Ozempic is used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is also used to help people who are obese lose weight.
It contains a compound called semaglutide. Like other medications in this class, semaglutide can have negative effects on fertility.
How it works
Ozempic, a medication for type 2 diabetes, lowers blood sugar by mimicking the action of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which stimulates insulin secretion. It is taken as a weekly injection using a special pen that can be self-administered.
Ozempic is typically prescribed to help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels by taking this drug along with diet and exercise. It has also been used as a treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome, an endocrine disease that causes weight gain and insulin resistance.
Women with PCOS who are overweight may be more likely to conceive on Ozempic than other obese females because it can enhance insulin sensitivity and improve fertility. But it should be discontinued at least two months before a planned pregnancy and the mother must monitor the development of her unborn child with ultrasounds, says Shah.
It is also not safe for people with a history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. Other side effects include hoarseness, trouble swallowing, and shortness of breath.
Dosage
Ozempic is a medication that’s used to treat type 2 diabetes. It’s a weekly injection under the skin that contains the drug semaglutide (also called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist).
Ozempic may help lower your blood sugar levels and increase how well you respond to other diabetes medicines. The drug also helps keep your blood sugar from getting too low (hypoglycemia).
You’ll need to use the medication for at least 6 weeks to get full results. You can start with a low dose and gradually increase it over time to achieve the best effect.
Your doctor will tell you what your exact dosage is. The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you’re taking.
Your doctor may change the dose if you have kidney problems or if you have other health conditions. Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications you take, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medicines.
Side effects
Ozempic is a drug that is used to help people with diabetes control their blood sugar. It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 agonists).
GLP-1 agonists work by increasing the amount of insulin your body makes when blood sugar is high. This increased insulin carries more glucose into your cells, lowering your blood sugar.
In people with diabetes, blood sugar levels are often too high. This can cause serious health problems, including heart attack or stroke.
However, taking Ozempic may lower your blood sugar, preventing these problems. It is important to keep your blood sugar level under control with this medication and other medications.
Some people may experience side effects while using Ozempic, including injection site reactions and dizziness. These side effects usually go away with time or a dose adjustment.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is the period between conception (fertilization of an egg) and birth, when a baby develops inside the woman’s womb or uterus. Typically, pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, counting from the first day of your last menstrual period.
During this time, you will experience many different symptoms that will gradually become more noticeable as you move along in your pregnancy journey. Some of the most common are morning sickness, fatigue, and weight gain.
There are a number of complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage and low blood sugar, which can lead to preterm delivery. However, pregnancy is usually a normal and fairly easy process for most women.
While Ozempic can help control your blood sugars, it’s not known to increase fertility in any way. And it can be harmful to the fetus, so you should stop taking it at least two months before trying to conceive or breastfeed.