The Road to Results: How long does Ozempic take to work?
March 9. 2023
When you begin a weight loss journey, you probably can not wait to start seeing results. People are constantly in search of effective and fast solutions to lose weight. Today, some of the most popular and effective weight loss treatments are type 2 diabetes medications. Ozempic weight loss was the first to gain popularity and become one of the most efficient weight loss aiders. When you begin your Ozempic treatment, you probably start wondering how long does Ozempic take to work?
Losing weight is much more than reducing the number on the weighing scale. The health benefits of reaching a healthy weight are many; you will feel better, stronger, and more energized as well. But the part of the road everyone is most excited to reach is almost always the same: when those extra pounds start to slip away. No supplement, weight loss medication, or diet promises results overnight—at least not sustainable, long-term outcomes. Losing weight is a steady and slow run when you want to achieve long-lasting results and maintain the weight off after the treatment. And that is what our weight loss programs are developed for; promoting sustainable weight loss and management.
In this article, our weight loss clinic in Chicago experts will go deeper into the Ozempic treatment. We will answer all your questions, including how long does Ozempic take to work and why it may take longer for some patients. Continue reading to learn all there is to know about this revolutionary weight loss medication.
How does Ozempic work?
As you may already know, Ozempic is a type 2 diabetes medication used to control blood sugar levels. Novo Nordisk pharmaceutical, a Danish company, developed this drug a few years ago; it currently manufactures and distributes Ozempic worldwide. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this anti-diabetes medicine in 2017 to treat and manage blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetic patients can not regulate insulin accurately; they need medication to control their blood sugar levels and stay healthy. Semaglutide is the drug in Ozempic; this drug mimics gut hormone signals – the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor, to be precise. This naturally occurring gut hormone signals the pancreas to start increasing its insulin secretion rate. At the same time, GLP-1 lowers liver glucose production. That helps the body maintain healthy blood sugar levels and stay out of danger.
How does this diabetes medication aid weight loss?
Soon after Ozempic was released to the world, Novo Nordisk discovered one incredible side effect among the medication users: substantial weight loss. After this finding, the pharmaceutical company conducted two studies to learn more about the matter – the STEP-1 and STEP-2 clinical trials. The second one, STEP-2, assessed the safety and efficiency of semaglutide to aid weight loss in people with obesity or overweight and diabetes. Over 1,500 people participated in the clinical trial; some participants received a lower dose of Ozempic, others a larger amount, and others a placebo. The results of the participants who took the larger dosage showed how this medication promotes a significant body weight reduction.
But how does Ozempic, a medication for type 2 diabetes, make you lose weight? The GLP-1 gut hormone targets both the digestive system and the brain. The process this hormone promotes (increasing insulin and decreasing glucose) changes the speed of your gastric emptying. That is basically how fast or slow the food you consume travels through your digestive system. GLP-1 receptors slow down this process, making food start longer in your stomach. That equals you feeling satisfied for longer after having a meal.
As mentioned, the GLP-1 hormone also targets the human brain. It decreases appetite and hunger spikes, which reduces food intake. In this aspect, Ozempic works as an appetite suppressant, such as Phentermine for weight loss –Â a highly popular weight loss supplement.
With the double effect of this receptor agonist, you will feel less hungry after you eat. Simultaneously, that will make it easier for you to stick to a healthy, low-carb diet – crucial to achieving the most optimal weight loss results with Ozempic.
Who can use Ozempic for weight loss?
Even though Ozempic was developed to treat people with type 2 diabetes, clinical trials showed that this medication is safe to use to promote weight loss. Soon after Novo Nordisk pharmaceutical found this extra advantage of Ozempic, the company launched a second Semaglutide brand: Wegovy. Wegovy is an FDA-approved weight loss drug currently on the market. Ozempic and Wegovy essentially have the same active compound (semaglutide). Due to that reason and the shortage of Wegovy, most doctors and clinics prescribe Ozempic off-label to rate obesity or overweight. Regardless of the brand name, you are taking the same medication manufactured by the same pharmaceutical. The only difference is the dosages.
When used for weight loss, Ozempic has some requirements you must meet. A health care professional can indicate this medication to treat obesity if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Or if you are overweight (a BMI of 27 or higher) and have weight-related health risk factors, such as high blood pressure or heart disease. If any of those two options describe your current situation, you are eligible to start taking Ozempic for weight loss.
Do not feel discouraged if you do not meet those conditions. It only means finding a more suitable treatment, such as Lipo C injections or Phentermine for weight loss. Regardless of the program you choose, you must always take weight loss supplements and medications under the guidance of a doctor.
How effective is this medication?
In the past years, Ozempic has become one of the most popular weight medications. The demand for this drug was so high that the product went into shortage all across America and other countries. The reason for that is the effectiveness of this blood sugar control medicine. Ozempic is here to change the game; everybody wants to use this opportunity to reach their dream weights.
So how effective is Ozempic for weight loss? Ozempic is highly effective. The levels of effectiveness, however, can vary from one person to another. Still, the levels of efficacy always remain high. What affects Ozempic effectiveness the most is the dosage you are taking. You take this drug via weekly subcutaneous injections that are easy to apply and relatively painless. You can even apply to dosage yourself in the comfort of your home. You will not have to visit a doctor for every application.
The Ozempic treatment always starts with a low dose of 0.25mg each week. If at this point you wonder: why am I not losing weight on Ozempic? that is because this initial dosage is to adapt the body to the medication. Every four weeks, if your body adapts well to the drug, your doctor will slowly increase the dosage. The following month you will probably take 0.5mg a week, the next one 1mg, and so on. Currently, the highest possible dose of Ozempic is 2mg per week. The higher the dosage, the most effective the weight loss treatment.
How long does Ozempic take to work?
Probably the most asked question before and during the treatment is how long does Ozempic take to work? The answer to how long shifts when using the drug to lose weight and not only to target glucose levels. When you begin taking Ozempic, your blood sugar levels should start decreasing around the first week. The weight loss effects take a little longer to appear.
Ozempic weight loss timeframe varies from one patient to another. As a general rule, most people start experiencing significant results around week 8 of the treatment. However, other patients have affirmed that they started losing weight only two weeks into the program. How can this be possible? Your weight loss journey with Ozempic will depend on many different factors besides the effectiveness of the drug. Some of those factors are your starting weight, gender, age, biological background, diet, and level of physical activity in your daily life.
As mentioned above, the Ozempic program starts with a very low dosage. The first eight weeks of the treatment, when the doctor slowly increases the dose, are meant for your body to adapt to the medication. In the health industry, professionals call this process the titration period. During the titration period, a healthcare provider changes the medication dosage until achieving the best clinical results. Once you reach the optimal dosage for your body, you will immediately start seeing results.
We cross our fingers for you to start losing weight during the first weeks. But if you don’t, that is not a reason to feel discouraged. You are only in the adaptation period. You will get the desired weight loss results once you get through it.
Can I speed up Ozempic effectiveness?
During Novo Nordisk clinical trials, participants on Ozempic lost up to 10% of their body weight. They achieved that by combining the drug with an appropriate diet and regular exercise. Besides exercising and dieting, two more factors can help you achieve rapid weight loss. The four essential elements of a medical weight loss journey (besides medication) are food, exercise, sleep, and mental health.
Food and dieting
Everybody who has ever tried to lose weight knows you need to be in a calorie deficit to reach your goal. That means consuming fewer calories than your body burns throughout the day. When you start the Ozempic treatment, you must pair it with a low-calorie diet. There are many successful and well-known diets you can follow. However, a personalized meal plan is always best; it ensures you can easily stick to the diet plan. A dietitian or nutritionist can advise you about the perfect diet for your unique needs and preferences. You can also ask a professional about Ozempic and Mounjaro foods to avoid to prevent weight gain and unpleasant side effects.
Staying active
Regular exercise is also vital during the Ozempic medical program. Physical activity will help you reach a calorie deficit without struggle. Professionals recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week or 75 of intense workouts. Exercise will be the key to losing weight fast and keeping it off after the treatment. Besides losing weight quickly, physical activity will improve your overall health. You can sign up for a gym or set up one at home – a few pieces of basic equipment will do the trick. Other options are starting a sport or going out for a run.
Beauty sleep is real
Since kids, adults have told us the importance of a good night’s sleep. Besides staying energized, reducing stress, boosting immune systems, and improving your mood, sleep aid weight loss. Are you trying to lose fat and build muscle through exercise? Sleep is crucial for muscle tissue recovery and muscle gain. Also, studies show that people with sleep deprivation suffer from an increased appetite.
Mental health also matters
Taking care of your physical and mental health during a weight loss journey is crucial. Stress and anxiety can lead to rapid weight gain, compromising Ozempic effectiveness. Try doing relaxing activities that uplift your mood and make you feel better. Avoid alcoholic drinks; they include too many calories. But besides that, Ozempic or Mounjaro and alcohol are not good combinations for your health. Alcohol is a depressant, and it can affect your feelings and actions.
Final thoughts
How long does Ozempic take to work? That answer can differ from one person to another. But even if it takes the medication two weeks or 8 to kick in, results will definitely come. The more you commit to habit changes and leading a healthy lifestyle, the more efficient your treatment will be.
Do you still have questions regarding Ozempic, and how long does this medication take to work? Schedule a call with us to learn more about this incredible weight-loss booster.
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