Ozempic is one of the most talked-about medications in recent history. Celebrities are promoting its successful use. Some doctors celebrate its existence backed by research. Advertisements, even on public transport, encourage its adoption.
The popularity of Ozempic is so great that it has led to shortages, as people struggle to get their hands on a medication that has proven incredibly effective in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. It is undoubtedly a significant medical breakthrough that can make a huge difference for those with these conditions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States estimates that 42% of Americans live with obesity (defined as a body mass index, BMI, of 30 or more). For these individuals, Ozempic and similar anti-obesity medications are being hailed as a major triumph.
But for people with a BMI below 30, balanced eating and physical exercise are still the best path to maintaining a healthy body weight. For those with obesity, lifestyle changes are unlikely to solve the problem. Medications like Ozempic can reverse dysfunctions that cause obesity and lead to a range of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, kidney disease, sleep apnea, among others.
So, how does Ozempic work and who should take it (and who shouldn’t)? Obesity medicine specialist Dr. W. Scott Butsch helps explain why Ozempic has become so popular for weight loss.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic (also known by its generic name semaglutide) was approved for use as a diabetes medication in 2017. The manufacturers of Ozempic refer to weight loss as a “side effect,” but it has been shown in several studies to also be an effective option for treating obesity.
Doctors can prescribe Ozempic “off-label” for people living with obesity. Using a medication “off-label” means it is prescribed for a use different from the stated purpose. This is very common in the medical field. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that after approving a medication, it can be used in other situations when clinically appropriate. In other words, there is nothing dangerous or “wrong” about medications like Ozempic being used off-label to treat obesity. That is, if you have obesity and your doctor determines it is the best course of action for you, that’s perfectly fine!
How does Ozempic work for people with obesity?
Ozempic is a drug that you inject once a week into your thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. The medication mimics a hormone released by the digestive tract called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps lower blood sugar and promotes a feeling of fullness.
When you take Ozempic or other medications that mimic GLP-1, your body produces more GLP-1. This decreases appetite, and therefore, you eat less. But Ozempic is not simply a tool that suppresses appetite, according to Dr. Butsch. Ozempic, like other anti-obesity medications, also changes how your body responds to weight loss.
“Obesity is not a behavioral problem. It is not controlled just by eating less or exercising more,” says Dr. Butsch. “Obesity is a complex metabolic disease. It is a dysfunction of the normal pathways that regulate our body weight or, more specifically, our body fat. Taking anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1s, like Ozempic, can alter your body’s response to food intake and weight loss,” he adds.
How effective is Ozempic?
Research has proven that higher doses of Ozempic – 2.4 milligrams – are very effective for reducing weight in people with obesity. In one study, people with obesity who used the medication in combination with lifestyle interventions lost about 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. They lost about 34 pounds on average.
Who should not use Ozempic?
Ozempic should only be used when prescribed by medical professionals.
Dr. Butsch warns against obtaining prescriptions online.
“Proper counseling about anti-obesity medications and their use is very important,” he emphasizes. “Understanding how the medication works and how it treats obesity can make a difference in its effectiveness for you.”
“Additionally, anti-obesity medications are, for most people, medications that you take for long periods of time; therefore, if you cannot afford the medication, it will not be effective in the long run,” he warns.
Like any other anti-obesity medication, Ozempic should not be used for short-term weight loss.
“These medications are used in combination with a lifestyle change to increase their long-term effectiveness. One of the most common misconceptions is that people believe they can take a medication for a few months, then stop and maintain their weight. However, it is likely that you will regain the lost weight as soon as the medication is stopped,” he concludes.
Source: Health Essential