Editorial.- Ozempic, whose active ingredient is semaglutide, has become one of the best-known medications in recent years due to its effects on glucose control and weight loss. However, specialists have warned that its benefits must be understood within its medical indications and that its use requires professional supervision.
Developed by Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company founded in 1923. Ozempic is a prescription injectable medication indicated primarily for adults with type 2 diabetes. Its mechanism of action promotes the release of insulin when blood glucose levels are high and slows gastric emptying, which can increase the feeling of fullness.
Read more: Work stress impairs sleep in middle age, according to a study
The treatment is administered via a subcutaneous injection once a week. The dose usually starts at a low level and is increased progressively according to the doctor’s instructions.
Weight loss boosted his popularity
Although Ozempic became globally popular for its ability to promote weight loss, its primary indication is the treatment of type 2 diabetes. For the specific management of obesity, there is Wegovy, also based on semaglutide but developed and authorized for that purpose.
The rise of these medications has contributed to them being considered by some people as a kind of “miracle drug.” However, the reality is more complex: these are drugs that can produce significant benefits, but also adverse effects and risks that must be evaluated individually.
Side effects and potential risks
Among the most frequent adverse reactions are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. Other gastrointestinal problems may also occur.
Various studies have also investigated possible associations between semaglutide-based medications and different conditions. Among the problems studied are gastroparesis, gallbladder diseases, and other gastrointestinal and renal disorders.
There are also less frequent but potentially serious risks, such as pancreatitis, certain gallbladder problems, hypoglycemia especially when combined with other diabetes medications, and vision disturbances in certain patients.
Ozempic is also not indicated for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.
The research also finds possible additional benefits
Scientific research is not limited to studying the adverse effects of semaglutide. Clinical trials have also demonstrated cardiovascular benefits in certain patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
In fact, the reduction of the risk of certain serious cardiovascular events is one of the clinically relevant benefits associated with treatment in selected patients.
Therefore, the available evidence shows a more balanced reality: Ozempic is not a miracle drug nor a product intended simply for weight loss. It is a pharmacological treatment with proven benefits for certain people and potential adverse effects that justify its use under medical supervision.
The growing popularity of semaglutide makes it especially important to differentiate between its approved uses, the results observed in scientific research, and the use that may be made of the medication on one’s own.
