Let’s talk about Ozempic.
Let’s talk about Ozempic, the new medication that everyone is talking about for weight loss and diabetes.
What is it?
Semaglutide is the generic name for Ozempic and Wegovy and is a GLP1 agonist. GLP stands for glucagon like peptide and is a hormone in the body that regulates a number of things including how full we feel after a meal and for how long (satiety), how other hormones are secreted (such as insulin or glucagon) and how much glucose some of organs take up or release.
How does it work?
GLP1 in our bodies is broken down very quickly (by another enzyme called DPP or dipeptidyl peptidase4), especially when ingested! Semaglutide and the other GLP1 agonists are formulated to stick around longer, therefore increasing the feeling of fullness and regulating other hormones. Ozempic (Semaglutide) is the synthetic version of Glucagon-like peptide 1 or GLP-1 that has been modified so that it is less likely to be broken down and therefore has a longer duration of action. It is administered via injection once weekly.
Who can use it?
Individuals with a diagnosis of diabetes or pre-diabetes, individuals with obesity with a BMI greater than 30, or overweight individuals with a BMI of 27 and other medical conditions such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. It can also be used off label in other weight related conditions. Not sure if you qualify? Talk to your doctor or make a free 15 minute consultation with our office.
Who can’t or shouldn’t use it?
Individuals with pancreatitis, medullary thyroid carcinoma or who are at risk for MEN2, and/or have family history of medullary cell carcinoma of the thyroid or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 (MEN 2). Not sure if this is you? Talk to your doctor or make a free 15 minute consultation with our office.
Why is it a diabetes drug and also a weight loss drug?
GLP-1 has many actions in our bodies including glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (which helps regulate our blood sugar), enhancement of β-cell growth and survival (which is what secretes insulin), and inhibition of glucagon release (which tells our body to release more glucose if needed), gastric emptying, and feeling full after eating.
How do I know if I qualify?
Talk to your doctor or make a free 15 minute consultation with our office.
Wait, didn’t some people in some studies gain weight back?
In the Step 1 Trial Extension, individuals who stopped both semaglutide and the lifestyle interventions gained 60% of the weight back (even though they weighed less overall from the starting point) after 2 years. This is important when considering starting a new medication and weight management program. Semaglutide is a (very effective) tool that we use in addition to other interventions. At I.M. Well Medical, our total transformation program uses the expertise of a personal trainer, medications, and sustainable lifestyle interventions that are customized to your life for the greatest success. This includes looking at stress, food, movement, joy, habits, and other threads that impact the fabric of who you are.
Personally - I have seen the incredible effects of the GLP1 agonists in individuals who thought that their struggles with weight and weight associated diseases were a moral failing rather than a genetic or physiologic predisposition. These medications can be a great tool in helping people live the life they want. Given it’s powerful feeling of satiety, it can often take the focus off of food so that you can build a effective routine around exercise, stress, movement which can make all the difference.
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