Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription drug that’s used in people with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is given as an injection directly under the skin on your thighs, upper arms or stomach.

What you need to know:

Overview of what Ozempic is
How Ozempic works in the body to achieve its intended effects
Side effects and risks
Usage and dosage
Benefits and effectiveness

Overview of what Ozempic is

Ozempic, also known as semaglutide, is used to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type-2 diabetes and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or death in those with heart disease.

How Ozempic works in the body to achieve its intended effects

This medication helps people with diabetes to reduce related risks by:

Increasing the amount of insulin your body makes after a meal. This keeps your blood sugar levels from getting too high.
Lowering the amount of sugar your liver makes.

Side effects and risks

Here are some common mild and serious Ozempic side effects that you might experience:

Mild:

Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Constipation
Nausea

Severe:

Pancreatitis
Risk of thyroid tumors and cancers
Diabetic retinopathy
Hypoglycemia
Allergic reaction
Gall bladder disease

Note that Ozempic is a long-term drug that can lead to permanent weight loss, establishing a new normal for your body. However, stopping an Ozempic course suddenly can enable you to gain back the weight you lost.

Usage and dosage

Ozempic comes as a liquid solution inside disposable pens. Here is a table about its dose and strength.

Strength	The dose given per injection
1.34 mg/mL	0.25 mg or 0.5 mg
0.68 mg/mL	0.25 mg or 0.5 mg
1.34 mg/mL	1 mg
2.68 mg/mL	2 mg

You must take Ozempic according to the recommended dosages provided by the doctor. You can take it once every week and consume diabetes medications on the same day. While your doctor may start with a low dose for the first four weeks, it will be increased depending on your blood sugar levels and other factors.

Here are a few strategies that you can adopt to administer Ozempic comfortably and safely:

Clean your hands with soap and water before injecting Ozempic.
Have all the Ozempic-related supplies near you.
Change your Ozempic needle every time you use the pen.
Check the pen to make sure the medicine is clean.
Double-check that the dose is correct.
Do not share your pen with anyone else.
Make a note of the expiry date of your Ozempic pen (They can be used within 56 days after opening it).

Benefits and effectiveness

Here are some of the benefits that you can get from Ozempic:

Managing blood sugar levels

Ozempic has demonstrated its effectiveness in managing type 2 diabetes, as evidenced by several clinical studies. It effectively reduces both hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and body weight. HbA1c is the average blood sugar level of the preceding three months. Adults dealing with type-2 diabetes who also have specific health concerns can benefit from Ozempic. These conditions include:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
Kidney disease
Heart failure

Weight management

Here is how Ozempic can help you lose the extra kilos

It slows down the rate at which your stomach empties after a meal. This delay in the digestive process can extend the feeling of fullness, keeping you satisfied for an extended period.

Ozempic represents a significant advancement in diabetes management and weight loss, offering promising results for patients. Its benefits, coupled with manageable side effects, make it a valuable option for people with diabetes. However, if your Ozempic side effects increase, visit a doctor immediately.

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