Why you should (not) use Ozempic for weight loss
Introduction
To answer the question: ”Should you take/use Ozempic for weight loss?” We need to dive into the facts about this medicine by quoting medical research articles. But before we start, i can tell you that natural way of losing weight is the most ideal and healthiest way of losing the extra kilograms or pounds of fat. There are many other medicines from different brands which can help reducing weight. Below we’ll discuss the differences.
Different brands, different compounds
Semaglutide
The brands Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy are actually the same with the main ingredient ”Semaglutide”. While Ozempic and Wegovy are injected subcutanously, Rybelsus is given in a tablet form. Both Ozempic and Wegovy are developed by the same pharmaceutical company ”Novo Nordisk”. Ozempic is approved in Europe in 2018 and 2017 in the USA to lower the bloodsugar levels in diabetic type 2 patients in addition to diet and physical exercise. Wegovy is not everywhere available yet. This medicine is labeled for weight loss, whilst Ozempic is labeled for diabetic 2 patients and being used as an off-label medicine for weight loss. Both Ozempic and Wegovy are injected once weekly.
Liraglutide
Semaglutide vs Liraglutide
Hypes for Ozempic
Recent times TikTok-influencers are behind the hype and recommendation of Ozempic for weight loss. For example, a rumour that Kim Kardashian used Ozempic after which she had have lost 7 kg in 3 weeks or Elon Musk Twittering to give credits to the similar medicine (and fasting), Wegovy. There are more influencers to name, which are giving credits to Ozempic or similar drugs.
Ethical problem
As this medicine might be the best and substantial choice for a diabetic patient, he/she needs this medication more then someone wanting to lose weight without even showing an effort. Diabetes type 2 is a more serious problem then wanting to lose extra pounds or kilos. Ozempic is being hyped. For this reason, the medication is sold out or hard to get for diabetic patients.
Effect of Ozempic for weight loss
Physiology part
Both Semaglutide and Liraglutide drugs are glucagon-like-peptide-1-receptoragonists (GLP-1 receptoragonist). GLP-1 drugs are also called ”incretinemimetica”. These are naturally found in the body. GLP-1 is being produced by the L- type cells in the small intestine. It stimulates the secretion of Insuline from the pancreas and decreases the release of glucagon. By using this drug, the same happens. When insuline spikes, the bloodsugar gets under controle. Moreover, it reduces hemoglobin A1C, a measure over blood glucose over time.
Weight loss effect
- GLP-1 affects the hunger centers in the brain. To be more specific, in the hypothalamus. Thus, it reduces hunger, cravings and appetite.
- The rate of stomach emptying is slowed down. This creates a longer satiety and fullness after meals.
Semaglutide vs Liraglutide for weight loss
What happens when you discontinue Ozempic for weight loss?
One study (randomized clinical trial) compared the effect of Ozempic continuing and withdrawing on weight loss (maintenance). All patients received Ozempic for 20 weeks. Then one part withrawed and one part continued using Ozempic. Ozempic users lost 7.9% of their body weight between the 20th and 68th week of the treatment. The Ozempic discontinuers gained on average 6.9% weight. If you stop using the medicine, be assured the hunger comes back. The risk on putting much more weight back on the love handles or stomach will be increased. You might eat much more then when you did before start using the drug. When you decide using these drugs, it is a must to change your lifestyle and not only the size of your meals!
Health risks of Ozempic
Warnings
Health and quality of life
Health is key to an improved quality of life. A normal BMI (body mass index) is superior for health, compared to high BMI. We all know obesity or overweight has many disadvantages for the heart, vascular system and increased possibility of developing cancer, right? We all want better physiques and an optimal health. Why not if this can be achieved easily with the aid of drugs, right?
Informed decision
Before you start any supplementation for losing weight, know the facts first, please! Make always an informed decision before you start shouting to want something. Especially when you hear a TikTokker or a Youtuber making a hype of something. The question is simple: is Ozempic safe for me?
You are not others
The risks i will show you below may or may not develop on you. If you know someone who used the drug and got a side effect, does not mean you will get it too. As your personality is way more different compared to your brothers/sisters/aunts and uncles, so is your body reacting to the drug.
Side effects
- Hypoglycemia. In other words, too low blood sugar. This may occur when using Ozempic, but the probability is quite low. But, if combined with an insulin or another drug by a diabetic patient, the probability increases dramatically. Please consult your doctor first and keep track of your blood sugar.
- Gastrointestinal adverse effect. A general denomination for nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Every 1 out of 10 or 1 out of 5 patients are experiencing this kind of a side effect. The probability was higher for oral drug Rybelsus and less for the subcutaneous injectable Ozempic. The higher the dosage, the higher the chance on getting this side effect. Though, these side effects are the main reason for discontinuing the medicine.
- Acute pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. Till this day the use of semaglutide or liraglutide has been linked to increase the probability on developing acute pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. Research have not shown any strong evidence yet.
- Thyroid cancer. Studies showing increased chance on developing thyroid cancer were animal based studies (on rodents). Newer studies did not show any correlation. Eventhough, people with personal or family history of medullar thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasma are contra-indicated for using these drugs.
- Galbladder. Events like cholelithiasis (gallstones) or cholecystitis (galbladder inflammation) were slightly more increased in people using semaglutide (0.6% to 0.1% compared with placebo group)
- Diabetic Retinopathy. If you have pre-existing diabetic retinopathy or longer diabetes or using insulin, then diabetic retinopathy can develop or worsen. In other cases, the probability of developing diabetic retinopathy is quite low.
Who can take Ozempic for weight loss?
Both diabetic and non-diabetic patients can lose weight with Ozempic. If you have a BMI >30 or >27 with obesity related comorbidity, you can use Ozempic. Care should be taken when you have contra-indications like:
- Impaired kidney or liver function
- Known family members with medullary thyroid cancer
- Eating disorders or hormonal related weight gains
- Using insulin or sulfonylurea derivatives
- History of pancreatitis, galbladder events, bowel diseases
- Hypersensitivity to semaglutide or one of its components
Should i use Ozempic?
You want a short answer? No. Why should you take the risk of a drug, when you can lose the same weight more naturally and healthy in the first place? Choose for a healthy sustainable lifestyle. Start with changing your habbits. Use smaller plates for your food and eat more frequently of healthy food so you do not overeat. Eat smaller portions. Over a time period of 30-50 years the size of plates in America increased with 25%. One study suggested that this increase in size brought extra calories of 50 kcal per plate. When 50kcal is eaten every single day, this results in 18 250 kcal per year. This is an extra fat and weight of 2,37 kg per year!
Did you already try a lot with the help of a dietitian and did not see any results? That is the time you might think getting an extra help of any intervention or drug.
Conclusion
Semaglutide (e.g. Ozempic, Wegovy) is promising more weight loss compared to liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza). Ozempic or Wegovy can reduce 15% of your body weight over a period of 68 weeks. But if you discontinue the treatment, you might gain all the weights back with a plus.
Before you start a treatment like this, make an informed decision first. Read about the health benefits and risks of such an intervention. Be carefull if you have any contra-indications.
I would recommend to lose weight with a healthy lifestyle without an additional medicine or any other thing. Nothing helps? Then you might choose for this medicine as an additional supplementation for your healthy lifestyle and exercise.
Disclaimer
Any of the information above is for information only. Discuss with your doctor first, before deciding to take any treatment. For any questions related to this drug, you can have a consult with doctor Yilmaz.
References
- Rubino D, Abrahamsson N, Davies M, et al. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2021;325(14):1414-1425. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.3224
- Rubino DM, Greenway FL, Khalid U, et al. Effect of Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Daily Liraglutide on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity Without Diabetes: The STEP 8 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2022;327(2):138-150. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.23619
- Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989-1002. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
- Lazzaroni E, Ben Nasr M, Loretelli C, et al. Anti-diabetic drugs and weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes. Pharmacol Res. 2021;171:105782. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105782
- Chao AM, Tronieri JS, Amaro A, Wadden TA. Semaglutide for the treatment of obesity [published online ahead of print, 2021 Dec 21]. Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2021;S1050-1738(21)00158-4. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2021.12.008
- Smits MM, Van Raalte DH. Safety of Semaglutide. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Jul 7;12:645563. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.645563. Erratum in: Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Nov 10;12:786732. PMID: 34305810; PMCID: PMC8294388.
