The Bare Naked Truth: Ozempic and Weight Loss

November 22. 2022

Ozempic and weight loss didn’t appear to belong in the same sentence until only a few months ago. Today, more than ever, people are talking non-stop about this drug’s incredible side effect: weight loss.

All this commotion surrounding Ozempic was set in motion by a tweet from Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk. What is the wealthiest man on earth creating controversy about this time? No crazy investments. And he isn’t purchasing another massive social media platform, either. It’s because of his weight loss journey. Recently, the business entrepreneur was praised by one of his Twitter followers for how much bodyweight he lost in the past few months. Musk lost 30lbs; he achieved that with the help of a secret weapon: Ozempic. When asked how he managed to lose so much weight, Musk replied: “Fasting + Ozempic/Wegovy + no tasty food near me.” Once the magnate mentioned the drug and how much he benefited from it, a shortage of Ozempic was inevitable; just like Musk, everybody wants to experience the advantages of Ozempic. Actually, Ozempic is not a weight loss supplement; this drug is meant to treat diabetes, but one of its side effects is aiding weight loss. In just a couple of weeks, Ozempic can help you lose up to 14 pounds. That, of course, when combined with a low-calorie meal plan and regular exercise.

Apparently, everyone is running to their healthcare provider, asking for a prescription for this diabetes drug. We bet you don’t want to miss out on this fantastic new weight loss treatment. So we will enlighten you on everything you need to know about Ozempic and weight loss.

What is Ozempic?

As already mentioned, Ozempic is not a chronic weight management supplement. This drug became famous for its lose weight benefits, but originally it was developed to treat diabetes. Semaglutide – an anti-diabetes medication – is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk under the brand Ozempic. This prescription medication treats type 2 diabetes by helping regulate blood sugar levels and preventing health complications for diabetic patients. This injectable blood sugar control medication was approved in the U.S. in 2017.

When used for weight loss purposes, it is nearly impossible to get your insurance to cover Ozempic. Ozempic isn’t an approved weight loss drug and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently evaluating Ozempic to be sold as a chronic weight management supplement. Paying for it out-of-pocket, this diabetes drug can cost around $700 per monthly supply. This drug does magic to assist in losing body weight, but its high cost makes some people rethink the classic diet and a good workout at the gym. The truth is that if you are committed to your weight loss journey, then giving Ozempic a go is a good idea. Our experienced team from our weight loss clinic in Chicago encourages you to do it by following a safe and efficient weight loss plan.

Why did this drug gain so much attention?

Although Musk made Ozempic sales reach the sky, he can’t take all the credit for making this drug worldwide popular. A few months before Tesla’s CEO mentioned the drug, a wave of Ozempic shortage occurred. The ones responsible for that were a group of TikTok celebrities. The social media app influencers started sharing their incredible weight loss results after resorting to Ozempic. Some even praised and thanked the person who first thought of Ozempic as a body weight loss aid. Tiktok celebrities also shared various diet plans and exercise routines they used to reach their goals. But they all agreed on one thing: what really made a world of difference was Ozempic. There are many efficient medical weight loss supplements currently on the market. Anyway, Ozempic is slowly and steadily becoming everyone’s favorite choice.

A while ago, Novo Nordick noticed that diabetic patients using Ozempic tend to lose weight. The pharmacy company ran a test to obtain objective results about Ozempic aiding weight loss. The results were more than positive. After the worldwide Ozempic internet movement, Novo Nordisk required Ozempic to be approved as a chronic weight management supplement. Presently, the FDA is revising the drug to be used as a weekly weight loss aid shot.

How does Ozempic work for weight loss?

Ozempic contains an active compound called semaglutide. Semaglutide mimics a hormone called GLP-1, which enhances insulin secretion. This medication works by making your stomach empty food slower than usual, taking it longer to pass food to the small intestine. This process helps control blood sugar spikes. When that happens, you will feel full for longer.

In a way, Ozempic gives a similar result to that of phentermine for weight loss: appetite suppression. Although both drugs’ processes and interactions with the body are completely different. No hunger spikes = no consuming unnecessary large amounts of calories. That is how Ozempic leads you to reach your weight loss goal.

Ozempic comes in pen injectors of 1mg or 4 mg; the dose can be adjusted. When used for weight loss purposes, Ozempic is injected once a week; you’ll probably start with a low dosage of 0.25mg. If your healthcare professional finds it necessary, they will gradually increase the dosage. For healthy reasons, you can take up to 1.0 mg per week. It depends on the patient and their start weight but using Ozempic; most people reach an average weight loss of 10% of their body weight.

Ozempic is meant to be used in people with a Body Max Index (BMI) of 30 and higher and those with a BMI of 27 who have a metabolic condition. If you don’t meet those requirements, another aid may be more suitable for you. Lipo C injections do wonders to boost weight loss and help you reduce fat fast; this option could be better if you want to lose a few pounds quickly.

Is it safe?

Ozempic is not an FDA-approved weight loss drug, which makes a lot of people wonder: is it safe to take this drug to lose weight? Even though not sold as a weight loss drug, Ozempic has been on the market for a long time now. The drug’s manufacturer’s pharmaceutical company also tested its efficiency for losing weight and its possible effects.

Of course, like any other drug, especially a relatively new one, it is recommended to consult a doctor before taking it. And do the entire treatment with the guidance of a professional. Ozempic and weight loss pair great together, but when following a well-thought and efficient weight loss plan, you will stay safe and enhance Ozempic’s benefits. For example, in his tweet, Musk mentioned he resorts to fasting besides the drug. If you want to learn more about the benefits of fasting and the stages of fasting by the hour, you can contact us.

Possible side effects

Ozempic comes with a few side effects, such as most prescription medications. Among the most common side effects, Ozempic users experience stomach aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. The intensity of these effects varies, but they are mostly endured very well by most patients. And some people don’t even suffer from them at all. The most uncomfortable side effect is nausea; you can control nausea by eating slowly, not lying down after a meal, and drinking cold drinks. If you feel any of these side effects for too long, get medical attention as soon as possible to ensure nothing serious is going on.

In some cases, Ozempic may cause serious side effects such as low blood sugar levels, pancreatitis, kidney problems, blurred vision, and allergic reactions. While not so common, these dangerous side effects can happen. Attend regular medical check-ups and appointments to ensure you are thriving with the results of using Ozempic without risking your health.

Final thoughts

Evidently, Ozempic and weight loss do belong in the same sentence. Many celebrities are resorting to this efficient weight loss drug, and the world is following them. But Ozempic doesn’t own its fame due to influencers and celebs. This medication earned its merits by providing efficient results and helping thousands of people around the globe to achieve their weight loss goals. We don’t think Ozempic is having its 15 minutes of fame; it is here to stay.

When resorting to a weight loss aid supplement, the drug alone is never enough. You need a solid plan if you want to succeed and get results. Besides regular exercise, a solid diet meal plan, low in calories, will be necessary too. And if you find it hard to stay away from treats and junk food, remember what Musk said “no tasty food around me.” If you want to commit to a life-changing weight loss journey with Ozempic or want to know more about this drug, schedule your appointment with us.

Author

Nurse Walton

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Chanay received her Practical Nurse licensure and went to work in clinical specialties such as Home Health, Assisted Living, Long-Term Care and Dialysis Centers. Through this work, she realized the importance of diet, nutrition and weight loss among her patients. This led her to open A Better Weigh, Inc. Medical Weight Loss Center in 2009.