Studies have shown thatOzempicworks for weight loss even if the FDA hasn’t approved it for this use. Semaglutide, this Type 2 diabetes weight loss drug’s active ingredient, has been shown to help a person lose about 15% of their body weight, according to Novo Nordisk’s research published in The Lancet.
When people take Ozempic to treat Type 2 diabetes, weight loss is one of its side effects. Medical providers have been prescribing it off-label as a weight loss injection to help people without Type 2 diabetes lose weight.
“Studies have shown that people can lose up to 15% of their body weight within a year while using Ozempic while patients have lost up to 20% and more with Mounjaro,” Dr. Sue Decotiis, triple board-certified weight loss physician, told Drugwatch. “Of course, results always vary… After discontinuation of the medication, long-term results can vary based on the type of follow-up care they receive.”
“Studies have shown that people can lose up to 15% of their body weight within a year while using Ozempic… After discontinuation of the medication, long-term results can vary based on the type of follow-up care they receive.”
Novo Nordisk manufactures another semaglutide-containing drug called Wegovy, which is an FDA-approved weight loss injection. The high demand for semaglutide has led to a shortage of the brand name drugs, and Type 2 diabetes patients and weight loss patients have had to use compounded versions of semaglutide.
How Does Ozempic Cause Weight Loss?
Ozempic mimics the GLP-1 hormone that is released into the gastrointestinal tract when a person eats. GLP-1 prompts the body to release more insulin to help reduce blood sugar. It also signals a feeling of fullness and appetite reduction in the brain, which may cause people to eat less.
“These medications aim to mimic the ingestion of food or recreate those same hunger hormones that are produced when we consume food.”
“These are endogenous glucagon-like peptides (GLP-1s), meaning we already have them in our bodies. These medications aim to mimic the ingestion of food or recreate those same hunger hormones that are produced when we consume food. These hormones are like text messages to various parts of our body that can receive them,” said Antoni Adamrovich, NP, weight loss specialist at TB2.Health.
These messages signal to the brain that there is food in the intestine, which leads to feelings of fullness and a decrease in appetite. The pancreas responds by stimulating more insulin production.
Is There a Generic Version of Ozempic for Weight Loss?
Currently, there is no generic version of Ozempic. However, because there is a shortage of the drug, the FDA allows compounding pharmacies to make compounded semaglutide.
“Compounds are great when they’re high quality because then you can customize the dose. I think the good compounders probably have higher quality than the big pharma drugs,” said Decotiis.
Because compounded semaglutide comes in vials that patients have to administer themselves, it’s very important to follow the instructions of your clinician to avoid potential accidental overdose.
How Long Will It Take To Lose Weight on Ozempic?
In Novo Nordisk’s clinical trials, study participants with Type 2 diabetes took about 40 weeks to lose an average of 14 pounds taking the 2 mgdose of Ozempic. People who took 1 mg of Ozempic lost an average of 12.5 pounds.
In another study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers looked at how semaglutide worked for weight loss in overweight or obese patients with and without Type 2 diabetes. On average, people lost 5.9% of their body weight at three months and 10.9% at six months.
“I lost rapidly, then plateaued. I worked with my clinician to adjust the amount, then lost more weight again. But by that point, my behaviors and brain chemistry had changed, and I didn’t have to fight [to lose weight].” ”
The range of weight loss ranges from 5% to 20% or more in the JAMA study. People with Type 2 diabetes lost less weight than people without Type 2 diabetes. According to experts, Ozempic is more effective for weight loss and blood sugar control when used along with lifestyle changes and exercise.
“I lost rapidly, then plateaued. I worked with my clinician to adjust the amount, then lost more weight again. But by that point, my behaviors and brain chemistry had changed, and I didn’t have to fight. It was just a steady loss until I stopped GLP-1s and moved on to cardiovascular and metabolic repair, which is the state I’m in now,” said Paul Moss, a weight loss patient and co-owner of TB2.Health.
Benefits of Taking Ozempic for Weight Loss
The benefits of taking Ozempic for weight loss in people who are overweight or obese include lowering risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, improving insulin resistance and normalizing blood sugar levels. Some people may have difficulty losing weight with diet and exercise alone, and Ozempic may help these people reach their weight loss goals.
“People entering perimenopause, menopause or men with low testosterone get a little older and can’t maintain the body weight that they used to. Killing themselves at the gym is not going to work if insulin isn’t working,” said Decotiis. “If insulin is really not working, I think these drugs are the answer. But you can’t stop cold turkey. The drugs should be tapered. And you must make sure that you’re getting your body fat measured.”
Studies have shown just a small reduction in weight can reduce the risk for many obesity-related illnesses. For example, weight loss of just 5% to 10% improves cholesterol and blood pressure, according to a study published in Current Obesity Reports. Weight loss of about 10% to 15% may help improve obstructive sleep apnea.
Side Effects Linked To Using Ozempic for Weight Loss
The most commonOzempic side effectsinclude nausea, abdominal discomfort and vomiting. Most of these side effects are mild and may go away after a person’s body adjusts to the medication.
“Gastrointestinal issues are the most common complaint among people just starting semaglutide. Starting with a stepwise dosage and slowly increasing as tolerated is the best way to avoid these side effects,” according to Janie Charlot, a nurse practitioner certified in weight management and functional nutrition.
However, some patients have complained of rare, but serious side effects such as gastroparesis, also known as stomach paralysis. Gastroparesis is a disorder that slows or stops food from moving from the stomach into the small intestine. Food that sits too long in the stomach can harden and cause blockages.
One patient who took Ozempic and Mounjaro experienced severe gastroparesis and subsequently filed anOzempic and Mounjarolawsuit. Jaclyn Bjorklund’s lawyer, Paul Pennock with Morgan & Morgan, said the firm had at least 500 more clients who filedOzempic lawsuitsagainst Novo Nordisk and other GLP-1 drugmakers.
LAWSUIT INFORMATION
Lawsuits are being filed by people who developed severe gastroparesis after using Ozempic.
View Lawsuits
Should I Take Ozempic if I Want To Lose Weight?
You may benefit from taking Ozempic for weight loss if you have a body mass index of 30 or greater or a body mass index of 27 with other health problems that may improve with weight loss. Alternatively, experts recommend taking Wegovy instead. Wegovy contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic and is already FDA-approved for weight loss.
Have an increased risk of thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) syndrome
Have kidney disease
“Those patients who are particularly sensitive to the potential side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, may also not be the best candidates for these medications. A commitment to lifestyle changes is essential for long-term success on these medications,” said Dr. Maria Anton, an endocrinologist and educator at the Pritikin Longevity Center.
Ozempic works by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone. As those hormone levels rise, the molecules go to your brain, telling it you're full. It also slows digestion by increasing the time it takes for food to leave the body. This is similar to the effect of bariatric surgery.
It helps people feel full and triggers the pancreas to produce more insulin. Multiple clinical trials show Ozempic can help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce weight in patients with type 2 diabetes, but patients have reported gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, vomiting and abdominal discomfort.
Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables (at least half of your dinner plate should be vegetables) Eat more lean protein (turkey, white fish) than fatty proteins (red meat) Consider using products like Habitual meal replacements to ensure you're getting all the nutrients you need, whilst controlling calorie intake.
How much weight can you lose in a month on Ozempic? One study found people who received weekly semaglutide injections lost an average of about 15 pounds after three months and about 27 pounds after six months, which translates into about a 5-pound weight loss per month.
“The most common side effects are gastrointestinal in nature: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.” While the majority of people who take Ozempic will most likely experience these symptoms at some point during their treatment, they should subside over time, continues Dr. McGowan.
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) can cause side effects that some people are unable to tolerate. Following dosing guidelines can help manage these side effects. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most common semaglutide side effects. But they usually subside after a few weeks of using the medication.
Although weight loss without medications like Ozempic will most likely be more difficult, it's not impossible, especially if you make dietary and lifestyle changes while you're taking the drugs. “Many people regain weight after they stop taking these drugs because they didn't make these changes,” Laster says.
Speaking of what you eat, certain foods may help accelerate weight loss while taking Ozempic. In particular, protein and fiber both increase feelings of fullness. So, eating foods high in these macronutrients can help you feel full sooner, so you eat less and lose more weight as a result.
People taking GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have noticed side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, are exacerbated by eating certain foods. High-fat, ultra-processed, and high-sugar foods and drinks, such as red meat, soda, and alcohol, are common culprits.
'” Another way the medication works is that it slows down stomach emptying, which slows down the absorption of calories and may contribute to the feeling of fullness, Aronne says. Some experts also believe Ozempic and Wegovy target the "disease mechanism" of obesity, or its underlying causes, Dr.
Walking, eating a healthy mix of foods, and enjoying occasional treats are among some of the methods she's used to shed pounds. The singer also says she uses infrared saunas and cold plunges. “Walking in the city is quite the workout.
In clinical trials of Ozempic, which is one brand name of the drug semaglutide, people lose up to an average of around 6% of their body weight in their first year on the medication, so for a person who weighs 242 lbs, that would be an almost 15 lb weight loss. But that's not true for everyone.
Weight loss medication isn't the only tool in Oprah's kit: She's also an avid exerciser. During her weight loss special, she told viewers that she hikes three to five miles per day and also does "weight resistance training.” Back in 2017, she told The Hollywood Reporter that she hits her home gym soon after waking up.
The degree of weight loss achieved with surgery is usually much greater and lasts longer than with medications. Experts still recommend that people avoid using Ozempic unless they have type 2 diabetes. Instead, talk to your health care provider about starting Wegovy for weight loss.
Use of Ozempic has also led to muscle loss, with The New York Times reporting in February that doctors are looking for ways to counteract this effect. Trunzo notes that more serious complications include pancreatitis and issues of the kidneys, gallbladder, and thyroid.
During an interview with “The View” host Whoopi Goldberg on Monday's “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Clarkson admitted to taking a weight loss drug to lose weight. In January, Clarkson told People magazine that diet and exercise helped her slim down.
Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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