O Ozempic a medicine from Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, has gained popularity in recent years due to its effect on weight loss . Indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the medicine has weight loss as one of its effects and has been used off label (i.e., outside the instructions on the leaflet) for aesthetic purposes.
But will Is the use of Ozempic to lose weight safe? ? According to experts consulted by CNN Yes, use is safe . In fact, semaglutide (the main component of the medicine) is approved for this purpose by regulatory bodies in the United States and by Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) in Brazil.
“Semaglutide, present in Ozempic, is approved for use in the treatment of obesity. However, in the case of Ozempic, the use is off label, it is not prescribed on the leaflet, but the use of the molecule is approved for weight loss”, says Lorena Lima Amato, endocrinologist with a degree from SBEM (Brazilian Society of Endocrinology).
Semaglutide is a drug from the analogues of the hormone GLP-1 , which acts on the secretion of insulin by the pancreas, which plays an important role in regulating blood glucose. However, semaglutide also helps to promote a greater feeling of satiety, which can help with the weight loss process.
In fact, there is another medicine based on semaglutide that is indicated for the treatment of obesity, Wegovy which was approved by Anvisa in January 2023.
“Both medications are safe for weight loss. The only difference is the pen. The Ozempic pen goes up to 1 mg and the Wegovy pen goes up to 2.4 mg, because studies have shown that semaglutide in a higher dose is more effective for weight loss than a dose of up to 1 mg, as is the case of Ozempic”, explains Elaine Dias JK, PhD in endocrinology from USP and metabologist.
Although safe, use for weight loss carries risks and must be done under medical supervision.
Like all medications, semaglutide-based medicines may have side effects and health risks, especially if used improperly, that is, without prescription and medical supervision. “The main risk is not knowing how to manage the dose, not knowing how to manage these side effects and those related to the medication”, says Amato.
Among the possible side effects of using Ozempic, according to experts, are:
- Nausea;
- Excessive lack of appetite;
- Diarrhea;
- Vomiting;
- Malaise;
- Headache;
- Difficulty eating;
- Dehydration (due to vomiting and diarrhea);
- Gallstones, due to rapid weight loss.
“Both Ozempic and Wegovy must be prescribed by the doctor accompanying the patient so that he can help and guide how to avoid these side effects”, highlights JK.
Furthermore, according to a study done with Ozempic published in 2021, after 68 weeks of medication, 86.4% of participants lost 5% or more of their body weight. Although this is related to weight loss, Losing body weight can also decrease muscle mass and bone density, which can lead to sarcopenia (gradual loss of muscle mass, strength and function).
In addition, if there is no nutritional re-education after weight loss, associated with physical exercise, the famous “concertina effect “. “There is a risk of gaining weight when the use of Ozempic stops, as long as the person does not change their lifestyle habits. So, the right thing to do is to make a change in your lifestyle linked to the use of the medication”, advises JK
“That's why regular medical monitoring is so important, because the specialist will know when to take the medication and how to do it, in addition to guiding other measures associated with sustainable weight loss”, adds Amato.
How does semaglutide work in the body and why does it help you lose weight?
Semaglutide, as it is an analogue of the hormone GLP-1, acts directly on insulin secretion from the pancreas , helping to regulate blood glucose levels. Therefore, it is indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In the case of weight loss, the molecule helps to delay gastric emptying promoting a longer feeling of satiety.
“This decrease in gastric emptying causes food to remain in the stomach for longer and this causes the person to feel full more quickly and it takes longer to feel hungry again”, explains Amato.
Furthermore, the GLP-1 analogue also acts on the central nervous system , in appetite regulation pathways. “The medicine acts in this region of the hypothalamus, reducing hunger and improving satiety. Furthermore, it also acts in the hippocampus region, improving food selection, that is, it makes us prefer healthier foods”, adds JK
To add, in people with obesity, the appetite regulation system may be impaired due to inflammation. “The medicine helps reduce inflammation, improving signaling to the brain to control appetite”, explains Amato.
Source: CNN Brasil
I am an experienced journalist and writer with a career in the news industry. My focus is on covering Top News stories for World Stock Market, where I provide comprehensive analysis and commentary on markets around the world. I have expertise in writing both long-form articles and shorter pieces that deliver timely, relevant updates to readers.
