Nowadays most individuals are suffering from various health complications, due to an unhealthy lifestyle, physical inactivity, etc. Among those health issues, obesity and diabetes are the most common. To some extent, weight gain is indirectly associated with type-2 diabetes. So, people want to get rid of this problem and take various medicines without researching the available medicines. Various medicines are available for weight loss, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and many more, but Ozempic is the most trusted medicine that creates a buzz in the market and is developed for diabetes management.
Today, in this article, you will learn about the Ozempic drug which may be used to reduce your body weight, and how to get Ozempic for weight loss.
What is Ozempic Medication?
Before searching for Ozempic in physical or Online stores, all should know what Ozempic is. Ozempic is the branded medication for the generic drug named Semaglutide, It is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like-peptide-1) agonist Class of medication which is also an active ingredient used in this medicine. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved Ozempic for the treatment of weight loss in patients. Instead, this medication is approved only for the treatment of Type II Diabetes.
Other than that, this drug is also used off-label to treat excess body fat.
Functioning of Ozempic Drug
It is a GLP-1 agonist that belongs to the class of drugs called Glucagon-like peptide-1. Ozempic is an agonist that mimics a hormone and gives signals to the brain to slow down the digestion process. Semaglutide is the main ingredient in Ozempic is available also as an oral tablet for type-2 diabetes patients. It cannot be taken as a substitute for insulin because Ozempic relies upon your own body’s insulin.
Taking this drug will make you feel full and also help prevent the pancreas from stopping the production of glycogen (blood sugar).
How to Avail Ozempic Medication For Weight Loss
Many individuals often ask the question, “Where can I get Ozempic drug?”. You may buy this medicine online through online pharmacies as well as from physical drug stores.
As already mentioned above, Ozempic drug is not approved by the FDA for weight loss, however, before taking any medication, you should seek advice from your healthcare professionals.
If Ozempic branded medicine is not available in drug stores or online pharmacies or both, then Wegovy can be used as an alternative solution.
Is Ozempic Beneficial For Weight Loss?
Ozempic is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating weight loss in individuals. However, certain side effects of this medication’s mechanism of action may be helpful to lose extra fat in the body.
Semaglutide is an active component of Ozempic which may be helpful for weight management. After taking this medication, it helps in slowing down the function of the digestive tract. This will make the person feel full for a long time and also decrease the consumption of food by reducing the cravings.
Is Ozempic Helpful for Treating Type II Diabetes?
Keep in mind, that Ozempic is approved by the FDA for the treatment of Type-2 diabetes only.
Type-2 diabetes is also known as Diabetes Mellitus, which is a common type of diabetes occurring in a lot of people. In this type of diabetes, the pancreas is not able to produce insulin which is required to regulate glucose levels in the blood.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Taking Ozempic Drug
Before taking this drug, you should keep these things in mind:
- Those who have a history of medical conditions like medullary thyroid carcinoma (thyroid cancer) should not take this medication.
- If you don’t have any insurance plans, then your treatment for Ozempic will not be covered in it. You might ask your doctor or pharmacist for a coupon which may help reduce your treatment cost.
- A person who is taking Ozempic should avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar like alcohol, red meat, etc.
- This medicine should be kept away from heat and light.
- Ozempic pen (injectable) should be stored at room temperature.
- You should tell your doctor if you have a history of stomach or intestinal disorder or kidney disease history.
- If you are in the pregnancy period or going to become pregnant then consult your doctor first because this medication will harm your unborn baby.
- You should also consult your doctor in the case of breastfeeding because it will pass through the breast milk to your baby and may harm the baby as well.
Forms and Dosages
Ozempic comes in the form of a pre-filled pen injection with use for one person only. This injection is administrated subcutaneously into the person’s body just beneath the skin. Its dosages are effective in lowering glucose levels.
The dosage strengths of Ozempic drug are as follows:-
- 2 mg/1.5 ml
- 4 mg/3 ml
- 8 mg/3 ml
The doctor may prescribe an optimal dosage of this drug to patients for weight loss.
Side Effects of Using Ozempic Medicine
There are some side effects which may vary from person to person, such as:-
Common Side Effects
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Abdomen pain
- Nausea
- Tiredness
- Decreased level of blood sugar
- Heartburn
Severe Side Effects
- Renal damage (Kidney problem)
- Pancreatitis (redness and swelling of the pancreas)
- Uncommon mood swings
- Gallbladder illness (jaundice, inflammation in gallbladder, and abdomen ache)
- Hypoglycemia (low glucose level)
- Vision problems (blurred vision or vision loss)
- Frequent urination
- Unexpected weight loss
- Allergic reaction
- Thyroid tumor (thyroid are the glands which regulate the body’s function)
Alternatives of Ozempic
There are a few drugs with Semaglutide as an active component, such as Wegovy, Rybelsus, and more. These medications are FDA-approved and are used for the treatment of weight loss and decreased blood sugar. If you have only the problem of being overweight then you can also take some other weight loss medications like Meridia, Reductil, and Slimall.
Should I Take an Off-brand Variant of Ozempic?
FDA has approved the use of Semaglutide as the generic version of Ozempic and Wegovy drugs. According to them, off-label versions of these drugs may not be effective or safe.
Conclusion
For treating diseases, medicines play a significant role in our lives. Obesity and Type-2 diabetes are related to each other to some extent. Ozempic is approved only for treating Type 2 diabetes and can be taken once a week as an injection or after being prescribed by the doctor. However, this drug is not approved for treating weight loss. You can consult your healthcare provider before taking the Ozempic drug.