Introduction
It’s safe to say that Ozempic was a trending topic in 2023, and it’s likely to stay viral for a while longer. The semaglutide drug is taking the world by storm with its weight loss effects. Even celebs are singing their praises for the medication.
Despite Ozempic’s sister brand Wegovy having FDA approval for weight management, it’s no surprise that healthcare providers are prescribing Ozempic. It contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide.
If you’ve thought of taking Ozempic or Wegovy, you might wonder how much weight you can lose on them. In this article, we share real outcomes from studies to give you a better idea.
What is semaglutide?
We’ve mentioned that Ozempic and Wegovy share the same active ingredient, semaglutide. Ozempic and its sister brand, Rybelsus, treat type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy treats obesity.
It’s important to understand how these three brands work to help people lose weight. What is semaglutide and how does it work?
Semaglutide as a GLP-1 Ra
Whenever we finish eating, there’s a hormone in our gut, GLP-1, which triggers insulin release to decrease blood sugar levels. Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, mimics the actions of GLP-1, reducing high blood sugar levels.
Another effect of the drug is that it delays gastric emptying, causing you to feel fuller for longer. As a result, you don’t feel like eating as much, have fewer cravings, and you end up losing weight.
Eligibility
First things first: Are you eligible to take semaglutide? Note that it’s not for everyone. You have to meet specific diagnostic criteria, which you can find out with the help of your healthcare provider.
In the case of Wegovy, you must have either a BMI of 27 or greater with one weight-related health condition. You can also take Wegovy if you have a BMI of 30 or greater.
If you wish to take Ozempic or Rybelsus, meanwhile, you’ll need to have type 2 diabetes. In some cases, doctors may prescribe Ozempic for those with either type 2 diabetes or heart disease. This is because it has additional approval for lowering the risk of cardiovascular problems. Doctors may also prescribe it for those dealing with insulin resistance.
How do you take semaglutide?
Proper dosage, administration, and storage are key to ensure semaglutide’s efficacy. It’s important to remember it can only work at its best if you have a nutritious diet and ample exercise.
You administer both Ozempic and Wegovy subcutaneously, meaning injecting under the skin, whereas for Rybelsus, you take it orally. Your healthcare provider will typically start you on low doses, gradually transitioning you to a higher maintenance dose.
Safety and efficacy
If you’re planning to take semaglutide, it is also important to know what studies have to show about its efficacy. Also, what potential risks or side effects can you experience with it?
Just how effective is semaglutide in helping people lose weight?
In the STEP 5 trial, researchers looked at semaglutide’s two-year effects in adults who were overweight or with obesity. Participants lost an average of 15 percent of their body weight with semaglutide. Meanwhile, those in the placebo group just lost around 2.6 percent of their body weight.
Semaglutide caused greater reductions in waistline circumference and in systolic blood pressure. Versus the placebo group, semaglutide users also experienced better diastolic blood pressure, blood sugar levels, total cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Another study discovered semaglutide users lost more body fat than body mass and ate less due to a weaker appetite. In addition, they had better control of eating, less food cravings, and a lower desire for fatty foods.
Side effects
While you’re on semaglutide, be aware that you may face potential side effects as your body gets used to the drug. Thankfully, semaglutide’s common side effects are generally mild and manageable.
- Gastrointestinal reactions account for 10% or more of semaglutide’s side effects. These include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain.
- Other common side effects of semaglutide which occur for 1 to 10% of cases include indigestion, belching, gassiness, gastroenteritis, or gastritis. Gastroenteritis is a short-term infection and inflammation of the digestive system, while gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining.
- Serious side effects of semaglutide include allergic reactions, hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, kidney problems, and thyroid C-cell tumors. Note, however, that these are rare.
How much weight can you lose with semaglutide?
It’s crucial to remember that not everyone will respond to semaglutide in the same way. However, studies with large sample sizes indicate what you can expect, provided you possess common medical traits as the participants.
In semaglutide’s largest clinical trial, adult participants lost almost 15 percent of their body weight—about 12 percent more than non-users. Adolescents, meanwhile, lost an average of 16 percent of their body weight.
In another study involving 175 patients, participants lost 6.7 percent of their body weight after three months on semaglutide. Six months into the study, 89 out of the remaining 102 participants lost an additional five percent of body weight. Results suggest participants lost more weight when they had weekly 1.7-mg and 2.4-mg doses of semaglutide.
In a 68-week study, half of obese semaglutide users on a diet/exercise program lost 15 percent of body weight. Meanwhile, almost a third lost 20 percent of their body weight. You can lose 15 to 20 percent of your body weight while taking semaglutide and observing a healthy lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to lose weight on semaglutide?
On average, it takes around four weeks on semaglutide to see some weight loss. However, the full effect can take some more time.
Despite these studies, results will vary from person to person as this can be affected by a variety of factors. These include factors such as your genetic makeup, medical history, diet, and amount of physical activity.
Why am I still hungry on semaglutide?
It may be because your body is still adjusting to the medication. As mentioned, it can take a few weeks before the drug takes full effect.
Why haven’t I lost weight on semaglutide?
It could be because you’re still on a low starting dose. Your doctor will gradually increase your dosage until you reach a maintenance dose. This whole process could take up to three months.
Other possible reasons are that the food you eat interacts with semaglutide or you lack physical activity.
Does semaglutide get rid of belly fat?
It’s likely. In a study, participants’ visceral fat (belly fat) and overall fat mass were reduced with the use of semaglutide.
How long can you be on semaglutide?
It may be too early to tell just how long you can keep taking semaglutide as the data for this is still limited. Stil, some experts think it is best kept as a long-term medication if a patient is responsive to it.
Currently, there are no restrictions as to the duration of treatment with semaglutide such as Ozempic.
How can I get the best results on semaglutide?
Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus are also designed as a supplement to a nutritious diet and ample physical activity. Without proper food choices or a sedentary lifestyle, it is not realistic to expect optimum results from semaglutide.
You might want to enlist expert advice to develop a meal plan most suitable for your goals. Apart from food selection, they will also recommend the best portions for your specific nutritional goals.
In general, the following foods are recommended for those on semaglutide:
- Lean proteins: Beans, chicken, eggs, fish, low-fat turkey, soy
- Fruits and vegetables: Those high in antioxidants (broccoli, spinach, carrots), dietary fiber (pears, strawberries, avocados), minerals, and vitamins (citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables).
- Healthy fats: Chia seeds, dark chocolate, avocados, nuts
- Whole grains: Brown rice, corn, hulled barley, millet, sweet potato, whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat tortillas, and whole-rye
The following, meanwhile, are foods to avoid as they may contribute to spikes in blood sugar levels and gastrointestinal discomfort:
- Sugary foods and drinks (sweets, soda, juice drinks)
- Refined carbohydrates (cereals, white rice, white pasta, sports drinks, pizza)
- Processed foods (canned meat and vegetables, baked pastries, microwave meals)
- Alcohol
- Fatty foods and greasy foods (French fries, burgers, chips, donuts)
- Dairy (milk, cheese, butter, whey products)
What happens if you don’t eat on semaglutide?
One of the common effects of semaglutide use is a curbed appetite, which may make people not want to hydrate. This leads to worsened nausea, fatigue, dizziness, constipation, or even acute kidney injury. To prevent this, try to drink at least 64 ounces of water a day.
How can I keep the weight off after I stop taking semaglutide?
For many people who have stopped taking semaglutide, they have regained weight as well as their appetites and cravings. However, this shouldn’t discourage you from the possibility of eventually no longer being dependent on semaglutide.
A Good Morning America report revealed a woman kept the weight off two months after losing 90 pounds on semaglutide. Teresa Shepherd, who lives in Florida, shared that she credits her success to working out multiple times a week.
“You have to be mindful of staying with what you’ve done, and not slipping back in old habits for sure.”
Conclusion
Semaglutide is transforming the lives of those who wish to lose weight, especially those with type 2 diabetes or obesity.
Studies have shown that people can lose as much as 15 to 20 percent of their body weight while on semaglutide. It’s important to remember, though, that no amount of semaglutide can work at its best without a nutritious diet and ample exercise.
Every person will also react to semaglutide differently. Factors such as medical history, other current medications, and genetic makeup can affect how the body responds to semaglutide.
More than focusing on the number of pounds lost, focus on other health markers, such as better blood sugar levels. Work with your healthcare provider to monitor your progress.
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