Obesity is on the rise in the United States. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that obesity affects more than 4 in 10 people. By 2030, the CDC estimates that half of all American adults will have obesity. The obesity epidemic has sparked a boom in medical weight management solutions.
Among the new crop of weight loss medications, Ozempic has emerged as a hot item. This groundbreaking diabetes drug has garnered considerable attention from celebrities, social media influencers, and prescribers alike for its significant side effect – weight loss. Although the drug is not FDA-approved for weight loss, healthcare providers are increasingly prescribing Ozempic and drugs like it to help patients achieve and maintain a healthy weight. This article will examine Ozempic’s efficacy as a weight loss drug, how it works, and what to consider before taking it.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a prescription drug made by Novo Nordisk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ozempic to manage blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. The active ingredient in Ozempic is a compound called semaglutide, which is classified as a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) 1 receptor agonist.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) drugs mimic the action of GLP-1, a natural hormone produced in the intestines in response to food intake. When you eat, GLP-1 is released from your intestines. It signals the pancreas to release more insulin, a hormone that lowers blood sugar levels. Insulin helps glucose (sugar) in your bloodstream enter cells, where it can be used for energy or stored for later use. GLP-1 ensures that insulin is released when needed, such as after a meal when blood sugar levels rise.
GLP-1 also reduces the release of glucagon, another hormone produced by the pancreas. Glucagon has the opposite effect of insulin; it raises blood sugar levels by signaling the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream. By inhibiting glucagon, GLP-1 helps prevent excessive glucose release from the liver, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
GLP-1 drugs, like Ozempic, also help slow down the emptying of the stomach, which helps to control the rate at which carbohydrates from your meal enter the bloodstream. This gradual release of nutrients can prevent rapid spikes in blood sugar levels after eating.
In addition to helping regulate blood sugar levels, Ozempic allows adults with type 2 diabetes who also have a known heart disease to reduce their risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke.
Ozempic is available in several dosages and is given to patients as a once-weekly injection.
How does Ozempic for weight loss work?
Healthcare providers may prescribe Ozempic for its off-label use as a weight loss aid. It helps with weight loss by stabilizing blood sugar levels and appetite.
Blood sugar management
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, stimulates insulin release from the pancreas. Insulin transports glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into cells for energy and regulates blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels are stabilized, you are less likely to experience rapid spikes and crashes in energy, which can lead to cravings for high-calorie foods.
As detailed above, semaglutide also suppresses glucagon, which raises blood sugar levels by promoting the release of glucose from the liver. By reducing glucagon secretion, GLP-1 helps maintain steady blood sugar levels and prevents excessive hunger caused by low blood sugar.
Appetite reduction
GLP-1 does more than just lower blood sugar levels; it also may help you consume fewer calories.
GLP-1 has receptors in various parts of the brain, including the hypothalamus, which regulates hunger and satiety. When GLP-1 binds to these receptors, it sends signals to your brain to decrease your appetite and food cravings. This helps you feel less hungry and more satisfied with smaller meals.
This molecule also slows down the rate at which your stomach empties its contents into the small intestine. This delay in gastric emptying means that food remains in your stomach for a longer period of time. As a result, you feel full for a more extended period after eating, reducing the urge to consume additional calories.
Whether it is being used for weight loss or type 2 diabetes, Ozempic is prescribed in conjunction with lifestyle changes such as a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It is not used as a standalone treatment for diabetes or obesity.
Is Ozempic safe?
Ozempic was approved by the FDA in 2017 as an adjunct to diet and exercise for improving glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. This approval was based on results from the SUSTAIN clinical trial program, demonstrating significant reductions in HbA1c compared to other medications and statistically significant weight loss.
While Ozempic is safe and effective for most adults managing type 2 diabetes, it has been shown to cause side effects in some patients.
The most common side effects of Ozempic are gastrointestinal issues that include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation.
Less common but more severe adverse events may include:
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Vision changes
- Increased risk of thyroid cancer or tumors
- Allergic reactions like skin rash, swelling, breathing difficulties
In addition, Ozempic may not be safe for certain individuals with previously diagnosed medical conditions.
Healthcare providers may avoid prescribing Ozempic for people with:
- A history of pancreatitis
- Gallbladder problems
- Kidney disease
- Thyroid disorders (like medullary thyroid carcinoma)
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- Retinopathy (eye problems)
- Any digestive disorders
Ozempic may not be prescribed to pregnant women, women who are trying to conceive, or women who are breastfeeding.
Who should take Ozempic for weight loss?
Ozempic is FDA-approved to regulate blood sugar levels in patients managing type 2 diabetes. Its use as a weight loss aid is off-label, meaning that weight loss is not the primary use of this drug. However, because 90% of adults with type 2 diabetes also have obesity or are overweight, the several benefits of Ozempic affect both conditions.
Higher doses of Ozempic were shown to have the most significant effect on body weight during clinical trials. During these tests, adults with excess weight or obesity were given 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide (Ozempic) or a placebo (accompanied by lifestyle changes) for 68 weeks. The patients who took Ozempic in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet and increased exercise lost 14.9% of their body weight. Individuals who took a placebo lost 2.9% of their body weight on average.
While these findings are impressive, it should be noted that you cannot get a 2.4 mg dosage of Ozempic. Ozempic is only available in .5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg dosages. While these dosages may still affect body weight, they are not the same as what was given to participants in clinical trials.
In sum, Ozempic is primarily prescribed to patients to treat type 2 diabetes. Its use as a weight loss aid is supplemental to its primary function of controlling blood sugar levels. For a more targeted approach to chronic weight management, Novo Nordisk developed a sister medication to Ozempic, sold under the brand name Wegovy.
What is the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?
Wegovy and Ozempic are made by the same company, Novo Nordisk, and contain the same active compound—semaglutide. They are both administered as a once-weekly injection. However, Wegovy is specifically FDA-approved as a chronic weight management aid.
Wegovy contains a higher dose of semaglutide than Ozempic. The most potent formulation of Ozempic currently on the market is 2 mg. Wegovy is available in 1.7 and 2.0 mg dosages.
Wegovy is indicated for use in adults with obesity (with a body mass index—BMI—of 30 kg/m2 or greater) or overweight adults (with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater) who also have weight-related medical problems such as osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or cardiovascular disease who have not met weight-loss goals (loss of at least 5 percent of total body weight at three to six months) with lifestyle changes like a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise.
Wegovy is usually prescribed at a lower dosage that increases over several weeks—maxing out at 2.4 mg per dose. This is known as a maintenance dose.
How do I get a prescription for weight loss drugs?
Semaglutide—sold under the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus—is a prescription drug, meaning that you must have a written order from a licensed healthcare provider to get it. You cannot buy Ozempic over the counter.
Semaglutide weight loss drugs are prescribed to individuals with obesity or individuals who are overweight and managing a weight-related health condition. If you are curious about Ozempic or any other weight loss drug, talk to your healthcare provider about whether or not these treatment options are right for you. This is also an excellent time to discuss cost, potential side effects, and any concerns you may have.
How Sesame can help
Sesame offers an affordable and comprehensive online weight loss program to help you get started on your weight loss journey. Success by Sesame is a month-to-month subscription that includes a video consultation with a weight loss doctor or specialist of your choice, compounded semaglutide medication (if appropriate), unlimited messaging with your provider, ongoing support, and more.
Maintaining a healthy weight can lead to significant health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease, improved mobility, better sleep, and enhanced overall well-being. Get started on your weight loss journey today. Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your healthcare provider.
