Is Ozempic Insulin?
Introduction
The newfound nationwide demand for Ozempic, a medication for diabetes management and weight loss, has been widely covered by the media and appeared in many social media discussions. As with any emerging intervention, prospective patients have many questions. Finding answers can be challenging as misconceptions spread.
Ozempic helps people with obesity lose weight and reshape their bodies. It's also a valuable medication for patients with type-2 diabetes. Its dual uses raise questions for patients considering their weight loss options about how the medication affects non-diabetics.
This article explains what Ozempic does, how it differs from insulin, how to administer it, and the common side effects. Educating yourself about the drug will prepare you for a discussion with your doctor about using Ozempic and your suitability for the medication.
What is Ozempic and What is it Used For?
Ozempic is an FDA-approved type-2 diabetes medication patients use to manage their blood sugar. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder in which the body cannot maintain healthy blood sugar levels to utilize the energy from food. Ozempic, or semaglutide, addresses this condition by stimulating insulin production in the pancreas.
The medication also raises the section of GLP-1 in the digestive tract. This hormone influences the way the body processes food.
Doctors also prescribe Ozempic off-label, a common practice in medicine, to help patients with obesity lose weight. Semaglutide suppresses appetite, lowering caloric intake. Simultaneously, GLP-1 alters how the body stores food, changing its target baseline weight.
What is the Difference Between Ozempic and Insulin?
Insulin is an essential hormone produced in the pancreas. The body uses it to convert food into energy and regulate blood sugar. Patients with type-1 or type-2 diabetes generate less insulin, or their bodies use it less efficiently, leading to kidney, eye, and nerve problems. Diabetes also elevates the risk of obesity, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.
Patients with diabetes use a combination of diet, exercise, and insulin therapy to manage their condition. These interventions help them maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Patients take prescription synthetic insulin, which mimics the effects of naturally produced insulin, to manage their diabetes. Treating diabetes with insulin entails self-injections into the abdomen or a wearable pump that attaches to the upper arm.
Effectively treatment with insulin requires patients with diabetes to monitor their glucose levels and diet. It is unsafe for non-diabetics to take insulin because it can lead to harmful levels of the hormone.
Ozempic is not insulin. Instead, it stimulates the pancreas to make more insulin or enhances the effects of synthetic insulin by facilitating the conversion process that occurs after digestion. Patients with type-2 diabetes can take Ozempic in addition to insulin to help manage their condition. Individuals without diabetes can safely take Ozempic because it does not contain synthetic insulin that could alter their natural hormone balance.
How Do You Take Ozempic?
You can self-administer Ozempic using an easy-to-operate, pre-dosed injectable pen. Most people take a weekly dose. You inject it into the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. Doctors recommend rotating the injection site to minimize skin irritation and the chance of a reaction. Before beginning treatment, the provider will instruct you on proper self-injection technique and sterilization.
Most patients begin with a low dose of Ozempic for four weeks and progress to higher levels based on their response. Ozempic expires 56 days after its first use. It's essential to verify the clarity of the liquid before each injection.
Ozempic Side Effects and Risks
All medications can cause side effects, but the odds of experiencing them vary from person to person. Swelling or redness at the injection site and fatigue are possible with Ozempic. Some patients experience gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or constipation.
Your doctor may alter your dose or injection frequency depending on the extent and severity of your side effects.
Dangerous adverse reactions to Ozempic are less common and include low blood sugar, kidney damage characterized by urinary changes, and blurred or diminished vision. Alerting your doctor to the side effects you experience is essential to prevent severe damage.
What Makes a Good Candidate for Ozempic?
The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for Ozempic is to consult a qualified physician. Ozempic is typically recommended for patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30 and a health condition related to obesity, like high blood pressure. Doctors may also order Ozempic for patients with lower BMIs who have trouble losing weight despite diet and exercise.
Being open and honest with the doctor is the best way to ensure Ozempic will be safe and effective. Endocrine disorders, pregnancy, diabetic retinopathy, kidney disease, pancreatic conditions, or a family history of certain thyroid cancers contraindicate Ozempic.
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July 18, 2023
Written By
Jake Peter
Fact-checked By
Dr. Avidon Appel
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