Are you suffering from type-2 diabetes and want to maintain your blood sugar levels? Find out about it in our Ozempic review.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a brand name that manufactures injections for people suffering from type-2 diabetes mellitus. Ozempic, also called Semaglutide, is similar to a hormone that is naturally found in our body. This hormone maintains our blood sugar, insulin levels, and digestion. Thus, Ozempic performs the same function.

Ozempic is a pre-filled, disposable injection pen that is used together with exercise and diet by people suffering from type-2 diabetes mellitus. It controls the blood sugar levels in these patients.

However, it is a prescription medicine that is to be used by only one patient.

What is Ozempic for?

Ozempic is mainly used for two purposes:

• To improve the blood sugar levels of people suffering from type-2 diabetes mellitus.
• For type-2 diabetes mellitus patients with known heart disease, it reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attack, or death.

Important Safety Information:

This injection pen should not be shared with any other person, even if the needle has been changed. It is disposable and for single-person use only. If you share it with someone, you might give them a serious infection or get a serious infection from them. All the precautions must be followed.

It is not known it Ozempic is suitable for people who have had pancreatitis.

It is not for people suffering from type-1 diabetes mellitus or ketoacidosis. It is not a substitute for insulin.

Also, you should not use Ozempic if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia type-2 (tumors in your gland), or insulin-dependent diabetes.

If you have signs of a thyroid tumor, such as swelling or lump in your neck, hoarse voice, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath.

Ozempic generic:

Ozempic contains the drug semaglutide, which belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists.

It is only available as a brand-name medication and is not available in a generic form.

Clinical Studies on Ozempic:

According to most researches, Ozempic is a safe medicine for people suffering from type-2 diabetes mellitus. However, the effects can vary from person to person.

It can be used alone or with other diabetes medications. According to a clinical study, when Ozempic was used alone, it reduced hemoglobin A1c by 1.4 to 1.6 percent. These results were shown after 30 weeks of treatment. Also, it reduced fasting blood sugar levels by 41 to 44 mg/dL over that time.

In what form Ozempic is available?

Ozempic is only available in the form of a pen that is used as an injection. You can also self-inject the medication. Ozempic is available in two different forms. Both the pens contain 2mg of drug semaglutide in 1.5 mL of solution. Although containing the same amount, both pens are designed to give different doses.

Ozempic is not yet available in the form of a pill or capsule. However, clinical trials are being carried out to check the effectiveness of Ozempic in the form of pills.

How Ozempic works?

In people with type-2 diabetes, Ozempic helps to increase blood sugar levels. This is done by reducing the amount of glucose in the body.

How insulin affects blood sugar?

Our body releases insulin when we eat food, which helps to transport glucose from the blood into the body cells. This glucose is then converted into energy by our cells.

People suffering from type-2 diabetes mellitus develop insulin resistance. It means that their body does not respond to insulin the way it should. Also, they may stop producing enough insulin over time.

When our body does not respond to insulin the way it should, it doesn’t produce enough insulin, which can be a cause of many serious problems.

The body cells will not get the required amount of glucose to produce energy. Often, too much glucose is provided, which leads to a condition called hyperglycemia. Having too much glucose can also damage the body organs, including the eyes, heart, kidneys, and nerves.

What Ozempic does?

Ozempic works by increasing the amount of insulin made by the body when the blood sugar levels are high. The increased insulin will carry more glucose to your body cells, causing your blood sugar levels to go down.

It also decreases blood sugar levels in other ways. For example, it blocks a chemical in the body that causes the liver to make glucose. It also makes food move out from the stomach slowly. This means that your body will absorb glucose more slowly, preventing your blood sugar levels from getting too high.

How long does it take to work?

Ozempic will start to work right after you inject it. But when you first start its use, it can take several weeks for the effects to build up.

So, you will feel the full effects after four to five weeks of your first injection. After this time, you will have the ideal amount of Ozempic in your body all the time to help manage your blood glucose levels.

Ozempic Dosage:

You have to use Ozempic injection pens exactly as prescribed by your doctor. In the beginning, your doctor will prescribe you the smallest dosage and then increase it gradually with time so you can get used to the medication. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Carefully follow all the instructions and read all the medication guides to prevent any mishap.

Ozempic injection is injected under the skin. A healthcare provider will teach you how to use it so you can inject it yourself carefully.

Each Ozempic pen comes with several needles. You can use one pen several times, but you will have to discard the needle after every use. A new needle should be used each time for safety purposes. Also, never share your needle or pen with any other person.

To avoid any side effects, you have to read and follow the instructions of use carefully. If you see particles inside the medicine or it looks cloudy, call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Your doctor will provide the dosage of Ozempic according to your condition. It is usually given once a week at any time of the day. It can be given with or without a meal.

For type-2 diabetes, your doctor will recommend you to take 0.25 mg once a week for four weeks. After that, he will increase the dosage to 0.5 mg once a week for four weeks.

Your healthcare provider will tell you where you have to inject the medicine. It is better to use a different place each time for injecting. Do not inject in the same place two times in a row. If your doctor prescribes it for your condition, we are offering you a discount coupon for our readers from BuzzRX.

Do I have to use Ozempic for long-term?

Yes, as this drug is given only once a week, you will have to use it for long-term to treat type-2 diabetes mellitus.

What will happen if I miss a dose?

For timely results, it is better to take the dose on time. However, if you miss a dose, you should take it as soon as you remember, unless it is within five days of the date of the missed dose. Then, take the next dose on its regular schedule.

If you were too late to remember and the date of the next dose is only one or two days away, don’t take the missed dose. Instead, take the next dose on the scheduled date.

What if I overdose?

If Ozempic is overdosed, immediately seek medical guidance or call your doctor. If the symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Ozempic side effects:

Ozempic can cause serious or minor side effects. The effects will vary from person to person. To avoid any serious side effects, do consider the safety information mentioned above.

Minor side effects:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Flatulence
• Headache
• Stomach pain

These side effects are minor and are not long-term. They will go away in a few days or a couple of weeks. If these side effects are not going away, consult your doctor.

Severe side effects:

The serious side effects of Ozempic are not common, but they can occur. The symptoms will vary from person to person. If you are facing any of these serious side effects, immediately call your doctor or the emergency.

The serious side effects and their symptoms include the following:

Thyroid cancer:

Its symptoms include:

• A mass or lump in your neck
• Difficulty in breathing
• Trouble swallowing
• A hoarse voice

Hypoglycemia:

Hypoglycemia is caused by low blood sugar. Its symptoms are:

• Weakness
• Confusion
• Hunger
• Jitteriness
• Irritability
• Drowsiness
• Fast heartbeat
• Sweating

Pancreatitis:

It is the inflammation of the pancreas. Its symptoms include:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Unintended weight loss
• Swollen belly
• Fever
• Pain in your back and belly

Kidney damage:

Its symptoms are:

• Swelling in the legs or ankles
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Reduced urination

Diabetic retinopathy:

It is diabetes-related eye-problem. Its symptoms include:

• Vision loss
• Blurred vision
• Poor night vision
• Seeing dark spots

Severe allergic reactions:

The allergic reactions might not be severe in the beginning but can become so if not treated timely. Its symptoms are:

• Flushing (redness and warmth in your face and neck)
• Breathing difficulty
• Itchy skin
• Rashes
• Swelling of throat, mouth, and tongue

What other drugs will affect Ozempic?

As Ozempic can slow down your digestion, the other medicines you are taking orally might not be properly absorbed by your body.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines, especially oral diabetes medicine and insulin. Other drugs may also interact with semaglutide. They include prescription or over-the-counter medicines, herbal products, and medicines. However, not all possible drug interactions are not listed in this list.

Conclusion:

Ozempic is a prescription drug that contains semaglutide. It is available in the form of pens and is injected into the body. Your doctor will prescribe you the dosage. However, it is injected once a week. Ozempic is also FDA approved for treating type-2 diabetes mellitus. However, it is not DFA-approved for treating type-1 diabetes as it is a non-insulin drug.

Every drug will have side effects. Ozempic has some common side effects, while severe ones are less common. The good thing about Ozemic is that it is used along with a proper diet and exercise. It is to be used with proper care and precautions. Never share your pen with any other persons as it can transmit serious diseases. Also, use a new needle every time you inject the pen.