Introduction
Ozempic, Wegovy, who hasn’t heard of these semaglutide brands? We’re talking about some of the most popular weight loss drugs out in the market, which celebrities prefer.
More and more celebrities have spoken about taking Ozempic, from comedian Chelsea Handler, British personality Sharon Osbourne, to Elon Musk.
And while they’ve become popular, many people still aren’t familiar with their active ingredient, semaglutide, and its third variant, Rybelsus. If you’re new to semaglutide, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we cover semaglutide brands Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus in detail, from their dosages, administration, safety, efficacy, to their therapeutic benefits.
What is semaglutide?
There’s a hormone in our gut, particularly in the lower gastrointestinal tract, called GLP-1. Whenever we finish eating, GLP-1 triggers the pancreas to secrete insulin, a hormone which reduces glucose in our bloodstream. GLP-1 also helps sweep glucose into the body’s cells, which it will either utilize or store as future energy.
Experts classify semaglutide as a drug called a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, or a GLP-1 Ra. People use it to either treat type 2 diabetes or obesity. Basically, semaglutide acts like a doppelganger of GLP-1, copying the same actions such as triggering insulin secretion and glucose movement.
Semaglutide FDA Approval: A background
Danish pharmaceutical manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, invented and developed semaglutide in 2012.
In 2017, the US FDA approved Ozempic, while semaglutide’s other anti-diabetes brand, Rybelsus, received FDA approval in 2019. Wegovy, meanwhile, semaglutide’s weight loss drug, got FDA green light in 2021.
Safety and efficacy of semaglutide
A June 2023 study in Frontiers in Endocrinology examined the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous semaglutide with varying dosages. In addition, the researchers also looked at its efficacy and safetywith and without lifestyle interventions.
They found that the group without lifestyle interventions had a higher incidence of hypoglycemia than the group with lifestyle interventions. Semaglutide injections also had notable benefits on weight loss as well as on heart health.
Scientists have found that Wegovy helps reduce markers of heart disease, from high cholesterol, high blood sugar levels, to hypertension.
Rybelsus, on the other hand, effectively lowers blood sugar levels in adults suffering from type 2 diabetes.
A growing body of research illustrates the benefits of taking semaglutide for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Moreover, studies show that it potentially has a positive impact on other health conditions.
Obesity
A study in the journal Cureus looked at the efficacy of semaglutide in treating people who were overweight. 40 percent of participants— those taking semaglutide once weekly—lost at least 15 percent of their body weight over 68 weeks. Those in the placebo group, meanwhile, lost significantly less weight.
Type 2 diabetes
Another study in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Technology investigated the effectiveness and safety of semaglutide in treating type 2 diabetes. Some of the participants took semaglutide, while others took other diabetes medications. The study’s results showed that semaglutide was able to lower blood sugar levels more successfully than other diabetes drugs.
Cardiovascular problems
Clinical studies show that apart from type 2 diabetes, Ozempic also helps reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular problems. This includes the likes ofheart attack, stroke, or death.
Side effects
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 which occur for 1 to 10% of cases include indigestion, belching, gassiness, gastroenteritis, or gastritis. Gastroenteritis is the short-term infection and inflammation of the digestive system, while gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining.
Note that these side effects are mild and you can manage these with the help of your healthcare provider. Semaglutide’s more serious adverse effects, meanwhile, are rare.
Getting to know semaglutide brand Ozempic
Now that we have an overview of semaglutide, let’s zoom in on its brands. First up, Ozempic.
Ozempic is the name of semaglutide’s brand that treats type 2 diabetes. You administer it subcutaneously, meaning you inject it under the skin. Because subcutaneous tissue has just a few blood vessels, the drug spreads and the body absorbs it very slowly.
Although the US FDA has approved Ozempic for type 2 diabetes, healthcare providers often prescribe it off-label for weight loss. It is probably the most popular semaglutide brand which many celebrities use.
Dosages
Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable medication that comes in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg doses. You can inject it in three sites: your 1) abdomen, 2) thigh, or 3) upper arm.
For the abdomen, aim for two inches from the belly button. Meanwhile, for the thigh, choose the front of the thigh and avoid the inner thigh. For the upper arm, go for the area between the shoulder and the elbow. Your doctor will start you off on small doses, gradually increasing this until you reach a maintenance dose.
Because the stomach has a large surface area and is easily accessible, its subcutaneous fat makes semaglutide easier to absorb. The thigh, meanwhile, is also good because it has an ample layer of subcutaneous fat. For those who want a more subtle injection mark, they can administer semaglutide in the back of the upper arm.
Administration
If you’re new to using Ozempic, you may be nervous about having to inject yourself with the medication. But as long as you follow the instructions, you should be fine.
Your healthcare provider should be able to demonstrate how to properly administer Ozempic and address any questions you may have.
Prepping the pen: Before administering, check that the product (visible in the pen through a window) is clear and colorless, and not cloudy. Air bubbles are completely normal and are not a cause of concern.
Injecting Ozempic: Make sure that you are not injecting into a muscle or vein. It is best to use a different injection site with every injection. However, if you want to use the same injection site, pick a different spot in that area.
Hold the Ozempic dosing pen’s syringe at a 90-degree angle to the skin before injecting the drug. Hold the pen for a few seconds before removing the needle.
You can take semaglutide injections with or without meals at any time of the day. For best results, Novo Nordisk notes that people must take semaglutide with diet and exercise.
Zooming in on Wegovy
Wegovy is semaglutide’s weight loss drug, available with a prescription. You must administer it once weekly, on the same day weekly, at any time, with or without meals.
Dosages
Like Ozempic, it comes in an injectable pen format, but in five various dose strengths. Specifically, these are from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg. The different doses come in different colored pens. Just like Ozempic, you will start off with low doses until you reach a maintenance dose.
Administration
Similar to Ozempic, you must administer Wegovy in the same injection sites. Follow the same steps for injecting the medicine.
Rybelsus: What you need to know
Rybelsus, a first-line option improving glycemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes, in addition to diet and exercise.
Dosage
Rybelsus is semaglutide’s only brand that can be taken orally.
According to its medication guide, patients should start with 3 mg once daily for the first 30 days. This is to give the body a chance to get accustomed to it. Note that during this period, it won’t be effective for glycemic control yet.
After finishing all 3 mg tablets, healthcare providers may prescribe them Rybelsus’ 7 mg tablets. This dosage—which you must also administer once daily—reduces glycemic levels.
Should you need to lower your blood sugar levels further, your dosage may increase to 14 mg once daily.
Administration
It’s important that patients take Rybelsus properly each time. Here are the step-by-step instructions on administering it.
- Rybelsus should be taken on an empty stomach when you first wake up. By empty stomach, this means no food, no drink, no oral medications, no vitamins, and no supplements.
- Next, you should drink Rybelsus with no more than a sip of plain water, no more than four ounces. You must swallow the tablet whole. Do not cut, crush, or chew it.
- After taking Rybelsus, you can eat, drink, or take other oral medications, vitamins, or supplements after 30 minutes. Should you miss a dose, take the next dose the following day.
Make sure to inform your healthcare provider if your blood sugar levels are too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia).
Proper storage
To maintain the efficacy of Rybelsus, you should not transfer the tablets to pill organizers. Instead, keep them in their original bottles with the blue cap. Make sure to shut the blue cap tight each time.
Semaglutide supply issues
Towards the end of 2023, there was a major shortage in Wegovy and Ozempic amid the clamor for the drugs. It is likely that the shortage problem will persist for several more years.
On its website, Novo Nordisk admitted that they experienced a “short-term stock-out” of Wegovy in the US through December. This was due to the demand that surpassed their supply capacities.
What’s next for semaglutide
In 2023, six obesity clinical trials will reach completion. These studies aim to support the development of not just GLP-1 drugs but also other active ingredients. These include monoacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (MGAT2) inhibitors and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors.
Conclusion
As popular as Ozempic and Wegovy may be, not everyone may be familiar with their active ingredient, semaglutide. Semaglutide also has a third brand, Rybelsus.
Both Ozempic and Rybelsus have FDA approval for type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy has FDA approval for obesity. Despite this, healthcare providers still often prescribe Ozempic off-label for its weight loss effects.
Proper dosage and administration, along with a healthy diet and exercise, are key to achieving best results. Ozempic and Wegovy are once-weekly prescription drugs administered under the skin. On the other hand, Rybelsus is a once-daily prescription drug that you should administer orally.
As with any drug, semaglutide comes with potential risks and side effects, commonly mild and gastrointestinal in nature. These include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Serious side effects are rare.
As with any medication, consult your healthcare provider as you incorporate semaglutide in your treatment plan.
2024 will be an exciting year in the field of anti-obesity medication sa six clinical trials will reach completion.
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