The Weight Loss Craze with Ozempic
Ozempic is a drug used to treat diabetes but many celebrities have been using it for weight loss and have been raving on the efficacy of it. Some of the popular celebrities using it are Oprah Winfrey, Sharon Osbourne and Karan Johar.
Though this drug is not FDA approved for weight loss, many doctors have been prescribing it off the counter. All one needs to do is to take an Ozempic injection weekly at the stomach area/ thigh area or upper arm and results can be seen as early as 4 weeks. The average weight loss lies at 1kg/week.
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Ozempic:
1. What drug is Ozempic and the right dose?
Ozempic is a brand name for the drug, semaglutide. This drug is used to treat Type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin levels in the body to manage blood sugar. When blood sugars are well managed, hunger pangs are reduced. Also, those who are on this medication are usually advised not to be too strict with carbohydrate intake. This is because being too strict may cause hypoglycaemia.
The starting dose would be 0.25mg of Ozempic a week for 4 weeks and the maximum dose would be 2mg/ week.
2. Is Ozempic Safe?
The common side effects are:
•Diarrhea
•Loss of appetite
•Nausea
•Stomach pain
•Vomiting
**These symptoms will resolve over a period of few weeks however may recur if the dose is increased.
Other side effects that are not so common are:
•Change in vision
•Dehydration—increased thirst, dry mouth, feeling faint or lightheaded, headache, dark yellow or brown urine
•Gallbladder problems—severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever
•Heart palpitations—rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
•Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
•Pancreatitis—severe stomach pain that spreads to your back or gets worse after eating or when touched, fever, nausea, vomiting
•Thyroid cancer—new mass or lump in the neck, pain or trouble swallowing, trouble breathing, hoarseness
Hence, it is important to do a continuous blood test while being on this drug.
3. What happens when one stops Ozempic?
Once the drug is stopped, many tend to gain back their weight. In a study done on 2000 people in the year 2022, it showed that most of the individuals regained 2/3 of their weight after one year of cessation. Hence, a holistic way of living is recommended with a balanced diet, exercise, sufficient sleep and stress management.
4. How long can one take Ozempic for?
Ozempic can be taken for long-term use. However, long term use come with a tirade of side effects as well.
All in all, Ozempic is not a recommended drug for anyone who wants to use it. It is not approved by FDA for weight loss and it does not guarantee weight maintenance once anyone goes off it.
References:
- UC Davis Health, Ozempic for weight loss: Does it work, and what do experts recommend?
- UK HealthCare. What you need to know about Ozempic and other drugs being used for weight loss
