Semaglutide injections like Ozempic and Wegovy have spiked in interest and recognition attributable to their ability to help weight reduction. But are they secure to make use of? Do they work? How will you pay money for them? Healthista spoke to three experts who weigh in on this hot yet complex weight reduction topic

When you’ve been anywhere on the web within the last 12 months, you’ve probably heard of the brand new prescription medication – Ozempic.  

While its intended use is to assist Type 2 diabetes patients control their blood sugar levels, Ozempic has gained extreme virality for its ability to cause rapid weight reduction in users. 

The medication’s unprecedented rise in popularity might be credited to social media platforms and celebrity usage. Currently, #ozempic on TikTok boasts over one billion views.

Also, public figures starting from Elon Musk to Chelsea Handler have come out and said they’ve used the drug, in keeping with Insider.  

The prescription might be life changing for diabetes patients, however the skyrocketing demand has led to an Ozempic shortage in the US, in keeping with the Food and Drug Administration. 

Ozempic became available in the UK in 2019, and just like the U.S., is currently briefly supply.  

An identical drug named Wegovy is coming to the U.K. market

The medication was recently approved for prescription use by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. But just this week, the U.K government announced a two-year pilot program to check how general practitioners can prescribe Wegovy (one other prescription weight reduction medication) safely.

Indeed, 35,000 people may have access to the drug, with more potentially eligible, to cut back the pressure that weight-related conditions can have on hospitals. 

READ MORE: Serious about weight reduction? 5 non-negotiable rules to live by – part one

What’s Ozempic and Wegovy? 

Here’s the fundamentals: Ozempic and Wegovy contain the identical lively ingredient called semaglutide, in keeping with Dr. Natalie Hammer, an Aesthetic Medical Doctor at IV Boost UK. 

The medications are injected subcutaneously weekly and help regulate blood sugar levels and increase the quantity of incretin hormones within the user. This, in turn, reduces the patient’s appetite and makes them feel fuller for longer.  

There are two key differences between Wegovy and Ozempic. 

Difference primary: Wegovy is obtainable at barely higher doses than Ozempic. The utmost dose offered for Wegovy is 2.4mg and the best dose available for Ozempic is 2.0mg. 

Difference number two: Ozempic is really useful for Type 2 diabetes patients. Wegovy is really useful for individuals with or without Type 2 diabetes, so long as they meet certain weight requirements and have weight-related health issues, in keeping with Dr. Hammer.

READ MORE: Calorie Deficit – methods to progressively reduce calories for weight reduction

What the doctor says…

Dr. Hammer thinks semaglutide injections, when used with a healthy weight-reduction plan, regular exercise and other lifestyle modifications, generally is a invaluable tool for individuals with weight-related health problems. 

In line with Dr. Hammer, semaglutide injections are prescribed to patients with a body mass index of 27 and better with not less than one weight-related health condition. This puts them within the ‘obese’ category. Ozempic and Wegovy will also be prescribed to patients with a BMI of 30 and better, which puts them within the ‘obese’ category.

More often than not, patients in these weight brackets are diabetic or prediabetic

‘You’re not gonna give Ozempic to only anybody who’s coming within the office,’ Dr. Hammer says.

‘They’ve to fulfill the factors.’ 

But, diabetes isn’t the one weight-related health issue that Ozempic might be prescribed for. Dr. Hammer says patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and menopausal women who’ve trouble shedding weight find that the medication might be highly effective.  

‘It’s really a really selective process, but normally 1 out of 4 individuals who walk through my clinic is obese,’ Dr. Hammer says. 

With the recent highlight on Ozempic and Wegovy, Dr. Hammer has seen a surge in interest in semaglutide injections at her clinic. Nevertheless, she is currently not in a position to prescribe anything to her patients due to shortages brought on by high demand – something she considers an enormous problem. 

‘People have such quick access to it,’ Dr. Hammer explains.

‘That is the issue, they’re not in search of a medical consultation, they’re just going to Boots Pharmacy online and they can fill out a questionnaire and get access to the pen. Which, in my view, form of puts it wanting stock for other people who really could also be needing it.’ 

Semaglutide injections aren’t without their risks. Dr. Hammer says potential unintended effects include nausea, headaches, constipation and diarrhea. More serious ones, while rarer, include low blood sugar, pancreatitis and thyroid cancer. 

READ MORE: Top Dietitian explains the primary 4 KEY steps to successful weight reduction

What the nutritionist says…

Nevertheless, not all experts agree about Ozempic and its use. 

Kim Pearson, founding father of Kim Pearson Nutrition who specialises in intelligent weight reduction, doesn’t think a semaglutide injection is an efficient solution to shed weight and considers it a ‘quick fix’ for an underlying issue. 

‘Firstly, an injection alone does nothing to get to the basis reason for why people have gained weight,’ says Pearson.

‘Not tackling the basis cause is very prone to lead to weight regain.’

Weight regain after stopping Ozempic and Wegovy is a standard concern

The truth is, some studies have shown weight rebound in individuals, with data showing most individuals regaining most of their weight inside five years of stopping semaglutide.  

Pearson says it’s more constructive for patients to ascertain a healthy weight-reduction plan and lifestyle as a ‘default’ and get to the major reason for weight-related health issues. 

‘The important thing to successful, long run weight reduction is overcoming the challenges that led you to weight gain in the primary place,’ Pearson says.

‘In fact, establishing a nutrition and lifestyle plan that’s tailored to individual needs and circumstances is vital. We also find that ongoing support, skilled guidance and accountability could make a big difference.’ 

Like Dr. Hammer, Pearson has seen increased interest in Ozempic and Wegovy injections. Though her team of nutritionists cannot prescribe the medication, Pearson predicts that recent approval to prescribe Wegovy and the pilot program will lead to an additional uptick in interest and recognition for obesity drugs. 

READ MORE: 6 steps to creating your ideal summer workout routine

What the non-public trainer says…

Mark Stanton, a Healthista Collective expert and director and head coach of LIFT Studios, shares most of the same views as Pearson.  

Stanton says the long-term effects of Ozempic and Wegovy are currently unknown and will potentially be dangerous. He also notes that semaglutide injections don’t solve the underlying issues related to weight-related health conditions and may’t replace a healthy weight-reduction plan and exercise regimen.  

‘If weight reduction is your goal, it ought to be a component of an even bigger picture of optimal health,’ says Stanton.

‘This includes maintaining and living a healthy lifestyle and allowing yourself to have a extremely good quality of life, whatever which may be,’ adds Stanton. 

While Stanton says the exercise aspect of weight reduction is a ‘longer journey,’ you learn more while doing it. Dropping pounds is all about being consistent and trusting the method, so it’s necessary to return to the fundamentals.  

Staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, eating a balanced weight-reduction plan and finding regular exercises that you just enjoy and don’t cause you stress are a few of the most effective first steps to take when attempting to shed weight.  

So what’s the decision?

With many differing opinions and more studies needed to find out its effect, each short-term and long-term, the longer term of medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy is uncertain. Only time will tell if these potentially ‘game changing’ drugs will really do the trick in relation to tackling obesity.

Dr. Natalie Hammer is registered with the General Medical Council and is an Aesthetic Medicine Practitioner at IV Boost UK. She has over 14 years of medical experience and has specialised in aesthetic medicine for eight.

Kim Pearson is the founding father of Kim Pearson Nutrition and specialises in intelligent weight reduction. She has worked in the sphere for over 15 years and is a member of the Complimentary and Natural Healthcare Council and the British Association of Applied Nutrition and Dietary Therapy.

Mark Stanton has been a private trainer and strength coach for nearly 20 years. He currently owns his own studio, has trained world-class athletes and has worked with leaders within the fitness industry.