Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist drug that helps reduce blood sugar and weight and may also lower the risk of heart disease.
This medication is typically used long-term to help manage diabetes and decrease the risk of complications. It’s injected under the skin (subcutaneously) once per week. Contact House of Aesthetix now!
Ozempic is an injection that helps manage diabetes and weight. It works by decreasing appetite, slowing how fast food moves through the digestive system, and helping your body use sugar as energy. It also decreases blood sugar levels and HbA1c (a measure of your average blood sugar over a three-month period).
In clinical trials, people who took 0.5 mg of ozempic per week lost an average of 8 lbs in 30 weeks. If that dose isn’t enough to control your diabetes, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose. During the same trials, people who took 1 mg of ozempic per week were able to lose an average of 13 lbs in 40 weeks.
Side effects are possible with ozempic, but most are mild or moderate and last for a short time. The most common are digestive problems such as diarrhoea and vomiting. There have also been reports of a worsening of diabetic retinopathy, a condition that affects the retina (the light-sensitive membrane at the back of the eye).
Some of these side effects can be serious and should be treated by your doctor right away. This includes signs of hypoglycemia, such as shaking, rapid heartbeat, confusion or feeling hungry all the time. You should also call your doctor immediately if you have severe allergies such as swelling of the throat, tongue or lips, trouble breathing or a rash.
You should not take ozempic if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is unknown whether the drug passes through breast milk and could harm a nursing baby.
How does Olympic work?
Like many drugs, Ozempic can cause side effects. However, most of these are mild and go away within a few days or weeks. Serious side effects are rare, and if you experience one, let your doctor know right away.
The drug works by mimicking a hormone that signals to the brain that the body is full. This helps people feel satisfied and makes them eat less. It is usually prescribed along with a healthy diet and exercise program to promote weight loss and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Some patients who take the medication have had to stop due to vomiting, fatigue, and headaches. Others say the side effects have been difficult to get used to and caused them to lose a significant amount of weight. Regardless, most of those interviewed said they were happy with the results and would continue taking the medication long-term.
Ozempic should be taken at the same time each day, preferably in the morning with a meal. It can be injected in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Novo Nordisk recommends injecting on the same day each week, but it can be done any time of the day.
The medication should not be taken by pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers. It may also increase the risk of thyroid cancer in patients with a family history of the disease. The drug has been linked to a rare form of pancreatitis, and doctors should watch for symptoms such as severe abdominal pain that is not relieved with over-the-counter medications.
There have been reports of thyroid cancer in people who took another drug in the same class as Ozempic, liraglutide (Victoza). If you have a history of thyroid cancer or a type of endocrine tumor known as multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, you should not use Ozempic.
What should I discuss with my doctor before taking ozempic?
A doctor should always evaluate a patient’s health history before prescribing Ozempic. It’s important to discuss any medical conditions and other factors that can increase the risk of side effects, such as kidney disease, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), and other cancers or blood diseases.
People who are planning to become pregnant should avoid Ozempic, as animal studies show a possible risk of pregnancy loss and birth defects. It’s also not recommended for people with a personal or family history of certain thyroid cancers, including multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
For many patients, it can take a while to start seeing and feeling the benefits of Ozempic. Alexandra says it took a few months to get her energy back and feel less heartburn at night. She also had to change her diet to eliminate foods that cause acid reflux. However, she says it’s worth it and is glad her health insurance covers her copay for the shots.
When taking Ozempic, it’s important to not mix it with any other medications that can lower blood sugar. This includes other insulins or sulfonylureas, as the combination can result in low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia. Some symptoms of low blood sugar include shakiness, blurred vision, confusion or drowsiness, sweating, weakness, and fast heartbeat.
If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away or go to the emergency room. These signs and symptoms can be life-threatening, so it’s important to get them checked out right away.
It’s also important to tell your doctor about any supplements or herbs you are taking. Some can interact with Ozempic and affect how well it works, especially alpha-lipoic acid, which has been shown to increase the risk of low blood sugar in some patients taking Ozempic.
What should I avoid while taking ozempic?
There are no foods that are completely off-limits while taking Ozempic, but it is important to eat a well-balanced diet and avoid certain foods that can exacerbate side effects. For example, fried or greasy foods can aggravate nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains associated with the medication. In addition, highly saturated fats and trans fats are likely to increase gastrointestinal issues and should be avoided, Levy says. Likewise, foods that are high in sugar should be avoided, as they can lead to a spike in blood glucose levels. This includes sugary beverages like soda, candy and many pre-packaged desserts. Sugary foods can also exacerbate symptoms of acid reflux in people with baseline acid reflux because GLP-1 medications delay gastric emptying, she adds.
Levy advises patients to read nutrition labels to be aware of hidden sugars, which may be present in foods that don’t taste sweet. She also cautions against eating foods with a lot of roughage, which can be hard to digest and contribute to GI problems. Additionally, alcohol should be limited as it is typically empty calories and may interfere with the effectiveness of the medication, she says.
Ozempic is commonly prescribed for those who have diabetes after lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet and regular physical activity, have not provided sufficient control of blood glucose. The medication can help reduce blood glucose levels and assist with weight loss, as it suppresses appetite and slows the stomach’s ability to produce digestive acids. However, it is not recommended for pregnant women or people with gallbladder problems, as it has been reported to worsen cholecystitis and gallstones in some individuals. People with kidney disease should discuss their use of the drug with their doctor.
How should I store Olympic?
Proper storage of Ozempic is important to ensure that the medication continues to work effectively. Keeping the pen and needles at the right temperature will help maintain the potency of the active ingredient so that the medication can continue to support your weight loss journey. Additionally, storing the pens properly will help prevent them from becoming damaged or contaminated by extreme temperatures or light.
When not in use, keep the unused Ozempic pens in the refrigerator. The pens should not be stored directly next to the refrigerator cooling element, as this may damage them. Unused pens can be kept in the fridge until they expire, but once they have expired, they should be disposed of.
If you are traveling with unused Olympic pens, be sure to store them in an insulated bag that will protect them from extreme temperatures. It is also a good idea to carry a letter from your doctor explaining the medication and your needs, as this can help to speed up the security screening process at the airport.
After the first use, the unused Ozempic pens can be stored at room temperature (below 86 degrees Fahrenheit) for up to 56 days. However, they should be returned to the refrigerator at the first sign of heat or light damage. It is also important to never freeze ozempic or any other medication, as this can damage them and affect their efficacy. Moreover, if you notice that the solution in your Olympic pens is cloudy or discolored, it is a sign that they have been exposed to light or heat and should be thrown away immediately. For best results, always keep the ozempic pens out of reach of children.