WHAT IS THE OZEMPIC INJECTION?
GLP-1 analog and receptor agonist preparations, such as Ozempic, Saxenda, Trulicity, etc., are the new generation of drugs for the treatment of increased body weight. Semaglutide (Ozempic) in fact seems to excel in weight loss, while the spotlight has also turned to it.
Abroad, this particular injection has already been widely heard, as many celebrities use it for rapid weight loss. Thus, the demand for Ozempic gradually increased and has now reached a huge shortage worldwide.
The Food and Drug Administration first approved this injectable drug for the treatment of diabetes in 2017. Then, the agency approved the drug Wegovy, which contains the same active ingredient as ozempic, for the treatment of obesity in 2021. That’s when the drug became “famous.” Especially on the internet, there is intense interest and constant search for this injection, which is now hard to find.
WHAT DOES IT DO?
Its active ingredient is semaglutide. It is an analogue of GLP-1. Its main action is to stimulate insulin production in the body and reduce the amount of glucose produced by the liver. It ultimately seems to have multiple benefits:
– sugar regulation and reduction of glycosylated hemoglobin
– improvement of cardiovascular profile
– improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver infiltration
– reduction of blood pressure
– weight loss
This particular drug has therefore been shown to help with weight loss by a dual mechanism. First, it directly affects the hypothalamus, the appetite center, and reduces the feeling of hunger. Second, it binds to receptors in the stomach, resulting in delaying the removal of food after a meal, giving the feeling of rapid and prolonged satiety, leading to reduced food intake. Clinical studies show significant weight loss ranging from approximately 3% -14% in the first 3 months of continuous use, and up to 25% in 6 months.
HOW DO I USE IT?
First of all, we should emphasize that this injection should be administered with the consent of the attending physician. Your doctor will decide whether you need it, at what dose and for how long.
Ozempic is a subcutaneous injection that is given in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. The injection site can be changed without dose adjustment. Ozempic should not be administered intravenously or intramuscularly. Its use is once a week, on the same day each week, if possible. You can inject at any time of the day, regardless of meals.
Once you inject, the maximum level is reached in one to three days. However, it may take longer to see its effects. The initial dose is 0.25 mg once a week for the first 4 weeks. Then, with the guidance of the doctor, the dose can be increased to 0.5 mg per week. If you need additional titration, the dose can be increased to 1 mg once a week for at least 4 weeks. Your doctor will guide you on the correct dosage.
Abroad, semaglutide, under the trade name Wegovy, used for weight loss, is available in doses up to 2.4 mg, but in our country it has not yet received an official prescription indication through EOPYY.
WHO IS IT INTENDED FOR?
It is intended for people with Diabetes Mellitus who are unable to regulate their blood sugar levels or in combination with other antidiabetic drugs for better glycemic control.
Regarding the treatment of obesity. It is administered to adults who:
have a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² (obesity)
have a BMI ≥ 27 kg/m², with concomitant weight-related diseases (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipid levels, obstructive sleep apnea or a history of heart attack, stroke).
Wegovy abroad has been approved for administration to adolescents (>12 years) with obesity (BMI > 95th percentile) or overweight (BMI > 85th percentile) and at least one co-existing condition related to increased body weight.
https://co-metabolism.gr/en/ypologismos-bmi-rmr/
DOES IT HAVE SIDE EFFECTS?
The most commonly reported adverse reactions are gastrointestinal disturbances, including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. The duration of these symptoms varies among patients. Typically, the symptoms resolve after a period of adjustment, but when the dose is increased, they are likely to recur.
The use of Ozempic may be associated with other adverse reactions, such as headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, and fatigue, which are flu-like symptoms. These adverse reactions are generally mild and may resolve on their own.
No episodes of severe hypoglycemia were observed when semaglutide was used as monotherapy. However, symptoms of hypoglycemia are likely to occur when Ozempic is combined with other antidiabetic tablets.
Rarer side effects are cholelithiasis and pancreatitis. Particular attention should be paid to the fact that there are contraindications to the use of GLP-1 analogues and receptor agonists, such as their use in individuals who do not meet anthropometric criteria, women of reproductive age who want to become pregnant, pregnant and lactating women, individuals with a family history of thyroid cancer.
WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM RESULTS?
There are still no studies that show us whether or not the pounds lost with such treatments are maintained. However, the “fast” and “magic” methods of losing weight and treating obesity result in the loss not being maintained and all the pounds lost being regained. This happens for the following reasons:
- “emotional hunger” remains: that is, food remains the main way to deal with anxiety, chronic stress and depression.
- weight loss is not accompanied by nutritional education on the right combinations of foods and the feeling of satiety.
- weight loss is not accompanied by lifestyle changes such as the integration of exercise into the daily life of individuals.
Ozempic is a drug that has been described by many as a miracle remedy for weight loss. Although the results are encouraging, we should remember that pharmacotherapy is not the first choice method for treating obesity and should in no case be applied exclusively. Weight loss medications are only one part of a comprehensive treatment program that should primarily include changes in diet and overall lifestyle. Physical exercise and dietary changes are the only safe approaches to treating obesity in the long term.
