If you're exploring Ozempic as a potential treatment option, you probably have questions about the medication and how it works. We've got you covered with the details you need to know.
Ozempic is an injectable drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, while its counterpart Wegovy (which is approved by Health Canada, but not yet being distributed) is used for long-term weight management. Both use the same semaglutide compound.
Ozempic helps the body better regulate blood sugar levels. It does this by mimicking natural hormones secreted from the pancreas that control blood sugar production. Ozempic also slows down digestion, so less sugar is absorbed from food into the bloodstream.
In studies, those who took the medication and made lifestyle changes lost almost 15% of their body weight, on average, compared to 3% in the placebo group. Typically, a three-month usage is linked with a 5% weight loss.
Usually, it takes a few weeks to begin noticing weight loss results from Ozempic because treatment doesn't start with the full 2.4mg dose. You'll begin with a smaller dose of 0.25 mg per week, which will gradually increase every four weeks, depending on your response and side effects. Your practitioner's aim is to find the lowest effective dose for you, with a maximum of at 2.4mg.
Explore the collection of blogs below for all the info you need:
Off-Label Prescribing: what you need to know about this common practice
Insurance Coverage for Ozempic: options for Ontarians
How to Use the Ozempic Pen: instructions for how exactly to use the injectable pen
Ozempic: Where is the Best Place to Inject?: how and where to inject Ozempic
Ozempic: What are the Main Side Effects?: Like all medication, Ozempic may cause side effects — here are the most common ones
Q&A: Weight Loss Treatment at Felix: answers about pricing, eligibility, and more
Still have questions we didn’t cover? We can answer them at hello@felixforyou.ca.
The views expressed here are those of the author and, as with the rest of the content on Health Guide, are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare practitioner.
