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Ozempic® is a medicine from Novo Nordisk, initially developed for treating Type 2 diabetes by reducing the sugar content in the blood. A side benefit of the medication is weight loss if it is combined with a healthy diet and more exercise. Today, Ozempic® is prescribed for both diabetes and weight loss, as more people have become aware of the weight loss effects. This is perhaps due to the increased attention from the media.
Find out more about Ozempic® and find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the medication below, or read more about medical weight loss here.
The active substance in Ozempic® is called semaglutide and mimics a natural gut hormone called GLP-1. Ozempic® (and also your own natural GLP-1) works by affecting the areas of the brain that control appetite. Specifically, it works by causing the pancreas to release more insulin when you eat and causing the liver to hold onto glucagon, which together will lower blood sugar.
GLP-1 sends a message to the brain that you are full, just as it tells your stomach to empty the food into the intestines more slowly than usual. When you are on the medication, you will find that you get full faster and have less hunger and less of an urge to eat. Therefore, the medicine can support weight loss, where you are simultaneously working on changing your lifestyle.
Ozempic® can be bought at UK pharmacies throughout the country, but to buy the medication, you must have a prescription. Ozempic is primarily used as a diabetes treatment prescribed by your doctor.
Not everyone can get a prescription for Ozempic®. You must have a BMI over 30 or a BMI between 27 and 30 and at least one weight-related condition.
Like all other medicines, there is also a risk of side effects when using Ozempic®. If you experience side effects, they will most often occur at the beginning of a course. There will be a few side effects from the gastrointestinal tract, as this is precisely where the medicine works. This can be, for example, nausea, diarrhoea or constipation.
Another side effect is gallstones, which are especially seen with too rapid weight loss (more than 1 kg per week). Gallstones are not dangerous but can be painful. If you experience side effects, you should contact a doctor.
The benefits of weight loss, including a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, a beneficial effect on blood pressure and cholesterol, and a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes, will usually overshadow any temporary, unpleasant side effects.
