Ozempic, or semaglutide, is a type 2 diabetes drug that also aids weight loss. It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 agonists).
Like other GLP-1 agonists, Ozempic helps lower blood sugar levels. It also slows the rate of food leaving your stomach and reduces your appetite.
Over-eating
If you are taking Ozempic to help with your weight loss, over-eating can be an issue. This is especially true if you have an eating disorder and are trying to recover from it.
Eating too much can actually counteract the effects of Ozempic, making it harder for you to lose weight and maintain your new lifestyle. This is because the medication delays your body’s digestion and can make you feel fuller for longer.
To avoid over-eating, try to eat plenty of lean proteins, such as chicken, turkey, fish, and beef. This will keep your hunger at bay, and can also help you stick to your meal plan.
It’s also important to be mindful of added sugar in your diet. Many foods–like soda, candy, and pre-packaged desserts–have a high sugar content and can spike blood sugar levels. Watch your portion sizes and aim to limit your total daily intake of added sugar to no more than 30 grams per day on an Ozempic diet.
Insulin
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, mimics a hormone in your gut called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 has been shown to reduce hunger, slow stomach emptying, and cause feelings of fullness.
The drug stimulates your pancreas to produce more insulin, which can help control blood sugar levels. This helps people with diabetes feel better and improve their overall health.
In addition, the medication can help people who are overweight or obese lose weight.
Insulin is a hormone that is secreted from your pancreas when your blood glucose level rises after you eat. It is needed to regulate your blood sugar, so it’s important that your doctor monitors your diabetes and adjusts your medications accordingly.
Your doctor will also need to keep track of your blood glucose levels while you take Ozempic. If your glucose levels are too low, you may experience symptoms like dizziness or drowsiness, blurred vision, sweating, and weakness. You should call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Other medications
Ozempic is part of a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. It “mimics” the body’s own GLP-1 hormone to stimulate insulin release and help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
If you’re taking other medications, be sure to tell your healthcare provider about them before you start Ozempic. This will help ensure that you get the most benefit from your treatment plan and avoid any potential interactions with other drugs or supplements.
Another thing to watch out for is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Talk to your doctor about how to manage this side effect.
In rare cases, Ozempic can cause pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas). This is a serious condition that may require medical attention. But doctors say that these cases are fairly rare. They also warn that patients who are on Ozempic for too long can become malnourished if they don’t follow proper diet guidance and monitoring.
Exercise
Ozempic is a weight loss drug that works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone that’s produced in your stomach after you eat. This slows down the rate at which your stomach empties, so you feel full for longer and eat fewer calories.
It also helps reduce blood sugar levels, which can help control diabetes. The medicine can be used alone or in combination with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to lose weight.
If you’re taking Ozempic, talk to your doctor about your weight loss goals and the best way to meet them. He or she can recommend a dose of the medication that’s appropriate for you and discuss whether it’s time to change your dosage.
The starting dose of Ozempic is usually 0.25 mg, given through an injectable pen once a week. This can be increased to 0.5 or 1 mg, depending on your response and how you tolerate the medication. You should increase your dosage gradually under the supervision of your healthcare provider.