1. How does Ozempic and different in style weight reduction medicine work?
GLP-1 is the primary driver of Ozempic’s weight reduction results, past its results on blood sugar. “GLP-1 will increase satiety, reduces urge for food, and slows digestion, which additionally suppresses urge for food,” says Palinsky-Wade. She explains that the drug slows the emptying of meals from the abdomen, which might hold you feeling full longer.
“Some individuals could really feel an urge for food suppressant impact inside 24 to 48 hours, however weight reduction and blood sugar management could take longer,” says Dr. Chan. “Some individuals shed some pounds and obtain blood sugar management over a number of months, however the results final for greater than a 12 months.”
2. Who has been probably the most profitable Ozempic participant thus far?
Relating to Ozempic particularly, it’s at present unclear whether or not some teams of individuals are higher in a position to handle their blood sugar ranges than others, or whether or not they can lose extra weight with the drug. “We do not have that detailed proof but, however there are basic developments from different research,” Chan says. “Early intervention is best as a result of it reduces the variety of years of uncontrolled diabetes and other people with greater baseline weights are likely to shed some pounds.”
3. Who shouldn’t take Ozempic?
These similar limitations apply to Wegovy. Mounjaro and Zepbound are additionally not really useful throughout being pregnant or for individuals with household historical past of those situations.
4. Ought to I keep in Ozempic endlessly?
For most individuals, Ozempic is not going to be a short-term answer. “Semaglutide is a drug that needs to be taken long-term, not quickly,” says Dr. Washington. “Weight problems is a continual illness, and drugs do not work until you’re taking them.” When you cease taking Ozempic, you are likely to regain the load you misplaced, she says.
So how lengthy are you able to keep in Ozempic? No time restrict has been set but. (The identical is true for different new weight reduction medicine.) However so long as you tolerate the drug effectively and your well being care supplier recommends it, it’s best to have the ability to proceed taking it.
5. I do know that Ozempic loses weight rapidly. Are there any downsides to that?
“Decreased urge for food and decreased calorie consumption can promote weight reduction, however may also result in a scarcity of balanced diet and an elevated threat of dietary deficiencies,” says Palinsky-Wade. These potential deficiencies can have lasting results. For instance, not getting sufficient calcium and vitamin D in your weight-reduction plan can improve your threat of osteoporosis, she notes. Speedy weight reduction may also result in a lack of muscle mass, which might scale back total metabolism, energy, and stability over time.
Ozempic and different weight reduction medicine could have some beauty drawbacks. Many individuals report having an “Ozempik face,” or a sunken face attributable to speedy fats loss. (Sadly, you’ll be able to’t management which areas of your physique lose fats the quickest or most noticeably.) Some Ozempic customers complain about their “Ozempic butt.” The identical precept applies. Speedy weight reduction may cause your butt to sag or grow to be sunken.
6. I’ve heard that this drug has some fairly dangerous negative effects. Ought to I be involved?
Alternatively, for most individuals, the negative effects of those new weight reduction medicine aren’t debilitating and disappear rapidly. “Usually, these negative effects are seen throughout the first few weeks of therapy and when the dose is elevated,” Palinsky-Wade says. She recommends avoiding massive meals and high-fat meals to cut back digestive signs.
7. What are the long-term well being results of Ozempic?
That stated, Tchang recommends warning when you’ve got sure threat components. “A private or household historical past of medullary thyroid most cancers is a contraindication to Ozempic as a result of one of these most cancers has been related to Ozempic in animal research,” she says. “Nonetheless, it is very important focus on these considerations with the physician who is aware of your private state of affairs greatest.”
As with Ozempic, the long-term results of Munjaro and Seppbound additionally require extra knowledge. Palinsky-Wade stated thyroid tumors could ultimately grow to be a priority with these medicine. “The FDA has warned that tirzepatide may cause thyroid tumors in rats, however we do not but know if this is applicable to people. Additional analysis and long-term research are wanted,” she says.
8. How does Ozempic have an effect on my psychological well being?
Inform your physician when you really feel that your medicine is inflicting or worsening your psychotic signs. “It is necessary to fastidiously monitor an individual’s temper and make modifications as wanted,” Washington says.
9. How can I get Ozempic lined by insurance coverage?
Insurance coverage protection for Ozempic (and all drugs similar to weight reduction) varies by supplier and plan. In lots of instances, when you’ve got a legitimate drug prescription, your insurance coverage will cowl no less than a number of the price. Nonetheless, some insurance coverage solely cowl Ozempic when prescribed as a therapy for kind 2 diabetes, not when prescribed off-label as a weight reduction support. Nonetheless, Wegovy and Zepbound are FDA-approved for weight reduction and aren’t supposed to be prescribed to diabetics.
10. How a lot does Ozempic price?
11. How do I get Ozempic if my insurance coverage would not cowl it?
In case your insurance coverage plan doesn’t cowl Ozempic, there could also be different choices to cut back the price of the drug. Ozempic affords a financial savings card that permits customers with non-public or business insurance coverage to pay simply $25 per pen for as much as three months’ value of prescriptions. To entry this card, your prescription have to be for one, two, or three months, and it’s essential to reply a couple of qualifying questions on-line. In the event you’re all for one other weight reduction drug, verify that drug’s web site for potential financial savings.
It’s also possible to ask your physician or pharmacist for inside details about financial savings and affected person help applications in your space. Nationwide drug low cost applications like GoodRx could scale back prices.
12. Are there cheaper alternate options to Ozempic?
Contemplating Ozempic’s worth could be excessive, you’ll be able to’t blame anybody for in search of a less expensive various. Sadly, there aren’t any widespread alternate options to Ozempic, says Chan. Do not be fooled by some web sites promoting copycat variations of this drug. Counterfeit medicines aren’t a protected guess.
Some specialty pharmacies supply compounded semaglutide. These custom-made medicines mix the lively components in Ozempic with different medicines tailor-made to your particular person well being wants. However Chan says this feature would not have the identical security backing as brand-name medicine. “Compounded semaglutide has not undergone the identical rigorous medical testing because the model identify Ozempic, so sufferers who select this route tackle extra dangers and should depend on impartial analysis to make sure security and efficacy.”
If you cannot afford the identify model Ozempic, different weight reduction medicine are a chance, Chan says. “If Ozempic is just not out there, sufferers ought to seek the advice of a board-certified bariatric doctor who can focus on different choices which are often less expensive, similar to different GLP-1s or oral anti-obesity drugs,” she says.
13. How do I take advantage of Ozempic?
Ozempic is a weekly injection. The tactic of injecting Ozempic is comparatively easy. This medicine is available in a prefilled pen and is injected beneath the pores and skin. The place you carry out the injection is essentially as much as you. It may be injected into the stomach, thigh, or higher arm. Retailer Ozempic within the fridge earlier than first use. After use, the pen could be saved at room temperature between 59 and 86 levels Fahrenheit or within the fridge between 36 and 46 levels Fahrenheit for as much as 56 days. Don’t freeze Ozempic. Additionally, you’ll want to depart the cap on the pen when not in use.
14. I’ve heard that Zepbound and Mounjaro are much more efficient than Ozempic. What do I have to find out about these medicine?
Deciding which medicine is greatest for chances are you’ll contain evaluating your well being objectives. One of many key variations between Mounjaro and Ozempic is that Ozempic is FDA-approved to cut back the chance of coronary heart assault and stroke in individuals with kind 2 diabetes, whereas Mounjaro is just not. Discuss to your physician about whether or not Munjaro or Ozempic is best for you.
15. What occurs if I cease taking Ozempic?
Palinsky-Wade stated that is more likely to be the case with the drug tirzepatide, in addition to with semaglutide. “Generally, there’s at all times an opportunity you may acquire weight again after stopping weight reduction medicine,” she says. “These drugs are weight administration instruments, not fast fixes or cures.”
Even when you cease taking weight reduction drugs, you’ll be able to at all times proceed to make wholesome selections that promote weight reduction. “To cut back rebound weight acquire, individuals can proceed the approach to life modifications they discovered whereas taking semaglutide,” says Washington.
On a regular basis Well being’s Weight Loss Reframe Examine questioned 3,144 Individuals ages 18 and older throughout the nation who had tried to shed some pounds inside the previous six months. The research was carried out from July 10 to August 18, 2023, throughout demographic teams, gender, and well being standing. Recruitment for the research occurred through an internet portal, in-app, and through e mail. The margin of error for a pattern measurement of three,144 is +/-1.7 share factors at a 95 % confidence stage.
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- Ozempic is a GLP-1 agonist drug that will increase satiety and reduces urge for food. Different weight reduction medicine similar to Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have related results.
- Analysis exhibits that these medicine assist many individuals shed some pounds, however that you must hold taking them to maintain dropping pounds. These medicine may cause negative effects similar to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Costs range relying in your insurance coverage. As a result of medicine like Ozempic are comparatively new, researchers are nonetheless learning their long-term well being results.
- These medicine aren’t really useful for people who find themselves pregnant, have a historical past of diabetic retinopathy, or have pancreatic or kidney issues.
