Ozempic is an injectable medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes. It is administered once a week to assist control of blood sugar levels. Its effectiveness in combating diabetes and obesity has made it extremely popular, leading to a corresponding rise in demand.
The majority of Americans, approx. 42%, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), are overweight or obese. In this blog, we talk about how Ozempic works for weight loss and what are the common side effects of using it. Buy Ozempic pen, a special device used to administer medicine.
What Is Ozempic and Why Is It So Much Popular?
Ozempic is a medication that consists of semaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist. It helps increase the release of insulin, decrease the release of glucagon, slow down the emptying of the stomach, and reduce appetite.
It is used to manage type 2 diabetes and help with weight loss. The reason it's so popular is because it has two main benefits.
- First, it helps control blood sugar levels by acting like a hormone called GLP-1.
- Second, it also helps reduce appetite, which makes it useful for managing diabetes and losing weight.
According to a survey conducted by Tebra in 2023, 15% of Americans have tried Ozempic for weight loss on their own, but 47% are familiar with someone who has.
Mechanism of Action of Ozempic Pens
Ozempic, administered by Ozempic pens, works in a manner that is analogous to that of a naturally occurring hormone known as GLP-1, which is produced by our bodies in the gastrointestinal tract. After a meal, GLP-1 activity helps to keep our blood sugar levels in check. Here's a quick rundown of how everything functions:
Blood Sugar Control
When you inject semaglutide using Ozempic pens, the medication travels through your veins and into your bloodstream. Once it reaches that point, it will begin functioning in a number of significant ways, including:
- Insulin Release: Consuming it stimulates the release of more insulin from your pancreas. Insulin facilitates the transport of sugar from the blood into the cells of the body, where it is used as a source of energy.
- Less Sugar Production: Additionally, it instructs your liver to produce less sugar. This is significant because our livers produce an excessive amount of sugar, which leads to elevated levels of sugar in the blood.
Appetite Control
One more intriguing benefit is that it might assist you in experiencing less hunger than you would normally. In order to accomplish this, it slows down the rate at which your stomach empties after you have eaten. This indicates that you might not feel as much of a need to consume as much, which assists you in losing weight.
How Does Ozempic Work for Weight Loss?
Semaglutide, the active component in Ozempic, is not officially documented as a weight loss medication; the FDA provided the go-ahead in 2021 under the trade title Wegovy for weight loss. Wegovy contains a more generous amount of semaglutide as compared to Ozempic—2.4 milligrams of semaglutide as opposed to 0.5, 1, or 2 milligrams. Semaglutide advances the effects of the GLP-1 hormone, which is a naturally found hormone.
GLP-1 influences weight via two main processes in complement to its influences on blood sugar & diabetes:
- Reduces hunger, appetite, and cravings by influencing the brain's hunger centers, specifically the hypothalamus.
- Increases the duration of fullness and satiety after meals by slowing the pace of stomach emptying.
The overall result is decreased hunger, prolonged fullness, and ultimately weight loss.
Note: While semaglutide may aid in weight loss while being taken, most people will regain a significant amount of the weight if they stop.
GLP-1 medications are created to be taken long-term. They are long-term medicines used to treat chronic diseases, including diabetes and obesity.
Common Side Effects of Ozempic Pen Injection
Ozempic is administered through a subcutaneous injection, which means it is injected under your skin. Some people may experience mild or serious side effects from taking Ozempic pen injection:
Mild Side Effects of Ozempic
Certain individuals may experience mild side effects when taking Ozempic pen injections. Some examples of these include:
- You might experience a difference in the way things taste.
- You may feel some mild pain or discomfort in your abdomen (belly).
- Gastrointestinal issues cause symptoms such as burping, gas, constipation, or diarrhea.
- Sometimes, people may experience dizziness or headaches.
- You may feel tired or fatigued.
- You may experience symptoms such as indigestion, which is an upset stomach, or acid reflux.
- Some individuals may suffer from modest skin reactions at the location where they had the injection, such as redness, discolouration, or soreness.
- It may, in rare instances, cause a person to experience mild nausea or vomiting.
- You may feel a quickening in your heart rate.
These unwanted effects usually don't last long and can be easily ignored. You can easily handle some issues. Your doctor or pharmacist is the one to talk to if you have any persistent symptoms or anything disturbing you. Unless your doctor tells you differently, keep taking it.
Serious Side Effects of Ozempic
Talking about the potential dangers of Ozempic pen injection with your doctor before beginning therapy is crucial. Negative consequences that could be fatal include:
- Diabetes results in a condition called diabetic retinopathy, which results in harm to the blood vessels in the eye.
- The term "gallbladder disease" can refer to a number of different illnesses, including cholecystitis and gallstones, both of which cause discomfort and swelling in the gallbladder.
- This medicine have the potential to impact kidney function in certain situations.
- Pancreatitis is a state where the pancreas becomes swollen and quite serious.
- There is a small chance that taking this medicine could potentially increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer.
- Allergic reactions to the medication are not common, but some people may experience them.
- Hypoglycemia is a state where the blood sugar levels become too low. It is a cause for concern, especially when it is taken alongside other diabetes medications.
Note: A boxed warning on Ozempic mentions a potential thyroid cancer risk. Animals that consumed this medicine developed thyroid cancer. It is unknown if this medication raises the risk of thyroid cancer in people.
While using this medicine, it's critical to be aware of these potentially dangerous side effects and to tell your doctor right away if you experience any odd symptoms or reactions. These medications are readily available at the best Canadian online pharmacy.
Closing Thoughts
Ozempic pens are crucial in managing type 2 diabetes and treating obesity. The Ozempic pen has been very popular because it helps people with diabetes regulate their blood sugar and lower their appetite. Remember that it isn't meant to be used in an emergency; talk to your doctor first. It's possible to have some discomfort, but it'll probably be nothing major. Never wait to see a doctor about something out of the ordinary.