All about Ozempic injection for weight loss

India is the diabetes capital of the world. 7.7 crore Indians aged 18 and above are suffering from type 2 diabetes. 2.5 crore Indians are on the verge of becoming diabetic. Even more alarming is that over half of the population is unaware of their blood sugar levels.

Being a diabetic increases the chances of severe health issues. This includes stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage, and blindness.

With such health concerns on the rise, managing type 2 diabetes has become more crucial than ever. This is where Ozempic offers a ray of hope. Hailed as the most revolutionary ‘anti-diabetic’ injection by experts worldwide, Ozempic is now considered the ultimate solution for diabetics.

But Ozempic’s benefits don’t end there. In addition to helping diabetics control their blood sugar levels, it also targets weight loss.

This article will explain how Ozempic works. It will also elaborate on the benefits of managing diabetes and how it helps with weight loss.

What is Ozempic used for?

Ozempic, with semaglutide as its active ingredient, is an injection that mimics the action of GLP-1, a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels. It is used to treat diabetes. However, it is also prescribed off-label for obesity.

The FDA first approved Ozempic for diabetes in 2017.

How does it work?

Ozempic works in multiple ways within the human body. The infographic below clearly explains how the injection positively affects health. It improves not just blood sugar but also the digestive system, body weight, and insulin sensitivity.

Pancreas

Helps your pancreas release just the right amount of insulin after your meal.

Liver

Prevents your liver from making too much sugar. Your insulin sensitivity improves.

Stomach

Slows down gastric emptying (how fast your food leaves the stomach) and helps you feel fuller for longer. Your sugar levels stay in control, and you may lose weight too.

How Ozempic works

Click on one of the organs to see how Ozempic works in the body

Benefits of taking Ozempic injection:

Weight loss and A1C reduction:

In a clinical review report^[1], researchers looked at the change in body weight over 30 weeks in patients with type 2 diabetes. These patients hadn't taken medication before and weren't managing their blood sugar well with only diet and exercise. Some participants were given 0.5 mg semaglutide, some were given 1 mg semaglutide, and the rest were given placebo.

In the same study, researchers measured the change in A1C levels (last three months’ average blood glucose levels) over 30 weeks in patients with type 2 diabetes who hadn't taken medication before. Here too, some participants were administered 0.5 mg semaglutide, some were given 1 mg semaglutide, and the rest were placed on placebo.

After 30 weeks, they found that semaglutide 0.5 mg and semaglutide 1 mg doses helped the participants lose significantly more weight and manage their A1C levels more considerably when compared to placebo.

The graph below shows the drastic difference between the effectiveness of semaglutide and placebo.

Participants lost up to 4.53 kg weight on 1 mg semaglutide against just 0.98 kg weight on placebo.

Participants also observed A1C reduction of up to 1.55% on 1 mg semaglutide against only 0.22% reduction with placebo.

Semaglutide vs Placebo For Weight Loss and A1C Reduction

Cardiovascular and kidney health

Ozempic can also lower the risk^[2] of cardiovascular disease. This has been observed in type 2 diabetics and those with pre-existing heart disease.

Dr. Anoop Misra, Chairman, Fortis C-DOC Hospital, notes in an interview with ThePrint, “The emerging evidence shows that semaglutide not only strongly reduces heart attack and stroke risk but also has salutary effects on the kidneys.”

Ozempic manufacturer Novo Nordisk performed an unpublished clinical trial. The company observed that semaglutide showed a 24% reduction in kidney disease progression.

Cancer risk reduction:

A study^[3] was published in December 2023. It was noted that GLP-1 medicines, such as Ozempic, reduced colon cancer rates among type 2 diabetics. 18,518 diabetic people who took GLP-1s had a 25% reduction in colorectal cancer compared to 18,518 diabetic people who took metformin.

Who can take Ozempic?

If you want to take Ozempic for weight loss or diabetes management, you must meet at least one of the factors mentioned below:

• Age: 18 or older.
• Type 2 diabetes (not for type 1 diabetes).
• Unable to control blood glucose levels with other medicines.
• Overweight or obese adults with a BMI of:
  • 30 kg/m2
  • 27 kg/m2 if one or more weight-related complications are present

Who should avoid Ozempic?

Ozempic might not be suitable for everyone. Reconsider your decision if you:

• Have a history of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC).
• Have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2 (MEN 2).
• Have severe allergic reactions to semaglutide.
• Are pregnant. Use it only if the benefits outweigh the risks for your baby. Animal studies suggest it could be harmful.
• Are planning a pregnancy. Stop taking Ozempic at least two months before planning pregnancy. This is the time it takes to wash out from the system.
• Belong to one or more of the following special patient groups:
  • Breastfeeding women: It isn't clear if Ozempic can pass into breast milk or affect a breastfeeding baby. But before using it, weigh the benefits and risks.
  • Older population: There are no significant concerns regarding older patients taking the injection. However, some older individuals might be more sensitive to it.
  • Kidney patients: Kidney patients can take this medicine without any dose adjustment. But careful monitoring is recommended.
  • Liver patients: No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with liver problems. But keep monitoring the effects.

How to take Ozempic?

Doctors prescribe Ozempic at the lowest strength and gradually work their way up.

Ozempic acts best when injected under the skin. Places like the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm are rich in fatty tissue. So, they make for excellent administration sites.

Check out a quick video below to understand how to use Ozempic injection pen.

Follow these step-by-step instructions while injecting yourself with Ozempic:

To prepare the pen:

• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Ensure the pen says OZEMPIC® and the medicine inside is clear and colourless.
• Turn the dose selector to the flow check symbol.

To use the injection:

• Remove the paper tab from a new needle.
• Push the needle straight onto the pen and twist until it’s tight.
• Take off both needle caps (keep the outer cap, discard the inner cap).

To check the flow:

• Hold the pen with the needle pointing up.
• Press and hold the dose button until the counter shows 0.
• Ensure a drop appears at the needle tip.
• If no drop appears, repeat up to six times, and change the needle if needed. Contact Novo Nordisk if it still doesn't work.

To select the dose:

• Turn the dose selector to your prescribed dose (0.25 mg or 0.5 mg).
• Make sure the dose counter shows the exact dose you need.
• Remember to use a new needle for each injection. This helps prevent infection and ensures the correct dose.

To select the injection site:

• Choose a spot on your stomach, thigh, or upper arm for the injection.
• Rotate injection sites to avoid using the same area repeatedly.
• Wipe the chosen injection site with an alcohol swab and let it dry.

To inject your dose:

• Insert the needle into your skin as shown by your doctor.
• Press and hold the dose button until the counter shows 0.
• Count to 6 while pressing the button. Remove the needle from your skin.
• If blood appears, press lightly with gauze or cotton. Do not rub.

You can always refer to the prescription guide for more information.

Uncomfortable with needles? Then Rybelsus, the tablet form of semaglutide, is a great alternative.

Dosage schedule

Taking Ozempic at the right place and the right time is crucial to effectively manage diabetes. Refer to the infographic below to understand the correct Ozempic dosage schedule.

Your doctor will decide the dosage based on your current health status

How to store Ozempic injection?

Store Ozempic injection as instructed below to ensure its efficiency in the long run.

How to dispose Ozempic injection and needles safely?

Use a sharps disposal container to dispose Ozempic injection and needles. These containers are designed specifically for safe sharps collection. They are available at most local Indian pharmacies.

Once your container is nearly full, take it to your nearest pharmacy. The pharmacy will dispose of it in a safe, hygienic manner.

Potential drug interactions

Drug interactions happen when one medicine affects how another works in the body. Inform your doctor beforehand about any medications or supplements you are on.

Here are some Ozempic drug interactions that you need to be mindful of:

Refer to the patient information leaflet for more details on drug interactions.

Ozempic side effects

Like any other drug, Ozempic comes with its fair share of side effects. Take under strict medical supervision can help avoid unfavourable events. Usually, these side effects resolve in a few days. But if they don't, then it would be best to visit your doctor.

Common side effects

• Nausea
• Low blood sugar

Talk to your doctor if these side effects worsen or do not disappear after a few days

Less common side effects

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Constipation
• Indigestion
• Burping
• Gas
• Heartburn

To know more, refer to the Ozempic Patient Information Leaflet.

Rare side effects

• Stomach inflammation: Swelling of the stomach lining.
• Gallstones: Solid particles form in the gallbladder.
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas.
• Acute kidney injury: A sudden episode of kidney failure.
• Gastroparesis: Paralysis of stomach muscles.
• Tiredness: Feeling unusually tired or weak.
• Change in taste: Altered sense of taste.
• Dizziness: Feeling lightheaded or unsteady.
• Injection site reaction: Redness, swelling, or pain where the injection is given.
• Diabetic retinopathy: Damage to blood vessels in the retina (back of the eye) can lead to vision loss.
• Higher risk of thyroid tumours.

Stop taking Ozempic and talk to your doctor immediately if you see any side effects.

How to manage Ozempic side effects

• Eat smaller, more frequent meals to avoid overwhelming your digestive system.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
• Avoid greasy foods to prevent stomach-related side effects.
• Report any severe or persistent issues to your doctor immediately.

Real people, real results: Ozempic success stories

Despite several side effects that might come with Ozempic injections, there have been countless real-life success stories that offer a glimmer of hope for those seeking to make their health better day by day.

Below, find two Ozempic success stories from humans who used the injection for weight loss and diabetes management - and loved the results.

NSV - My first "real" one!
byu/Far_Manufacturer75 inOzempic

My favorite things
byu/BeeSeaingYou inOzempic

Is Ozempic available in India?

Ozempic isn’t currently available in India.

However, Novo Nordisk has launched a tablet form of semaglutide for adults with type 2 diabetes. It is called Rybelsus and is available in India with a licensed doctor’s prescription.

If you are looking for safe and effective weight loss medicine in India, Aktive is your one-stop solution. With Aktive’s weight loss plans, you can lose up to 10-15% weight in as little as six months.

What is Ozempic price in India?

Since Ozempic isn’t available in India as of yet, there is no set price for the injection.

Conclusion

Ozempic is a breakthrough in managing type 2 diabetes. While ongoing research hints at even more benefits down the line, its primary role is clear: to help manage blood sugar levels. It works best when balanced with diet and regular exercise.

Everyone's situation is unique, so it's essential to consult with your doctor to see if Ozempic is right for you. They will help create a tailored diabetes management plan that includes a holistic combination of medications and lifestyle changes.