How much weight do people lose with Ozempic?

While the average weight loss with Ozempic is 14 pounds, it's higher with Wegovy — about 15% of a patient's body weight, Azar said.

today.com - Many turn to diabetes drug Ozempic to lose weight. Is it safe? - TODAY

How much weight loss before I see it in my face?

For a weight change to show up on your face, you'd need to change your BMI by 1.33 points, the study found. That means a woman and man of average...

Last updated Dec 27, 2022

Can dehydration cause weight gain?

Chronic dehydration can lead to a loss in these functions which can result in poor digestion, constipation, lethargy, headaches and migraines, dry...

Last updated Mar 27, 2022

Promotion

Ozempic, a prescription medication to treat Type 2 diabetes, is getting lots of attention for one of its side effects: weight loss. It’s become a sensation on social media, with the topic "Ozempic" garnering over 300 million views on TikTok. Many people who don’t have diabetes are using it off-label — the practice of taking an approved drug for unapproved use — and crediting it for their weight-loss success.

Since Ozempic has gone viral, some doctors have been flooded with inquiries.

“It’s become something very hot and heavy in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills,” said Dr. Nancy Rahnama, an internist and obesity medicine specialist in Beverly Hills, California. That’s creating problems for diabetics who are having a hard time getting the prescriptions they need. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, says increased demand for the drug and supply chain issues have impacted supplies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists the medication as “currently in shortage” on its website. Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide, a medicine for adults with Type 2 diabetes that patients self-inject under their skin. It’s in a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists and works by mimicking a natural hormone the body releases when a person eats food. “It regulates your blood sugar, but it also targets that area in the brain that sends the signal of feeling full or not, so it’s definitely helpful for weight loss,” said NBC News medical contributor Dr. Natalie Azar. Ozempic’s sister drug, Wegovy, which has been approved for weight loss in people with obesity by the FDA, also contains semaglutide, though the injector pens are slightly different and come in different doses. It, too, is listed as “currently in shortage” by the FDA. Novo Nordisk, which also makes Wegovy, has asked doctors to not start new patients on the drug following "unprecedented product demand and short-term manufacturing issues," it noted on its website. The company expects to make all dose strengths of Wegovy available in the U.S. towards the end of the year. While the average weight loss with Ozempic is 14 pounds, it’s higher with Wegovy — about 15% of a patient’s body weight, Azar said. “For people who need this medically-managed weight loss, it’s a wonderful tool in the toolbox. But the shortages are real — partially supply, but how much of this is playing into it?” she wondered.

Are fat burners safe?

Excess intake of fat burners may cause liver damage, fluctuations in blood pressure, anxiety, headaches, heart attack, insomnia, and nausea. If you...

Last updated Mar 8, 2021

What is the best proven weight loss?

One of the best ways to lose body fat is through steady aerobic exercise — such as brisk walking — for at least 30 minutes most days of the week....

Last updated Sep 27, 2018

Promotion

Although Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient, Novo Nordisk says they are not interchangeable. “We do not promote, suggest or encourage off-label use of our medicines,” the company said in a statement. However, the FDA told NBC News that health care professionals can choose to prescribe drugs off-label when “medically appropriate.”

Is it safe?

YouTube user Ana McKenna, who has documented her 45-pound weight loss journey with Ozempic, told TODAY it has been her “easiest weight-loss attempt and my most successful.” But she also agreed it wasn’t a magic pill, noting side effects such as headaches and fatigue. Other side effects of Ozempic include nausea, vomiting, pancreatitis and kidney failure, Azar cautioned. “It can potentially harm you,” she said. Ozempic can cost about $900 dollars a month, according to the drug maker’s website. For off-label use, that usually would not be covered by insurance. The medication has to be taken indefinitely — people have to stay on it for it to keep working, otherwise they can potentially regain the weight they’ve lost or even more, Azar noted. The drug is not necessarily something that can reset a person for life, she added. The big issue is: How are people who don’t have diabetes or obesity getting this drug? Obviously, some people are obtaining prescriptions inappropriately, Azar pointed out. “(Doctors) do prescribe medications off-label, but there has to be shared decision-making and the patient has to understand that potential risks can happen. It’s at the discretion of the provider,” she said.

today.com - Many turn to diabetes drug Ozempic to lose weight. Is it safe? - TODAY

Does a tummy tuck remove fat or just skin?

During a tummy tuck, excess skin and fat are removed from the abdomen. The skin is then draped back over the newly repositioned contours to create...

Last updated Nov 10, 2022

How many eggs can I eat a day?

The American Heart Association recommends up to one egg a day for most people, fewer for people with high blood cholesterol, especially those with...

Last updated Oct 30, 2021

Promotion

What are the benefits of drinking nothing but water?

You'll eat less, since water acts as an appetite suppressant. Water helps your body flush out toxins and eliminate waste products. Water helps...

Last updated Dec 30, 2020

Promotion

What's the quickest thing to lose weight?

Cut back on refined carbs. One way to help lose weight quickly is to cut back on sugars and starches, or carbohydrates. ... Eat protein, fat, and...

Last updated Dec 7, 2022