Addressing Ozempic

By Rob Vaughn CONTRIBUTOR

Ozempic is everywhere at the moment. Whether in the form of Ozempic or its generic form Semaglutide or as another brand medication known as Wegovy, most have heard of it. Originally developed for those suffering from diabetes, it has also garnered interest as a very effective weight loss medication.

So, what does this medication do exactly? Ozempic/Wegovy/Semaglutide is considered a GLP-1 Analogue. Glp-1 is a natural hormone that your body produces, generally in the intestine, to stimulate the release of insulin in the presence of high blood sugar while decreasing the release of glucagon (which helps to not raise blood sugar). In layman’s terms, it is an effective tool in the fight to control ones A1C and help reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack in people with diabetes who cannot produce enough insulin on their own.

Another important activity of GLP-1 is that it helps to delay gastric emptying in turn decreasing the amount one eats because it makes you feel fuller faster and for a longer period of time. This is why people report significant weight loss while taking these medications. Most who take one of these medications for weight loss report some sort of nausea especially when eating too much because of the delay in gastric emptying. As a pharmacist, I have seen both sides to this. From a standpoint of controlling A1C and protecting those with diabetes from possible cardiovascular events due to the metabolic disorder, it has shown to be very effective. Also, it has shown great promise in those who have taken it to help lose weight in order to avoid becoming diabetic, or to avoid other health problems associated with weight.

If you are taking this medication for weight loss, its important to take notice in the changes to your eating habits if you are wanting to stop taking it and still maintain the weight loss. Semaglutide will make you want to eat less. So, take notice of your portions and continue to eat as if you were on the medication.

One confusing point of note is that Ozempic is approved by the FDA only for use in diabetes, while Wegovy is FDA approved for weight loss, even though they are the same thing. There is evidence to suggest that Semaglutide in all forms may soon be approved for both diabetes and weight loss.