Many people associate the start of the new year with fitness and weight loss goals. Some drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, have been promoted by the media and often misinterpreted as miracle “weight loss drugs.” It is important to know that these medications should be taken as prescribed by a doctor after a full medical evaluation.
Active ingredient: semaglutide
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, is a popular drug used to treat type 2 diabetes or obesity and can help patients lose weight, but it is not recommended for everyone.
Semaglutide can be taken as an injection or as an oral tablet. Ozempic and Wegovy are semaglutide injections, but they have different doses and strengths. Rybelsus is semaglutide in tablet form and is available in different strengths than injectable semaglutide.
Semaglutide can:
- Lowering blood sugar
- Reduce the risk of heart disease
- Decrease appetite, support weight loss
Medicines are not intended for short-term use. Many patients need to continue treatment to maintain their weight.
Medicines are expensive and may not be covered by all insurance plans.
These drugs require a prescription from a healthcare provider and there are no FDA-approved generic versions. You should only take medicines prescribed by your doctor.
Only medicines prescribed by your healthcare provider are authentic. Do not buy semaglutide online or at “health spas”. It is dangerous to take medicine that does not come from your doctor or pharmacy.
Ozempic
Ozempic, known as a “diet for weight loss,” is not actually approved for weight loss by the US Food and Drug Administration. Rather, it is designed to help adults manage their type 2 diabetes.
According to the FDA, Ozempic has been shown to:
- Lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes
- Reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke
Ozempic is a once-weekly semaglutide injection.
Weggs
Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss in certain adults and children 12 years and older. Wegovy is designed to work in tandem with regular exercise and a healthy diet to help patients lose weight.
Wegovy is a once-weekly semaglutide injection.
Rebels
Rybelsus is an oral tablet that helps adults manage their type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels. Not approved for weight loss.
Rybelsus is a once-daily tablet to be taken with just a sip of water on an empty stomach. No other food, drink or medicine should be taken for 30 minutes after taking Rybelsus.
Who should not take semaglutide?
Although these drugs are popular, they are not for everyone. Check with your doctor to see if they recommend it for you.
You should not use semaglutide if:
- Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant?
- You have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands)
- You have a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer)
- Are allergic to semaglutide
- You have severe slowing of the stomach, called gastroparesis
You should only take one type of semaglutide at a time. For example, you cannot take Ozempic and Wegovy together.
Possible side effects of semaglutide
For some patients, the possible side effects outweigh the potential benefits of treating their condition. Contact your doctor immediately and stop taking semaglutide if you experience the following side effects:
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fast pulse
- Indigestion
- Nightmares
- Pain in the stomach, side, or abdomen
- convulsions
- rash
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty breathing
- vomiting
This is not a complete list of side effects. Consult your healthcare provider for a complete list of possible side effects.
Diabetes care in university health
Learn more about world-class diabetes care at the Texas Diabetes Institute.
