Have you been prescribed Ozempic for diabetes? Let's talk about it simply (A Guide to Ozempic)

If you have Type 2 Diabetes, your doctor has probably told you about a medication called Ozempic. Or you may have heard about it somewhere because it's been talked about everywhere. Since it's a relatively new medication, many people have questions and even a little fear. You may be wondering things like, "What will happen with this?", "Is it safe?", "How do I use it?" So today, let's talk briefly and honestly about what Ozempic is, what it does to our bodies, what are its benefits, and what are the things to be aware of.

What is Ozempic? How does it actually work?

Simply put, Ozempic is a medication that helps control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It is usually prescribed along with a proper diet and exercise. It is also used to reduce the risk of major events such as heart attack or stroke in people with diabetes who have heart disease.

The active ingredient in this medicine is semaglutide. Now, let's see how it works. This medicine works like a hormone called GLP-1 that is naturally produced in our body. That is:

• Stimulates insulin production: After we eat, this signals the pancreas to produce more insulin, which is what moves sugar from the blood into the cells.
• Stops the release of sugar from the liver: This controls the unnecessary release of sugar (glucose) stored in our liver into the blood.
• Slows down the movement of food: This slows down the speed at which the food we eat moves from the stomach to the intestines. This helps control the sudden spike in blood sugar levels after eating. It also helps you feel full for longer, which can help control how much you eat.

The most important thing is that if you are taking Ozempic, do not take any other medicine containing semaglutide (which comes under other names) at the same time. It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking.

Benefits of Ozempic and what has been proven in trials

Before this drug came to the market, many large clinical studies were conducted to find out how effective and safe it was.

Most importantly, in a study of people with both diabetes and heart disease, those who took Ozempic had significantly fewer serious events, such as heart attack, stroke, or death from heart disease, than those who did not take the drug.

Another important thing is blood sugar control. You may be familiar with the blood test called HbA1c. This is how we see how well your blood sugar has been controlled over the past 2-3 months. In trials, Ozempic has been more effective at lowering HbA1c than several other popular diabetes medications (such as sitagliptin, exenatide, insulin glargine).

Shall we talk about weight loss too?

One of the things that people talk about a lot is that Ozempic helps you lose weight. Yes, it's true. Many people who have taken the drug have seen significant weight loss . On average, people who have taken the drug for at least 30 weeks have reported losing between 7 and 14 pounds (that's about 3 to 6.5 kilograms ), depending on the dose. But keep in mind that these results can vary from person to person.

How do you use Ozempic?

Ozempic is an injection that comes as a liquid and is given under the skin once a week .

• Same day: It is important to get this vaccine on the same day every week (e.g. every Sunday). If you want to change the day, there must be at least two days (48 hours) between two doses.
• Vaccination site: Change the injection site each time. You can use the skin on your stomach, thigh, or the back of your upper arm.
• The Pen: This medication comes in a very easy-to-use, pre-filled pen. You need to attach a new needle to the pen each time.
• Ask your doctor: Before using the pen for the first time, ask your doctor or a trained nurse to show you exactly how to use it. It is very important. Do not inject the pen into a vein or muscle.

Side effects and interactions with other medications

Like any medicine, Ozempic can have some minor side effects. Don't worry, most of the time these aren't serious.

When to seek immediate medical advice

These are very rare, but serious conditions.

If you have persistent severe stomach pain (which may radiate to your back) and vomiting, stop taking Ozempic immediately and call your doctor or go to the emergency room (ETU) at your nearest hospital. This could be an inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

Also, if you are trying to get pregnant, you should stop taking Ozempic at least two months before trying to get pregnant . Talk to your doctor about this.

Beware of fake medicines!

Because Ozempic is a popular drug, there have been reports of counterfeit drugs being sold under this name around the world. These are very dangerous. Therefore, always obtain this drug only from a government-registered, trusted pharmacy, according to a doctor's prescription . Never buy medicine online or from unknown sources.