Using Ozempic for Weight Loss: How It Works and What to Expect

In the quest to shed excess weight, people often turn to not only exercise and proper nutrition but also medications, such as the diabetes drug semaglutide, known under the brand names "Ozempic" and "Wegovy." We discussed how this medication works and its potential side effects with a doctor and a young woman who used Ozempic for weight loss.

 How Does Ozempic Work?

Semaglutide, marketed as "Ozempic," is a medication from the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog group. It operates at the hypothalamic level by activating GLP-1 receptors, enhancing satiety signals, and reducing hunger signals, thereby decreasing food intake. Additionally, it has a glucose-dependent effect on insulin secretion and lowers glucagon secretion, which results in reduced blood glucose levels. Ozempic is prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes, a body mass index (BMI) over 30, and individuals with arterial hypertension.

Effectiveness and Risks of Ozempic for Weight Loss

Semaglutide and its analogs can be considered weight-loss injections. They are indeed an effective method for reducing body weight, but expecting miraculous results without effort is unrealistic. When injections are stopped and old eating habits are resumed, the excess weight quickly returns. Therefore, dietary behavior modification is crucial to maintaining the desired weight.

Potential Side Effects

Using this medication can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. These symptoms are common but usually occur in the first few weeks of treatment. Over time, they subside and do not necessitate stopping the injections. Currently, no long-term side effects have been definitively proven.

Contraindications

Semaglutide should not be taken during pregnancy, lactation, with type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, gastric paresis, renal or hepatic insufficiency, inflammatory bowel diseases, medullary thyroid carcinoma, and MEN-2 syndrome.

Personal Experience with Ozempic for Weight Loss

A young woman shared her experience with Ozempic for weight loss. She tried many weight loss methods with a doctor, constantly counting calories, but the weight didn't come off. When she despaired, her doctor suggested using a medication to aid weight loss, which turned out to be Ozempic.

Initially, she experienced significant side effects with another medication, Saxenda, including severe nausea and vomiting, which made daily activities almost impossible. When she switched to Ozempic, she still felt nausea and a strong aversion to food but found it more tolerable.

She reached her lowest weight after 18 months of using Ozempic, but after stopping the injections, her weight increased again. Working with a nutritionist, she has since shifted to a balanced diet without strict calorie counting, focusing on the nutritional content of her meals. This approach has helped her stabilize her weight and improve her overall health.

Using Ozempic for weight loss is effective but comes with challenges and requires a comprehensive approach to diet and lifestyle to maintain results.