Ozempic is a drug that works by stimulating GLP-1 receptors in the stomach and small intestine. These receptors help control blood sugar levels and reduce hunger.
It can also help patients lose weight. However, it may impact fertility. Fortunately, there are other safer diabetes medications available to treat obesity and Type 2 diabetes during pregnancy.
What is ozempic?
Ozempic is a medication that’s used to help control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise. It also helps lower the risk of serious heart problems in people with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
It is injected under your skin (subcutaneous injection), usually once a week, at any time of day, with or without food. You must use a new needle for each injection, and rotate the injection site every time you give an injection.
During clinical trials, people taking 0.5 mg of Ozempic lost about 8 lbs. If needed, your doctor may prescribe higher doses of Ozempic.
When you first start taking Ozempic, it takes several weeks for it to work well. This is because it slows the movement of food out of your stomach.
This medicine isn’t safe to take if you have a history of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). It might also worsen eye problems caused by diabetes (retinopathy). If you have these conditions, your doctor will stop taking Ozempic and talk with you about a safer medication to use.
What are the side effects of ozempic?
Ozempic is a type of medication called a GLP-1 agonist. It is used to lower blood sugar in people with diabetes and also to help reduce weight.
The most common side effect of ozempic is nausea. It is usually mild and goes away as your body adjusts to the medication.
If you get nausea while taking ozempic, you may want to drink plenty of water. If it does not go away after a few days, talk to your doctor.
In some people, ozempic can cause pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas). This is very rare and most people with this side effect get better on their own within a week or so.
Other side effects include dizziness and injection site reactions. These are also very rare. These are usually less serious and are often managed by changing the location of your injections.
What should I tell my doctor if I get pregnant while taking ozempic?
If you get pregnant while taking ozempic, tell your doctor right away. Ozempic can cause serious damage to your unborn baby, including low birth weight and growth restrictions.
Your doctor may also recommend stopping your treatment 2 months before you plan to become pregnant. This medication can cause severe side effects in a newborn baby, including heart defects and brain tumors.
It can also increase your baby’s risk of having a thyroid gland tumor, such as medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Talk to your doctor about these risks and other possible risks before you start using this medicine.
In animal studies, semaglutide increased the risk of miscarriage and babies with abnormalities in different parts of their bodies. The drug also caused a higher rate of abnormalities in the kidney, liver, cranial bones, vertebrae, and ribs.
Your doctor will give you instructions on how to use this medication and what you can eat while taking it. You should follow a diet that’s low in sugar and fat, and high in fruits, vegetables and fiber. You can also add lean protein, such as fish, chicken, eggs and beans to your diet.
What should I do if I get pregnant while taking ozempic?
Ozempic is a drug that helps people with diabetes control their blood sugar. It works by stimulating a group of receptors called GLP-1.
It is usually prescribed to patients who cannot control their diabetes with diet and exercise alone. It can also be used with insulin to help lower blood sugar levels even more.
Despite its popular status as a weight loss drug, it can also cause serious harm to the fetus when taken in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The fetus is at risk for birth defects and health problems, including low birth weight, premature delivery, fetal growth restriction and more.
Its manufacturer recommends that you stop using it two months before you plan to become pregnant, and never take it while breastfeeding. That is because it can pass into your breast milk and affect the development of a baby.