Losing weight can be extremely difficult for anyone. There are all kinds of weird and wonderful – yet not effective – so-called weight-busting remedies and tonics on the market. There are also tons of supplements or diets and clubs for weight loss.
As an expert medical centre in Glasgow, we know that losing weight (voluntarily) only happens through calorie control, exercise and medications. Or a combination of the first two. However, we do know that restricted and controlled medications do work. And there are now a few on the market available on prescription from specialist medical practitioners, including at Nadcell.
Ozempic Now Approved For Weight Loss Use
Medical weight loss has seen a significant transformation in recent months with the introduction of Ozempic, also known as Semaglutide or Wegovy. It has been in the news a lot recently as it has now been approved for weight loss by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Ozempic is a weekly injection originally intended for individuals with Type 2 diabetes. It falls under the category of a GLP-1 analogue medication (medications to treat diabetes). The drug imitates a naturally occurring chemical that our bodies produce to control our blood sugar levels and appetite
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a chemical produced by our gut in response to food intake. It performs many functions, but four actions make it important in weight loss.
Regulating Appetite
GLP-1 travels to our brain and signals a reduction in appetite. It’s how our brains know we’re full when we’ve eaten.
Managing Glucose
In the liver, GLP-1 reduces the amount of glucose released and therefore controls blood sugar levels.
Controlling Digestion
GLP-1 slows down stomach emptying, keeping food in the stomach for longer, which means, of course, reducing the frequency of when we feel we need to eat.
Producing Insulin
GLP-1 increases the amount of insulin produced and released, normally activated when blood sugar levels are high.
Ozempic Dosage
Ozempic is usually prescribed at two doses: 0.5mg and 1mg. In some clinical trials, the original dosage was 0.25mg per week which was then increased to 0.5mg after 4 weeks. The scientists used this increasing method to accustom the body to the drug. If the blood sugar levels remain high even after a considerable duration, the dose may be increased to 1mg.
However, keep in mind that the effects of Ozempic take time to kick in. It takes approximately 5 weeks for the drug to enter your system fully, so it takes some time for the initial benefits of the drug to kick-in and the main effect isn’t felt for 12-24 weeks. Patients should be aware of this time period and not increase the dosage any further, purely because they don’t feel it is working. It’s important to wait for noticeable effects before increasing the dosage any further.
How Does Ozempic Compare With Other Weight Loss Treatments?
There are several GLP-1 therapies available today such as Trulicity (Dulaglutide), Bydureon (Exenatide Extended Release) and daily versions like Liraglutide and Byetta. However, Ozempic stands out due to its efficacy. Studies have shown that Ozempic lowers HbA1C – which is the amount of glucose attached to haemoglobin in blood – by around 1.5-1.6% compared to placebo, proving incredibly effective. Good news for diabetics and people wanting to lose weight.
In comparison with other GLP-1 therapies like Bydureon or insulin glargine, Ozempic was found to be superior in reducing HbA1C. Trulicity, one of the most effective GLP-1 drugs, came close to Ozempic in effectiveness, but Ozempic still showed superior results.
Ozempic is notably effective at promoting weight loss, with studies showing a weight loss of between 3.5kg – 6.5kg favouring Ozempic. This makes it the most effective drug in the GLP-1 category for weight reduction.
Are there any side effects with Ozempic?
Like all medications, Ozempic can have its potential side effects which include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain and decreased appetite. These symptoms typically subside after about 8 to 12 weeks. If any discomfort persists, it’s advised to maintain the initial dose until the symptoms have settled.
Certain, more serious, side effects are rare, such as inflammation of the pancreas, but possible. Low blood sugar and allergic reactions have also been known to occur.
Ozempic is a new medical weight loss treatment for individuals, borne out of diabetes research. Moreover, it can reduce the likelihood of further cardiovascular problems in people with cardiovascular risk factors by around 25%.
Weight Loss Clinic in Glasgow
Ozempic allows healthcare and well-being professionals, such as Nadcell Clinic, to provide help to people who would like to lose weight and where a medical intervention would increase the likelihood of success. The benefits of weight loss, blood sugar reduction and potential reduction in cardiovascular events mean that we absolutely promote its use and can consult on its treatment.