Ozempic is intended to help people with diabetes manage blood sugar.
So should you use it for weight loss?
What is Ozempic?
Photo: Getty Images and Novo Medlink
According to theAmerican Diabetes Association, as of 2021, 38.4 million people in the U.S. have diabetes.
This highlights how our past treatment plans may not have been serving every person diagnosed with diabetes.
People are instructed to take this medication once a week, as prescribed by a healthcare provider.
Many health conditions tend to co-occurlike obesity and diabeteswhich are both risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Tackling these two factors with one medication may enticing to many people.
But, what if you don’t have diabetes and you better lose weight?
Can taking this medication be a solution for you too?
And due to FDA guidelines, Ozempic is a drug indicated for diabetes."
Is Using Ozempic Safe for Weight Loss?
Anecdotal and some clinical evidence suggests that people without diabetes who take Ozempic tend to lose weight.
It needs to be mentioned that this study was funded by Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic.
It’s also approved for those with obesity and no other weight-related condition.
Using Ozempic for weight loss appears to have the same effect.
They then took them off the medication and stopped the lifestyle interventions.
Within the first year after stopping Ozempic, most people regained two-thirds of the weight they had lost.
These study authors suggest that you oughta stay on the drug indefinitely to see long-term health benefits.
Are There Side Effects Linked to Ozempic?
Every medication we put in our body comes with potential side effects, some being more concerning than others.
Other serious side effects include pancreatitis, vision changes, low blood sugar, kidney failure and gallbladder problems.
They should start you on a low dose and gradually work you up to higher doses if needed.
If someone suggests you start at the top 2.4 mg dose, go see someone else for your prescription.
