A Guide to Ozempic

Tune into any media channel these days, and you’ll likely hear the word Ozempic. The medication has attracted much attention in recent years thanks to its dual benefits in treating diabetes and assisting with weight loss. If you’re considering Ozempic or any of its alternatives, it’s essential to understand what it is, how it works, and what its potential risks and benefits are.

What is Ozempic and Why is it Used?

Ozempic is a prescription medication containing semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It’s primarily prescribed for diabetes, particularly for those with Type 2 diabetes, to help manage blood sugar levels. However, weight loss has become a secondary and widely discussed benefit of the drug.

Ozempic is injected weekly to help the body regulate insulin production and lower blood sugar levels. Additionally, it can slow gastric emptying, making individuals feel fuller for longer to encourage weight loss.

How Does Ozempic Work?

When you inject Ozempic, it mimics the action of a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1. This hormone helps to:

Increase insulin production: When blood sugar levels are high, Ozempic signals the pancreas to produce insulin, which lowers blood sugar.
Reduce glucagon production: It lowers the release of glucagon, a hormone that increases blood sugar.
Slow gastric emptying: This makes you feel full longer after eating, which can help reduce calorie intake and support Ozempic weight loss.

Ozempic and Diabetes

Ozempic works like the natural hormones in your gut in response to eating food. It helps lower blood sugar by prompting your body to produce more insulin after eating. It also slows the movement and absorption of food in your gut, allowing your body to process food more effectively.

If you’re struggling to manage your diabetes with diet, exercise, and other medications, Ozempic, or one of its alternatives, might be the solution you need.

Man preparing an Ozempic injection device for use.

Ozempic and Weight Loss

Ozempic has a reputation for its role in rapid weight loss. It reduces caloric intake by suppressing appetite and slowing digestion. This can be particularly beneficial for people who are overweight or have obesity and are looking for ways to manage their weight.

However, it’s important to remember that Ozempic weight loss results are most effective when paired with a balanced diet and regular physical activity and that weight loss is difficult to maintain without the medication.

Benefits and Risks of Ozempic

Benefits:

Improved blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetes.
Weight loss as a secondary benefit.
Reduced risk of heart disease in people with Type 2 diabetes.
Easy to use with once-weekly injections.

Risks and Side Effects:

Ozempic does come with potential side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation. More serious side effects, though rare, include pancreatitis and kidney problems. Before starting Ozempic, your GP will assess whether the benefits outweigh the risks based on your health profile.

How to Get a Prescription for Ozempic

The first step to trying Ozempic is to contact your GP at Goldfields Family Medical Centre. Your doctor will review your medical history, perform necessary tests, and determine if Ozempic is right for you. A prescription will only be issued if it’s deemed an appropriate treatment for your health needs.

Ozempic Alternatives

Since August 2024, there’s been a shortage in the supply of Ozempic in Australia. This shortage has seen some people turn to alternative medications like Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). These medications involve once-weekly injectable medications. They work similarly but have a few key differences that should be discussed with your GP.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved Mounjaro for the management of Type 2 diabetes in adults in 2023. Wegovy is approved for weight management in adults and adolescents, ‘as an adjunct to a reduced-energy diet and increased physical activity when specific criteria are met’.

Contact Us Today

If you have questions or want to discuss whether Ozempic or its alternatives are right for you, contact the Goldfields Family Medical Centre team today.

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A Guide to Ozempic