Starting a new medication can be exciting, especially when it comes to something like Ozempic, which can help you achieve your weight-loss goals. But it's also natural to have doubts about potential side effects. Alexander Shapsis, has compiled this weekly guide to help you understand what to expect when starting with Ozempic. Some research suggests that you could lose 2 to 4% of your body weight in the first six weeks with Ozempic, but results will vary depending on factors such as dosage, starting weight, general health, and other factors.
Ozempic is injected once a week. Therefore, about a week after you stop taking the medication, you will begin to notice that you may return to hunger and cravings. You may not feel as satisfied for that long. You should continue to follow up with your healthcare provider every few weeks so they can monitor your progress, help mitigate side effects, and address any questions or concerns you may have. In the first few weeks, you may notice some weight loss, but your body may need time to adapt to the medication before seeing more dramatic results.
However, the full effects may take 8 weeks or longer, as this is a long-acting medication that is injected only once a week. Here's a general idea of what to expect during the first few weeks of treatment with Ozempic, along with some tips for managing the most common side effects and maximizing treatment. During the first six weeks of taking Ozempic, you may notice that you have lost some weight, although results will vary depending on factors that are unique to you. Ozempic also acts on an area of the brain responsible for appetite, so it can suppress appetite within days or weeks of starting treatment.
Most patients will start treatment with Ozempic with the lowest dose of 0.25 mg injected once a week for 4 weeks. Research on semaglutide suggests that weight loss progress can continue for more than 60 weeks (just over a year). In a 56-week study comparing semaglutide with sitagliptin, Ozempic reduced the mean baseline A1C from 8% to 7% in the eighth week of the study. In the same main study on semaglutide, participants lost 15% of their body weight in just over a year (68 weeks).
Although stable levels are achieved within 4 to 5 weeks, the clinical efficacy of Ozempic will vary from person to person and may take longer due to unique factors, such as age, weight, amount of body fluid, additional medications you are taking, kidney or liver function, or other medical conditions. Injecting 0.5 mg and 1 mg of Ozempic per week significantly reduced A1C levels in all studies that lasted between 30 and 56 weeks. Each pen contains 4 maintenance doses of 0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg of medication given once a week and will last a month. Instead, gradually incorporate these tips into your daily routine, perhaps starting with one or two new changes and adding a subsequent change each week for the first six weeks.
