## What is Ozempic? Ozempic (the active ingredient is semaglutide) was created to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 [diabetes](https://ul.orna.me/KOge/librarydisease?id=43). It is an injectable medication that should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. Ozempic mimics glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), a hormone released from the digestive tract. It affects weight through two key mechanisms: – Affects hunger centers in the brain, reducing appetite – Slows the rate of gastric emptying, effectively prolonging the feeling of satiety after a meal ## How much weight can you lose on Ozempic? Theoretically, you can lose up to 15 % of your weight during a course of taking Ozempic. In practice, everything depends on the initial weight: the higher it is, the better the result. However, as soon as five weeks after the last injection the effect of the drug ends, the appetite returns, and weight gain can occur. According to the FDA, most people regain their previous weight within a few months. ## Side effects The accumulated experience of using Ozempic as a means of losing weight suggests that the drug has quite a few side effects. The most common ones include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, increased gas, heartburn, burping, headache, and fatigue. Ozempic can also trigger pancreatitis, vision problems, hypoglycemia, allergic reactions, palpitations, thyroid tumors, and other health problems. >>> In 2023, Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, a dermatologist in New York City, coined the term "Ozempic face" when he told the Today show that he sees a lot of people in the clinic with characteristic signs of Ozempic use. Faces change and become similar as facial fat disappears during the weight loss process, resulting in sagging skin, more wrinkles, and "heaviness" around the eyes, temples, chin, and mouth. ## Who should take Ozempic? Ozempic is FDA-approved only for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It may also be recommended by doctors in cases of extreme obesity. If you only need to lose five pounds, you should not risk your health by taking Ozempic. It is better to start eating right and lead an active lifestyle. >>>> Ozempic is strictly prohibited for those with pancreatitis, type 1 diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, problems with the pancreas or kidneys, and diseases of the endocrine system or thyroid gland. It is also contraindicated in persons under 18 years of age and pregnant or breastfeeding women.