought on by the semglutide injection. Three to four months pass before this short-term side effect disappears.

4.   Kidney failure and other kidney problems after Ozempic

Although Ozempic is generally considered safe for people with type 2 diabetes, it may have side effects in people without diabetes, including kidney damage and failure. Because semaglutide is cleared from the blood through the kidneys, there is a potential risk of kidney damage. GLP-1 agonists, including Ozempic (semaglutide), commonly cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In some cases, these gastrointestinal symptoms can potentially lead to acute kidney injury due to volume reduction.

5.   Severe malnutrition after Ozempic

The drug works by delaying the brain's signals of hunger and slowing down the process of food digestion in the stomach, which makes people feel full longer. Poor nutrition can lead to low energy levels, headaches, dizziness, decreased muscle strength, hair loss and more. To prevent malnutrition while taking Ozempic, a well-balanced diet and adequate caloric intake are recommended.

6.   Digestive problems after Ozempic

Diarrhea is one of the most common side effects, occurring in almost 30% of non-diabetic patients. Severe gastrointestinal symptoms usually begin with pain and severe discomfort and usually cause diarrhea, constipation, belching, gas, or intestinal obstruction. The higher your semaglutide dosage, the more likely you are to experience these symptoms.

7.    Allergic reactions after Ozempic

Mild allergic reactions to semaglutide may include itching, rash, or redness at the injection site. You may also have trouble breathing or swallowing and swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

8.   Face Mutation “Ozempic Face”

Some people may experience a decrease in facial fullness, colloquially referred to as “Ozempic face.” It's important to note that Ozempic is not specifically approved for weight loss, although some people may experience weight loss while taking it. One of the biggest problems with this new drug is sagging skin due to rapid weight loss. Patients who get the shot to lose 5-10 kg will not see as much change on their face as those who lose more weight. Patients may experience more wrinkles around the temples, jawline, mouth, and under the eyes.

The only known treatment method for Ozempic Face is the installation of fillers or plastic surgery on the face. These surgeries can cost $5,000 or more because the face must be lifted due to volume loss.

9.   Depression and mood swings after Ozempic

When semaglutide is used as a standalone medicine may cause mood swings, unsteadiness, irritability, depression, stress, and anxiety.

10. Sudden weight gain after stopping Ozempic

A study discovered that patients began to gain weight once they stopped taking semaglutide (Ozempic). The medication imitates the hormone that alerts your brain when you are full, but it does not alter the neuronal pathways that determine your body's optimal weight, which means that any weight loss you experience may not last.

Ozempic should be taken continuously over an extended period of time. Your food cravings may worsen and your sense of fullness after eating may diminish if you stop taking your medicine due to financial constraints or experience an allergic reaction.

Conclusion:

As the Ozempic craze on social media and TikTok gains the attention of the general public, the medical community is increasingly warning against using the drug to shed pounds. We must remember that obesity is a chronic disease and requires definitive treatment. You must take Ozempic indefinitely to lose weight and keep it off.

Pharmaceutical companies have paid millions to doctors and institutions in grants and loyalty to promote injectable antidiabetic drugs as an obesity therapy.

Ozempic is not a quick weight loss solution and is definitely not permanent. 

The following key disadvantages and risks need to be considered:

•    Side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which may continue. And also problems with the gallbladder, pancreatitis, kidney problems.

•    Warnings - Not recommended if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.

•    Unknown long-term safety – There are no studies longer than 2 years, so long-term effects in non-diabetics are unclear.

•    Cost – About $1000+ per month without insurance coverage. Requires prior approval.

•    Intermittent results – Weight regain is likely after stopping Ozempic if lifestyle habits are not improved.

•    Requires chronic use – Weight loss reverses after stopping Ozempic, requiring ongoing adherence.

•    Potential Misuse - Increasing off-label use for cosmetic weight loss is a concern.

•    Unknown Psychological Effects – The effects of neurotransmitter changes on emotional well-being are completely unknown.

Contributed by Dr. Rakesh Kumavat (MBBS)
Team Proceed.Fit

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