Ozempic For Weight Loss Trend

Ozempic For Weight Loss Trend

Ozempic for weight loss is a thing now as it continuously gains a attention and praises due to its alleged ability to assist patients in losing weight. However, despite the buzz on social media surrounding the weight loss injection ability, A good number of  individuals still appear to be uninformed about the product, as confirmed by the considerable increase in search queries such as ‘what is Ozempic?’ ‘where to buy Ozempic‘ ‘buy ozempic online ‘Ozempic price’ ‘what are the side effects of Ozempic’ and ‘is Ozempic really for weight loss?’.

Like every other trends on social media, especially in the aesthetics niche, many people are quick to jump on the bandwagon without doing the proper research required with injectable treatments – and Ozempic is no exception. For many individuals requesting to buy Ozempic online without the necessary knowledge, it is critical to explore the medication in greater detail and explain why patients should evaluate its suitability, beyond the social media hype surrounding it.

As aesthetic practitioners, we are constantly educating people about Ozempic for weight loss.

What Is Ozempic?

Considering the increase in search volumes for the query ‘what is Ozempic’, it’s not a farfetched suggestion to assume that both patients and practitioners are interested to learn more about the injectable – especially since its unforeseen rise to popularity on social media, recently being dubbed ‘Hollywood’s favourite new diet drug’. Ozempic is intended to reduce the amount of sugar released by the liver and slows down the process of food leaving the stomach to help prevent blood sugar spikes.

This dual injectable also stimulates insulin release from the pancreas, when necessary.

Appearing to be a fast-track weight loss for patients, Ozempic is a brand name for the Semaglutide drug developed by Novo Nordisk. Originally FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, it is a weekly injection that has also been shown to double as a weight loss method due to its Semaglutide active ingredient contents, with clinical trials to support.

Ozempic is presented as a liquid solution which is injected from pre-filled, disposable pens under the skin and is self-injected.

Moreover, it is important to note that Ozempic is not currently licensed for weight loss. When prescribing a dose to a patient, practitioners must prescribe the injectable ‘off-label’. Off-label prescribing is simply when a medicine or injectable is prescribed for a different use than stated in its license. This practice is legal and common but should be prescribed under strict consideration.

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide binds to, and activates, the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor to increase insulin secretion, suppress glucagon secretion and slow gastric emptying.

As explained by the National Library of Medicine, ‘Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists (also known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, incretin mimetics, or GLP-1 analogues) represent a class of medications used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults.

One ml of solution contains 1.34 mg of Semaglutide*. One pre-filled pen contains 2 mg Semaglutide* in 1.5 ml solution. Each dose contains 0.5 mg of Semaglutide in 0.37 ml solution

How Does Ozempic Treat Diabetes, And Aid in Weight Loss?

Officially developed for patients with type 2 diabetes, clinical trials have since shown Ozempic’s efficacy for safe and effective weight loss for those struggling with obesity. As well as diabetes, obesity is a global health challenge with few pharmacologic options. When trialling the efficacy of Ozempic, researchers found that weight loss was a secondary end point with the primary end point being a mean change in A1C in patients with type 2 diabetes.

For diabetes, Ozempic helps patients by lowering fasting and postprandial blood glucose by stimulating insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner.

In terms of weight loss, Ozempic can aid in weight loss as the injectable has great effects on reducing a patient’s appetite which reduces how much food a patient may consume, leading to weight loss. Also, Ozempic has been recorded to slow down the movement of food in the gut which makes patients feel full for a longer period (also known as gastric emptying).

Side Effects of Ozempic

Like several other injectables, Ozempic is no different when it comes to side effects. Like the majority of medicines, Ozempic has some minor side effects that patients should be aware of.

Whilst the most common side effects includes

Nausea,

Stomach/abdominal pain,

Constipation,

Diarrhoea and vomiting,

There are some more serious side effects that should be discussed, including:

• Inflammation of the pancreas (formally known as pancreatitis)
• Vision impairment and changes in vision
• Low blood sugar (formally known as hypoglycaemia)
• Kidney failure or long-term issues
• Serious allergic reactions
• Gallbladder issues

Alongside these more serious side effects, there are some accompanying adverse effects such as dizziness, light-headedness, anxiety, and irritability.

It’s important to ensure that patients are fully aware of the potential side effects of the injectable before undergoing a course of treatment.

Ozempic Doses:

You can Buy Ozempic for weight loss online, available in three strengths and is prescribed depending on the type and the severity of the condition the patient is using Ozempic to treat. When prescribing off-label Ozempic for weight loss, the doses may slightly differ.

Ozempic doses are available in injector pens 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg and 2mg.

For type 2 diabetes, Ozempic is intended to be taken once a week as prescribed, alongside diet and exercise.

As explained on the Ozempic site, the dosing schedule is as follows (when treating type 2 diabetes):

1. Ozempic for weight loss Starter dose is 0.25 mg once a week for the first 4 weeks. This gives the body a chance to get used to the medicine.
2. At Week 5, the dose will be increased to 0.5 mg once a week
3. If additional blood sugar control is required, 1mg may be prescribed once weekly for at least 4 weeks.*

 * Your A1C needs may shift as your type 2 diabetes changes. That’s why Ozempic® offers pens that deliver doses of 1 mg or doses of 2 mg to give you additional A1C control. And while your dose may change, nothing will change about how you take Ozempic® the 1 mg and 2 mg dose pens are similar to the pen you already use.*

When it comes to prescribing (off-label) Ozempic for weight loss purposes, the dosage is slightly altered.

As explained by Juniper, a weight management service, the Ozempic starting dose for weight loss starts with the 0.25mg dose once per week. With this measurement, patients should stay at the lowest dose for at least the first 4 weeks of treatment whilst the body familiarises itself with the drug.

For maintenance, after starting on the lowest dose, patients will be prescribed a higher dose of 0.5mg for a further 4 weeks. Afterwards, patients will move onto the 1mg weekly maintenance dose for the rest of their treatment plan — provided everything is going according to plan.

How Is Ozempic For Weight Loss Administered?

Ozempic is self-administered by the patient subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

How Long Does Ozempic For Weight Loss Take to Work?

The effects of Ozempic for weight loss differ for every patient; many factors such as lifestyle etc should be considered when evaluating efficacy.

At baseline, some patients have found Ozempic weight loss effects to come into effect within seven weeks, however, some patients have recorded weight loss within 1-2 weeks