Ozempic Weight Loss Appetite Suppressant: Control Hunger and Cravings

Ozempic

Ozempic

A little more than two years ago, she got her first injection of Ozempic (a brand name for the drug we also know as Wegovy) from her doctor to control her diabetes. Since then, it has exploded in popularity, with everyone from Elon Musk to Chelsea Handler admitting to taking it.

GLP-1 Agonists

As an insulin-like drug, Ozempic works to control blood sugar by binding with GLP-1 receptors and stimulating insulin release, reducing glucose production, and slowing the speed at which food leaves the stomach. It also reduces the appetite by making you feel full. It has a long half-life, meaning that it keeps working after you eat, helping you stick with your meal plan and maintain a healthy weight.

It’s not the only injection on the market, but it’s become the latest fad, with everyone from Elon Musk to Chelsea Handler raving about its benefits. In fact, these drugs—which are FDA-approved to treat diabetes but also help people lose weight—have been hailed as miracle pills in everything from celebrity news stories to YouTube videos with millions of views.

But despite the many glowing reviews, these medications aren’t for everyone. The high price tags and supply shortages can make it difficult for some patients to get the treatment they need. And some of the side effects, like nausea and reflux, can be too much for some patients to take.

Fortunately, the low-cost generic version of Wegovy—Semaglutide—is available at some pharmacies. However, the FDA warns that this generic medication may not have the same effectiveness or safety as the branded versions of Wegovy and Ozempic.

Wegovy and Ozempic injection are part of a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or incretin mimetics. They were originally developed to help people with type 2 diabetes by controlling their blood sugar. But these medications also cause weight loss by decreasing the amount of food you eat, causing a calorie deficit and forcing your body to burn fat for energy.

The drugs don’t stimulate the brain in the same way as other weight-loss medications, such as phentermine. Instead, they suppress the appetite by mimicking a natural hormone. These drugs are a lifelong commitment, as discontinuing them typically results in weight gain. And for patients who are taking them to control their diabetes, the drug must be taken every week. Otherwise, their blood sugar levels can spike.

GLP-1 Receptors

Originally developed to treat diabetes, Ozempic and similar medications have become so popular as an appetite suppressant that millions of people without diabetes are taking them. Known as GLP-1 agonists, these drugs work by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone. The result is that you feel full and eat less. The drugs also regulate blood sugar and slow down how fast food leaves the stomach. They can help prevent large blood sugar spikes and improve cardiovascular health.

But Ozempic and the other drug to which it’s related, Wegovy, have a surprising side effect: they make food taste disgusting. A study published in Neuropharmacology reveals that the medications cause a physical repugnance to junk foods. The sensation is triggered by the drug’s action on receptors in your brain that control hunger and other bodily functions.

That’s why they’re so effective at curbing cravings. It’s a different approach than the one taken by stimulants, which can cause high blood pressure, jitteriness and heart rate. The gastrointestinal effects of Ozempic and Wegovy are generally mild and improve after a few days or weeks.

The drug’s popularity as a weight loss treatment has drawn criticism from doctors. Some have raised concerns that rapid weight loss can lead to loose skin and sagging facial muscles, as well as the dreaded “Ozempic face,” a term that describes changes in the shape of your face and eyes as you lose a lot of weight quickly. But these changes are not due to the drug per se, which is designed for long-term use and to be used alongside healthy eating habits and exercise.

Others are concerned that Ozempic is being sold at pharmacies unapproved for that purpose and could harm patients. The FDA warns that discontinuing the medication could cause weight regain and a decline in cardiometabolic health. And the maker of the drug, Novo Nordisk, warns that off-brand versions can increase your risk of side effects. The FDA has approved the brand name version of the drug for fast weight loss in adults with a body mass index (or BMI) of 30 or more and who have a medical condition like type 2 diabetes that makes it important to lose weight.

Semaglutide

While GLP-1 medications are most known for their ability to help control blood sugar and lower the risk of diabetes-related complications, they also can reduce hunger. They do this by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 in your body, which naturally decreases appetite and makes you feel full. Ozempic is a popular example of this class of drugs. It’s an injectable drug that’s marketed as a way to help diabetics control their blood sugar, but some patients who take it say it helps them lose weight too.

You’ve probably seen the Ozempic commercials that feature people who use the injection to stabilize their blood sugar and experience a reversal of their diabetes-related health problems, like heart disease or kidney damage. These ads include a catchy soundtrack—an earwormy version of the 1974 single Magic by Scottish rock band Pilot. What you may not realize is that the people in these ads are taking an FDA-approved medication to treat their diabetes, Wegovy (injection). It’s taken weekly in doses ranging from 0.25 milligrams to 2 milligrams and is approved for use in adults with type 2 diabetes who have obesity or other related health issues.

Wegovy and other prescription Weight loss medications such as Victoza and Saxenda work by affecting the signaling between your gut and brain that regulates appetite. They also slow down the passage of food from your stomach to your small intestine, which increases the feeling of satiety and prevents you from eating more than you need.

A double-blind study comparing 72 obese adults who were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide (dose-escalated to 2.4 mg) or placebo found that those on the drug lost more weight and experienced a greater reduction in high-fat food intake than those who took placebo. They also had fewer and less intense food cravings, and scores on the Control of Eating Questionnaire indicating difficulty controlling their appetites were lower in the Wegovy group.

If you’re interested in trying a compounded form of semaglutide, be sure to seek out a licensed pharmacist with a track record of safe and effective treatments. FDA warns against purchasing compounded medications from unlicensed sellers on the internet or through mail-order pharmacies, and notes that they may be using salt forms of the drug instead of the active ingredient.

Appetite Suppressants

Whether they are natural or pharmaceutical, appetite suppressants work best when combined with diet and exercise. In fact, the only way to safely lose weight with them is if you follow your doctor’s advice. Prescription appetite suppressants aren’t for everyone, especially if you have certain medical conditions or a history of addiction. And while you can find over-the-counter appetite suppressants, they are not regulated and may have unwanted side effects or interactions with other medications.

Some people who take appetite suppressants experience a change in the shape of their face, and their cheeks and eyes can appear sunken. This is caused by rapid weight loss, which causes the body to lose fat quickly. This type of weight loss also changes the way your body and brain experience hunger, so you may feel full after eating less.

The FDA recommends short-term use of appetite suppressants, typically 12 weeks or fewer. This is because many of them have the potential to become addictive and can lead to a variety of health problems. In some cases, doctors prescribe appetite suppressants as a last resort for people who have a high risk of developing health issues related to their obesity or who have a BMI higher than 30.

In the UK, phentermine and diethylpropion are two popular prescription appetite suppressants. They are not available on the NHS and can only be bought from a private doctor in a slimming clinic. However, these drugs can have dangerous side effects, which have led to them being banned in the US and some other countries. There is also a black market in the UK for illegal supplements and drugs that claim to suppress appetite.

Natural appetite suppressants include herbs, extracts and ingredients that decrease your desire to eat by affecting the body’s normal functions. These can be found in a variety of foods and drinks, including some that you can purchase over-the-counter.

Most natural appetite suppressants are safe when consumed in their whole food form, says Keller. But when taken as supplements or in concentrated forms, they can be harmful and may interact with other medications or cause unwanted side effects. Talk to your doctor before adding any natural appetite suppressants to your diet, particularly if you have a preexisting health condition Read More.