Ozempic is an injection that’s used to manage type 2 diabetes. But it’s also gained a lot of attention as a weight loss drug, with celebrities like Elon Musk tweeting about taking it.
It’s important to note that Ozempic can interact with other medications. That’s why it’s important to tell your doctor about all of the prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take.
How it works
Ozempic works by stimulating the GLP-1 receptors in your stomach and small intestine. This makes your body produce more insulin and helps control blood sugar levels. It also reduces hunger and promotes a feeling of fullness.
It works by slowing down the movement of food through your digestive system, so you stay full for longer. This can lead to weight loss and a lower risk of diabetes-related complications.
Depending on your needs, your doctor may prescribe different doses of ozempic to control your blood sugar. The lowest dose is 0.5 milligram (mg) once a week, but you can increase it to the highest amount your doctor recommends if needed.
Your doctor should review all of your other medicines before starting treatment with ozempic. This includes other meds that treat high blood sugar or low blood sugar, such as sulfonylureas and insulin.
Side effects
If you get pregnant while on ozempic, the medication can cause problems for your unborn baby. Ozempic is not recommended for pregnancy, and it should be stopped at least 2 months before you plan to conceive.
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of ozempic, but these symptoms usually go away within a few days or weeks as your body adjusts to the medication. If you experience severe nausea or vomiting, talk to your doctor.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is another common side effect of ozempic. This can happen more often if you take this medicine with insulin or other diabetes medicines. Your doctor can adjust your insulin or other medicines to help prevent low blood sugar with ozempic.
This drug may also increase your risk of pancreatitis. If you have a history of pancreatitis, tell your doctor before taking this medicine. This drug has been shown to cause thyroid tumors or medullary thyroid cancer in animals.
Pregnancy risk
Despite their popularity, semaglutides haven’t been studied in humans for long enough to determine whether or not they’re safe during pregnancy. As a result, experts say that it’s important for patients of childbearing age who are on a semaglutide to bring up the topic of pregnancy with their doctors at every appointment.
The most common question, according to UCSF’s Thiara, is: “What happens if I get pregnant while taking Ozempic?” While she doesn’t believe that it will make the process more difficult, she does caution that semaglutides may actually increase your chance of becoming pregnant, especially if you are a heavy smoker or if you are overweight.
There is also a very real risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when you are on ozempic or another medication that affects your blood sugar levels, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. The best way to prevent this is to check your blood sugar regularly and drink plenty of fluids.
Taking it during pregnancy
If you get pregnant while on ozempic, your baby may have a higher chance of having birth defects. This is because animal studies showed that semaglutide can harm your unborn child.
To lower your risk of getting pregnant, use a condom and talk to your doctor about taking birth control pills. You should also tell your doctor if you plan to have more than one baby.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy, which help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels, aren’t typically approved for use during pregnancy.
They can be helpful for patients who have a hard time controlling their blood sugar, but they can also cause complications, including miscarriage and birth defects.
To reduce your risk of having low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), eat fruits and vegetables that don’t spike your blood sugar, such as coconut, avocado, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, grapefruit, cherries, and oranges. They also have plenty of fiber, which slows down your body’s absorption of glucose into your bloodstream.