How Quickly Does Ozempic Work? 

Ozempic is a drug that helps stabilize blood sugar levels and control hunger. It does this by slowing down the digestive process and promoting insulin production. 

In general, the effects of the medication start to be seen within a few weeks. However, to fully understand when you can expect to notice results, we need to delve a little deeper into the pharmacodynamics of the drug (how it works within the body)

The How, Why, and When of Successful Ozempic Use

• A quick overview of Ozempic
• How quickly does Ozempic work to reduce blood sugar?
• How quickly does Ozempic work for weight loss?

A quick overview of Ozempic

Ozempic (and its close cousin, Wegovy) is used to treat type 2 diabetes, reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, and for weight loss and long-term weight management. They’re both a semaglutide and are marketed by the same pharmaceutical company—Novo Nordisk.

Wegovy has FDA approval for weight loss (approved in 2021) and Ozempic for type 2 diabetes (approved in 2017). However, because of the close similarities, both drugs are often referred to as Ozempic. 

How quickly does Ozempic work to reduce blood sugar?

Blood sugar levels will begin to reduce and stabilize within about a week of beginning the medication. However, the full results aren’t usually experienced until at least the eight-week mark—and sometimes longer. It will also depend on the level of sugars in the blood (and how long they have been significantly raised) when you first start.

You’ll likely be started on a lower dose to begin with. This will gradually be increased over the following weeks to the optimal level.

How quickly does Ozempic work for weight loss?

When you take a semaglutide for weight loss, you’ll start on a reduced dose for the first few weeks. This is to lower the chances of the most common side effects, which are:

• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Nausea

The drug is taken weekly via a subcutaneous injection. This is normally into the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. The usual dose for weight loss is 0.25mg per week for the first four weeks. This is gradually increased each week up to a maximum dose of 2.4mg per week.

Each person is different as to the dose needed to successfully suppress appetite. Once this level is reached then the calorie deficit this achieves means that weight loss will begin to happen. This can take anything from four weeks upwards. However, once it does, the weight will begin to drop off pretty quickly.

It’s very important to understand that, on its own, a semaglutide isn’t a magic bullet for losing weight. It must be in combination with lifestyle and diet changes. Without these, when the medication is stopped then the weight will once again begin to pile on. Therefore, rather than thinking of Ozempic or Wegovy as a weight loss “cure”, it should be approached as an add-on to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical exercise.

When used in such a manner Ozempic or Wegovy can have excellent long-term results.

Feeling Great After Weight Loss? Tone the Body Beautiful at Bayou City Dermatology

If you’ve lost a little (or a lot) of weight, then you deserve a massive congratulations. Dropping excess pounds is never easy—so well done you! 

If it’s time to continue your hard-won body modifications, then check out the range of advanced skin toning, fat loss, body sculpting, and other non and minimally invasive procedures that Bayou City Dermatology offers. Our clinical team will be delighted to curate a bespoke treatment (or treatments) that really will help you to adore your skin and body.

Discover more at https://www.bayoucitydermatology.com/services and call today to book an initial consultation.