Ozempic (semaglutide) is an FDA-approved medication that lowers blood sugar in adults with type-2 diabetics. Ozempic’s weekly insulin injection helps lower blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas. It mimics GLP-1, which is released by the digestive system after meals. It causes the body’s insulin to be produced and decreases appetite. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved it for adults with type 2 diabetes in 2017

Introduction

Ozempic helps to manage blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of cardiovascular events like stroke or heart attacks in adults with type-2 diabetes. Ozempic should not be used solely to lose weight. Its potential to help with weight loss has attracted attention and led some people to use it off-label.

The Ozempic functions by assisting the pancreas to produce more insulin, decreasing liver sugar production, and slowing down the rate of food passing through the body. These mechanisms help lower blood sugar and reduce cardiovascular risk.

Ozempic, which is administered as a subcutaneous injection once a week, should be used in conjunction with diet and exercise to achieve maximum efficacy. Ozempic should not be used by individuals with type 1 diabetic mellitus.

Ozempic can be a useful tool for the management of type-2 diabetes. It helps to improve blood glucose control and reduce cardiovascular risks when combined with diet and physical activity. Its off-label usage for weight loss requires careful consideration and consultations with healthcare professionals.

Celebrities, media personalities, and influencers have endorsed the drug for its effectiveness in weight loss. In 2021, FDA approved a high-dose version, Wegovy. This is despite its initial approval in 2017 for diabetes treatment. This FDA approval has further fuelled discussions about the weight loss potential of semaglutide, leading to widespread conversation on social media platforms such as TikTok.

Healthcare professionals warn against using Ozempic or similar medications, such as Wegovy, for weight loss off-label. Ozempic is perceived as a vanity medication rather than an important medication for managing diabetes.Ozempic can be a useful tool for the management of type-2 diabetes. It helps improve blood sugar control, and reduces cardiovascular risk when combined with diet and physical activity. Its off-label weight loss use requires careful consideration and consultation with a healthcare professional.

How Ozempic Works to Lower Blood Sugar Levels in Type 2 Diabetes?

Ozempic (also known as semaglutide) is a medication that has been approved to treat type 2 diabetes among adults. Its multifaceted mechanism of action addresses various aspects of glucose control to effectively manage blood sugar. Ozempic’s action in the body is explained below:

Insulin production:- Ozempic mimics a gut hormone called glucagon like peptide-1(GLP-1). It stimulates insulin release from the pancreas after ingestion. Insulin is a key player in lowering blood glucose levels. It does this by facilitating glucose uptake from the bloodstream and into the cells where it can be used for energy.

Ozempic works by mimicking GLP-1 to reduce glucose production in liver. The liver plays a crucial role in maintaining blood glucose levels by releasing the necessary amount of glucose into bloodstream. Ozempic suppresses this process and prevents excessive glucose release, contributing to better glycemic management.

Slowing Gastric Filling: Ozempic’s ability to slow the movement of food in the stomach is another mechanism of action. This delay in the gastric emptying regulates the rate of glucose entering the bloodstream from food. Ozempic slows the absorptio.

Ozempic can also influence brain areas that regulate appetite and fullness. Ozempic modulates these neural pathways to decrease appetite and increase feelings of fullness. This can contribute to weight loss. Weight management is crucial in managing diabetes, as excess body weight can worsen blood glucose control and exacerbate insulin resistance.

Ozempic is a comprehensive solution to type 2 diabetes management. It addresses multiple aspects of glucose regulation. Ozempic can help individuals with type-2 diabetes achieve and maintain optimal levels of blood sugar by increasing insulin production and reducing glucose production in their liver. It also slows gastric emptying and may aid in weight loss. Ozempic is a great tool for managing diabetes. However, you should consult a doctor to get personalized advice and treatment recommendations.

Uses of Ozempic

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment – Ozempic can be used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults.

Blood Sugar Regulation: It regulates blood sugar by simulating the hormone glucagon like peptide-1, which stimulates the secretion of insulin from the pancreas.

Ozempic Reduces Cardiovascular Risk: Ozempic reduces the risk of serious adverse cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart attack in adults with type 2 Diabetes and established cardiovascular diseases.

Weight Management:- Although not its primary indication for Ozempic, it may help individuals with type-2 diabetes lose weight by slowing down gastric emptying. It could also influence appetite-regulating pathways.

Use in Combination with Other Anti-Diabetic Medications : It can be taken alone or combined with other anti-diabetic medications to achieve optimal blood sugar control.

Convenience: Ozempic can be administered once a week, which is a more convenient schedule than daily medication.

Comprehensive Diabetes Care:- Ozempic offers a comprehensive approach to managing type 2 diabetes by addressing multiple facets of glucose regulation and cardiovascular risk.

Contraindication

• Ozempic is contraindicated in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus. 
• It should not be used in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
• Ozempic is not recommended for those with known hypersensitivity to semaglutide or its inactive ingredients.
• Pediatric patients under 18 years old should not use Ozempic.
• It should not be initiated in patients with a history of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). 
• Use of Ozempic during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.

Side effects of Ozempic

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Injection site reactions (redness, swelling, itching)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Thyroid tumors

Comparison between Ozempic and Trulicity

Precautions and warnings for Ozempic

• Thyroid Cancer:- Ozempic contains a boxed caution regarding the risks of thyroid tumors including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
• Ozempic has been linked to cases of acute pancreatitis.
• Hypoglycemia – Ozempic may cause low blood sugar levels, particularly when combined with other diabetes medications.
• Ozempic is not recommended for patients with kidney disease, since its effects on this population have not been well studied.
• Ozempic can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Some patients may have reactions such as redness and itching at the injection site.
• Rare reports of severe allergic reactions to Ozempic.
• Heart Rate Increases: Ozempic can cause an increase in heart rates, especially in patients with heart conditions.
• Ozempic has been linked to cases of acute kidney injury.

Direction for Use

Check the label on your pen to see if it contains Ozempic . Ozempic, the medicine contained in your pen, should be clear and colorless.

• Attach a new needle:Remove the tab by tearing it off. Turn the needle until it is snug. Remove both needle caps.
• Press and hold the dose button until the dose counter displays the flow check symbol. Hold down the dose button and press it until the dose counter reads 0. Assure that a drop of solution appears on the needle’s tip.
• Select your dose : The dose counter will show the correct dose (0.25mg or 0.5mg for the pen with the red label, 1mg for the pen with the blue label, and 2mg for the pen that has the yellow label).
• Inject your dose : Press the dose button and hold it down. Hold down the dose button. Once the dose counter has reached 0, count slowly to 6.

After injection:  Remove the needle carefully and place it into a sharps container. Reattach the cap to the pen.

Dosage Schedule

Start with 0.25 mg every week for the first four weeks. This will give your body time to adjust to the medication.

Your health care provider may increase the dosage to 0.5mg once a weekly in Week 5.As your type 2 diabetic condition changes, so may the A1C requirements. Ozempic provides pens with doses as low as 1 mg and doses up to 2 mg for you to achieve additional A1C control. While your dose might change, the way you take Ozempic ^(r) will not change. The 1 mg and the 2 mg dose pens work the same way as the pen that you currently use.

Storage and disposal

Keep your new, unopened Ozempic (r) pen in the fridge between 36°F and 46°F (between 2°C and 8°C).
You can store your pen at room temperature for up to 56 days between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C) or in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (between 2°C & 8°C).
You can store your pen at room temperature for up to 56 days between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C) or in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C).
After 56 days, you should dispose of the Ozempic (r) pen, even if there are still Ozempic (r) in it. You can write the date of disposal on your calendar.
After use, dispose of your Ozempic (r) pen or needle in an FDA-cleared sharps container.
If kept in the fridge, an unopened Ozempic (r) pen can be used up to the date of expiration (“EXP”) on the label.
Ozempic (r) should not be frozen. If it has been frozen, do not use Ozempic (r).
Ozempic (r) should be kept away from light and heat.
Do not place Ozempic (r) pens in direct contact with the cooling element when storing them in the fridge.
Keep all medications, including Ozempic (r), out of reach of children.
When not in use, keep the cap on your pen.

Frequently asked questions about Ozempic

Q:1 When will Ozempic start working?
It takes approximately Four to five weeks To achieve a stable level of Ozempic, you must maintain it in your system. It may take up to 8 weeks for the full effects of Ozempic to be felt. Your healthcare provider will usually check your hemoglobin-A1C (HbA1C, or A1C), a measure of your average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 month.

Q:2 What should I do when I miss an Ozempic dose?
Nova Nordisk is the creator of Ozempic and provides the following guidelines.You should take your missed dose as soon as you can within five days. Ozempic should not be taken in two doses within 48 hours.
Take your next dose as scheduled if it has been over 5 days since you missed your dose.
Q:3 Can Ozempic be used in patients with kidney problems?
A new clinical trial conducted by Novo Nordisk has shown that semaglutide (marketed under the name Ozempic) can reduce the risk of kidney-related events among people with type 2 diabetics (T2D), and chronic kidney disease.
Q:4 Is Ozempic safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Ozempic is a brand-name subcutaneous injection that’s prescribed to help manage blood sugar levels and lower the risk of cardiovascular problems. It contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Ozempic may not be safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Q:5 Can I drink alcohol while using Ozempic?
Ozempic users should follow the following guidelines to reduce their risk: Limit your alcohol consumption to no more that 1-2 standard units of alcohol per day. Never drink on an empty stomach. Always drink alongside food. Eat carbohydrate-containing meals when drinking.