(semaglutide) injection
Ozempic is a prescription medication that contains the active ingredient semaglutide. It is primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes by helping regulate blood sugar levels. Ozempic belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic a natural hormone in the body (GLP-1) to help control blood sugar, slow digestion, and reduce appetite.
In addition to its use for diabetes, Ozempic is also prescribed off-label for weight loss in certain patients, as it can help reduce hunger and promote feelings of fullness.
Ozempic is typically injected once a week and is used alongside a healthy diet and exercise plan to help manage blood sugar and support weight loss in some cases.
Ozempic works by mimicking a natural hormone in your body called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). This hormone helps regulate blood sugar levels and impacts your appetite. Here’s how Ozempic works:
Regulates Blood Sugar: Ozempic helps lower blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin production when blood sugar is high and by reducing the amount of sugar your liver releases.
Slows Digestion: It slows down the movement of food from the stomach into the intestines, helping you feel fuller for a longer time, which can reduce overall food intake.
Reduces Appetite: Ozempic also affects areas in the brain that control hunger, which can lead to reduced appetite and contribute to weight loss.
These actions combined help with managing blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes and may support weight loss when used appropriately.
Ozempic’s dosing typically starts low and is gradually increased to reduce the risk of side effects. Here’s the general dosing schedule:
Initial Dose:
0.25 mg once a week for the first 4 weeks. This is to help your body adjust to the medication.
Maintenance Dose:
After 4 weeks, the dose is increased to 0.5 mg once a week.
Possible Dose Increase:
If additional blood sugar control is needed, your provider may increase the dose to 1 mg once a week after at least 4 weeks on the 0.5 mg dose.
Further increases to 1.7 mg or 2 mg are possible if needed for continued blood sugar control, typically after 4 weeks on the 1 mg dose.
Ozempic is injected once a week, at any time of the day, with or without meals. It’s important to follow your provider’s instructions and adjust your dose based on your response and medical condition.
