Ozempic has gotten a lot of media coverage in the last year, predominantly due to its apparent ability to help you lose weight fast. However, is this wonder drug as good as they say, or is it just another hyped-up product that will ultimately disappoint?
Let’s take a closer look.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is an FDA-approved medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is designed to improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes,and it can also help to lower the risk of heart disease in people who are at risk of cardiovascular episodes such as a heart attack or stroke.
Is Ozempic Effective for Weight Loss?
Although Ozempic is not labeled as a weight loss drug, this has not stopped people from using it to lose weight. The active compound in Ozempic, known as semaglutide, is what makes this medication so effective at helping people lose weight. More specifically, it:
- Affects the hunger centers in the brain, helping to reduce hunger, suppress appetite, and control cravings.
- Slows down the rate of stomach emptying, prolonging fullness after eating.
On its own, Ozempic may not be enough to aid weight loss, but when combined with a healthy eating regime and regular exercise, it can help to promote weight loss and decrease the risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Is Ozempic Safe?
As an FDA-approved medication, Ozempic is safe. However, this is only the case when it is used to manage type 2 diabetes. As mentioned above, Ozempic has not been approved as a weight loss drug which means that it has not been declared as safe for use to lose weight.
Certain groups of people should avoid taking Ozempic. These include those with:
- Pancreatitis
- Type 1 diabetes
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Problems with the pancreas or kidneys
- A family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome
You should also not take Ozempic if you are under the age of 18, pregnant, or breastfeeding.
If you are interested in weight loss aids, then talk to a professional clinic about weight loss injections and how they might help you so that you can approach this journey safely.
How Much Does Ozempic Cost?
A 0.5-milligram dose of Ozempic currently retails at around $935 without insurance. If you have private health insurance, you may be able to pay as little as $25, although this will depend on whether or not you qualify for a prescription for this drug.
If you do not have type 2 diabetes, you are unlikely to be covered by your insurance firm to purchase Ozempic for weight loss. This means you will have to pay the full retail price if you want to use this medication. Do not be tempted to buy Ozempic online, such as from a social media seller, as these drugs are unregulated and unsafe.
Final thoughts on Ozempic
Ozempic is a highly effective drug for managing type 2 diabetes and also for managing weight loss in people with this condition. However, if you intend to take it for cosmetic weight loss, the long-term effects of this medication are still relatively unknown. Furthermore, studies suggest that if you take Ozempic to lose weight when you stop taking it, you are highly likely to regain some, if not all, of the weight you had previously lost.
Always speak to your doctor before taking any new medications.
