Ozempic, commonly used among diabetic patients, has become hugely popular in recent years, with influencers and celebrities shouting about its weight loss benefits.
For those with busy lifestyles, struggling to lose weight or needing to get in shape quickly for an event, Ozempic may seem like the easiest option, but is it too good to be true?
In today's blog post, we will look into the medication Ozempic, the long-term side effects of using Ozempic for weight loss, the studies that have been carried out concerning Ozempic and what it does to the body.
Ozempic (semaglutide) injection (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg (only available in the US) is an injectable prescription medicine commonly used to manage blood sugar levels among those with type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic is taken once a week to manage blood glucose levels. It helps the body to produce more insulin when needed, along with suppressing the amount of glucose produced in the liver by increasing the amount of the hormone “incretins”.
Celebrities have been recently showcasing dramatic weight loss across social media, with many speaking out and stating that the reason why was Ozempic. Of course, those who have seen the rapid weight loss want to try it out for themselves.
Body trends are always changing and being discussed and debated across social media - there’s no denying that social media heavily influences the way people think and act. But is Ozempic dangerous? What are the side effects?
Experts recommend that you talk to your doctor about taking Wegovy for weight loss as an alternative to Ozempic.
The safety of using Semaglutide the active ingredient in Ozempic for weight loss in high risk individuals living with overweight or obesity, with or without Tye 2 Diabetes, with established cardiovascular disease such as previous heart attacks and strokes has been shown in the various clinical trials to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular death Despite this there could be potential risks involved and the risks and benefits must always be weighed up.
Just like any other medication, there are some common side effects you may experience while using this weight loss medication. Ozempic side effects may include:
Whilst these symptoms may be annoying to deal with, as your body adjusts to the drug, they typically start to subside. However, there is a small risk of more severe reactions like severe allergic reactions and pancreatitis.
This is why you must let your doctor know that you are taking Ozempic - so that they can identify if it is safe for you to do so.
There are many health effects Ozempic can have on the body. Let's look into the negative and positive impacts:
Ozempic shouldn’t be taken lightly. Some potential risks could include:
Studies on animals, like rats and mice, have shown that high doses of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Ozempic, can lead to more thyroid tumours. This means there's a concern about whether these drugs might cause thyroid cancer in humans.
Currently, there is no clear evidence to link thyroid tumours with Ozempic in humans. It is suspected that Ozempic may stimulate certain cells within the thyroid gland, causing them to grow into tumours.
If you take Ozempic, you must seek advice from a healthcare professional and get regular checkups on your overall health and thyroid health so that any potential problems can be caught early.
When using Ozempic, one of the potential risks is low blood sugar - also known as hypoglycemia.
This can happen if you're taking other diabetes medications, skipping meals, exercising more than usual, or drinking alcohol without eating.
Symptoms of low blood sugar include:
To prevent this, always take Ozempic as prescribed and monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. Also, eat balanced meals and adjust physical activity levels as needed.
If you experience any symptoms of low blood sugar, consult your doctor for guidance on managing it safely.
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, a gland located behind the stomach that plays a crucial role in digestion and regulating blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of pancreatitis can include:
Always discuss any concerns or potential side effects with your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication, including Ozempic.
It’s not all doom and gloom - here are some benefits to taking this weight loss medication:
Ozempic has been shown to promote significant weight loss in those with obesity, making it an effective option for weight management alongside lifestyle changes.
For those who are overweight, Ozempic can quickly help them get down to a healthy weight which will reduce negative health problems in the future associated with being overweight or obese. Since the launch of Wegovy which contains Semaglutide, the same active ingredient as Ozempic, Ozempic can be used solely for those with people living with overweight and obesity who also have Type 2 Diabetes.
Ozempic encourages the pancreas to release more insulin in response to meals, helping to lower blood sugar levels after eating.
This is beneficial as it will slow down the rate at which food empties from the stomach into the small intestine. This ultimately helps to regulate the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream.
High blood sugar levels can lead to complications such as cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, and eye problems. By improving blood sugar control, Ozempic may help reduce the risk of these long-term complications in people with Type 2 Diabetes.
Being a healthy weight is important and can prevent you from having serious health conditions in the future such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems and cancer.
Studies have shown that Ozempic may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death in individuals with type 2 diabetes and existing cardiovascular disease.
This means that those taking Ozempic may have a lower likelihood of experiencing these serious cardiovascular complications, which can significantly improve their overall heart health and longevity.
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Taking too much Ozempic and exceeding the recommended dose can lead to very serious health complications and an overdose.
Overdosing on Ozempic can cause excessively low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), which can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
Always take the correct dose that has been prescribed to you by a healthcare professional to suit you.
Stopping Ozempic (Semaglutide) abruptly or without proper medical guidance can have various effects on your body, especially if you've been using it for diabetes management or weight loss.
For those using Ozempic for weight loss, discontinuing the medication may result in a return or increase in appetite, potentially leading to weight regain.
The appetite-suppressing effects of Ozempic may wear off once the medication is stopped, making it challenging to maintain the weight loss achieved with the medication. Ensuring that treatment is accompanied by changes in diet, exercise and lifestyle are essential to long-term sustainability.
A calorie deficit is ultimately the only way to lose weight, which works best combined with regular exercise. Ozempic can place you into a calorie deficit by suppressing your hunger - which is why it works so well.
Ozempic is a good option for those who struggle to diet or feel they have no time to track their calories. However, if you feel like a weight loss injection isn't for you there are other options.
Weight loss injections are a great way to reach a healthy weight especially when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
Wegovy, also known as semaglutide, has been approved by the FDA, MHRA and NICE for weight management in those who are obese or overweight.
Just like Ozempic, you take Wegovy once a week via injection. It works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which helps you regulate appetite and food intake.
Wegovy will activate GLP-1 receptors in the brain to reduce hunger, including feelings of fullness, leading to reduced food intake. This ultimately promotes weight loss.
Here at Dr. Frank's Weight Loss Clinic, we offer Wegovy weight loss injections in different doses, and it has been proven to be a miracle worker for our clients who have been successful and happy with their weight loss and lifestyle changes.
You can find out the weight loss injection best suited to you by completing an online consultation or a remote video consultation, with one of our experts.
Here at Dr Franks, we offer weight loss medication to those who are overweight and want to change their lifestyle. For example, people with a body mass index(BMI) of 27 or higher, or those with obesity-related health conditions.
We have a team of professionals who will be on hand to help and support you through your journey with us. Losing weight is a difficult journey which is why we are here to help you every step of the way.
We keep up to date with our clients throughout their journey and a lot of them have stated that they feel safe and secure and trust the advice they have been given at Dr. Franks.
They have said they feel more energetic, in control of their food and overall healthier.
During clinical trials, it has been proven that our weight loss injections are both safe and effective. Our injections are effective long term in comparison to just relying on a diet and exercise alone.
Susan lost 5 Stone in just 12 months
“For the first time, losing weight has been both easy and successful in my life.”
Cadi lost 3 Stone in just 12 months
“If you're aiming to lose weight or manage polycystic ovaries, go for this program. It's undoubtedly the best decision.”
Ethan lost 5 Stone in just 5 months
“I’ve never felt so comfortable in my own skin. It's a newfound sense of confidence and well-being that has positively impacted every aspect of my life.”
Dimitra lost 4 Stone in just 8 months
“I cannot recommend this programme enough; it truly works! It's the sole solution that has been effective after my long struggle.”
Lauren lost 5 Stone in just 8 months
“I would advise anyone considering this programme that it's a transformative experience. It has allowed me to embrace life and fully enjoy my twenties.”
Susan lost 5 Stone in just 12 months
“For the first time, losing weight has been both easy and successful in my life.”
Cadi lost 3 Stone in just 12 months
“If you're aiming to lose weight or manage polycystic ovaries, go for this program. It's undoubtedly the best decision.”
Ethan lost 5 Stone in just 5 months
“I’ve never felt so comfortable in my own skin. It's a newfound sense of confidence and well-being that has positively impacted every aspect of my life.”
Dimitra lost 4 Stone in just 8 months
“I cannot recommend this programme enough; it truly works! It's the sole solution that has been effective after my long struggle.”
Lauren lost 5 Stone in just 8 months
“I would advise anyone considering this programme that it's a transformative experience. It has allowed me to embrace life and fully enjoy my twenties.”
Susan lost 5 Stone in just 12 months
“For the first time, losing weight has been both easy and successful in my life.”
Cadi lost 3 Stone in just 12 months
“If you're aiming to lose weight or manage polycystic ovaries, go for this program. It's undoubtedly the best decision.”
Ethan lost 5 Stone in just 5 months
“I’ve never felt so comfortable in my own skin. It's a newfound sense of confidence and well-being that has positively impacted every aspect of my life.”
Dimitra lost 4 Stone in just 8 months
“I cannot recommend this programme enough; it truly works! It's the sole solution that has been effective after my long struggle.”
Lauren lost 5 Stone in just 8 months
“I would advise anyone considering this programme that it's a transformative experience. It has allowed me to embrace life and fully enjoy my twenties.”