Introduction
There’s no doubt about it, semaglutide may very well be the wonder drug of the decade. The wildly popular Ozempic has been a buzzword among ordinary people, Hollywood celebrities, and even business tycoons. It not only lowers blood sugar levels but also promotes weight loss. It’s no wonder demand is so high because it has effectively helped thousands of people achieve a slimmer figure.
As effective as it may be, some people may be concerned about its potential effects on the body. You might wonder, does semaglutide lower blood pressure?
In this article, we look at semaglutide’s adverse effects and how these may share a link with blood pressure risks.
Semaglutide: An overview
You may already know about Ozempic, but have you heard of its sister semaglutide brands, Wegovy and Rybelsus? Ozempic and Rybelsus both have FDA approval to treat type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy has FDA approval to treat obesity.
Despite their different uses, they’re all semaglutide and can regulate blood sugar levels as well as trigger weight loss. This is why many doctors choose to prescribe Ozempic and Rybelsus off-label for weight management.
In the following section, we’ll talk about how semaglutide has these therapeutic benefits, and how it works.
What is semaglutide?
Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 Ras for short. Whenever we finish eating and blood glucose is elevated, semaglutide works like GLP-1. Specifically, it triggers the pancreas to secrete the hormone insulin to bring blood sugar levels down.
Another effect is that it delays gastric emptying or digestion, so you tend to feel fuller for longer. Because of this, they have a weak appetite and have fewer food cravings. As a result, people taking the drug tend to lose a significant amount of weight.
Administration of semaglutide
We’ve spoken about Ozempic’s fellow semaglutide brands, Wegovy and Rybelsus. Apart from their different uses, they also have varying formats.
For instance, both Ozempic and Wegovy are subcutaneous semaglutides, as they come in pens and you inject them under the skin. Meanwhile, you call Rybelsus oral semaglutide as it comes in tablet form and is taken by mouth.
Your healthcare provider will typically start you off on a low dose, gradually increasing this until a maintenance dose. By this time, the idea is that your body adjusts to semaglutide.
As for the frequency of use, you must administer Ozempic and Wegovy once weekly regardless of meals. On the other hand, you must take Rybelsus on an empty stomach once daily.
Safety and efficacy of semaglutide
As Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus all have FDA approval, these safe, effective, and tolerable. The following are highlights from relevant research.
In the STEP 5 trial, researchers examined the two-year effects of semaglutide in overweight or obese adults. Participants lost an average of 15 percent of their body weight with semaglutide. Meanwhile, those in the placebo group lost around 2.6 percent of their body weight.
A December 2022 study, meanwhile, showed that participants taking semaglutide lost more body fat than body mass. In addition, they ate less due to a weaker appetite and had fewer food cravings, especially for oily foods.
Side effects
Does semaglutide lower your blood pressure? Here’s a look at the drug’s most common side effects.
Note that these common side effects are generally mild and you can manage these with the help of your healthcare provider. Semaglutide’s more serious adverse effects, meanwhile, are rare.
Common side effects include:
- nausea (up to 44% of cases),
- diarrhea (up to 30%),
- vomiting (up to 24%),
- constipation (up to 24%),
- abdominal pain (up to 20%),
Other common side effects occuring in 1 to 10% of cases include indigestion, belching, gassiness, gastroenteritis, gastritis, fatigue, and dizziness. Gastroenteritis is short-term infection and inflammation of the digestive system, while gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining.
Eligibility
For you to receive a prescription and be able to take semaglutide, you’ll first need to meet certain diagnostic criteria.
For Ozempic and Rybelsus, for example, you need to have type 2 diabetes. Sometimes, doctors prescribe these to heart disease patients as they have the additional approval for lowering the risk of cardiovascular problems. Doctors may also prescribe these for those dealing with insulin resistance.
For Wegovy, meanwhile, you need to have a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or greater. In addition, you must have one weight-related health condition (ex: high blood pressure) or a BMI of 30 or greater.
Does semaglutide lower blood pressure?
Yes, it appears that semaglutide lowers blood pressure, as a result of lower blood sugar and BMI. Evidence also shows Ozempic’s efficacy at lowering the risk of heart problems in type 2 diabetes and heart disease patients.
A 2023 study reviewed different semaglutide trials and if in these the blood pressure was reduced in participants without diabetes.
The researchers found that semaglutide significantly reduced the blood pressure of participants. This indicates that people with obesity and erratic blood pressure may benefit from a hypertension treatment that focuses on weight.
In diabetic patients, on the other hand, GLP-1 Ras like semaglutide was also associated with reductions in blood pressure.
Across these studies, there appears to be a correlation between weight loss and improved blood pressure. The more weight a person lost on semaglutide, the better his blood pressure was. This supports the idea that weight loss can enhance metabolic function and blood pressure, and reduce strain on the heart. It can also make heart tissue and blood vessel walls thinner, making it easier for the heart to pump blood.
More than just blood pressure
New research shows that semaglutide had an overall positive impact on the cardiovascular health of obese/overweight patients with heart problems. Specifically, it helped in reducing heart symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling. The study involved 500 participants in 13 countries who received semaglutide injections every week. Apart from the improvement in the heart symptoms, they also saw improvements in participants’ physical abilities.
Researchers have also found that obese or overweight patients may have a better quality of life through semaglutide use. It led to an average weight loss of 14.9%, with lower cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol.
Researchers estimated that if 93 million obese/overweight Americans took semaglutide, there would be 43 million fewer people with obesity. Additionally, in 10 years, it could prevent 1.5 million heart attacks and strokes.
Weight loss drugs and blood pressure
Apart from semaglutide, weight loss drugs like tirzepatide and liraglutide help reduce total cholesterol. This was in addition to blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol.
According to seven trials, once-weekly tirzepatide injections resulted in significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and lipid profiles. This was regardless of dosage.
Liraglutide, meanwhile, was linked to lower blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes.
While studies have compared GLP-1 Ras’ efficacy, data is still limited on GLP-1 on their efficacy in reducing blood pressure and other health markers.
Semaglutide with blood pressure medication
Your blood pressure medication, along with other drugs like thyroid medications, may interact with your semaglutide prescription. Hence, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider if it’s safe to continue taking both medicines.
Conclusion
Studies have found that semaglutide lowers blood pressure and improves heart problem symptoms as well as markers of cardiovascular health.
Weight loss seems to be correlated to improved heart health, as obesity forces the heart to work harder.
If you feel you can benefit from semaglutide use, speak to your doctor.
Glossary of terms:
- GLP-1: Glucagon-like peptide-1 is a gut-based hormone involved in the secretion of insulin to lower blood sugar levels typically elevated after meals.
- GLP-1 Ra: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists mimic GLP-1 in the production of insulin to control blood sugar levels.
