What Is the Correct Ozempic® Dosing For Weight Loss

When it comes to managing weight, finding an effective and safe solution is paramount. Many health-conscious individuals are turning to medications like Ozempic® for their weight loss journey. But what exactly is Ozempic®, and what is the correct dosing for weight loss? In this article, we will explore how Ozempic® works, its recommended dosages, and the clinical evidence supporting its efficacy.

Understanding How Ozempic® Works For Weight Loss

Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, initially approved in 2017 by the FDA to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Its formulated using the active ingredient semaglutide, which is also sold under the brand name Wegovy® specifically for treating obesity. Beyond its primary use, Ozempic® has shown promising results in aiding weight loss by reducing appetite and promoting satiety. (2)

How Ozempic® Works for Weight Loss

Ozempic® mimics the action of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone, which regulates blood sugar levels and appetite. (1,2) Ozempic® and other GLP-1 medications work to reduce cravings and appetite due to direct and indirect effects on the brain. (3,4) By binding to GLP-1 receptors, Ozempic® may even slow gastric emptying, making you feel fuller for longer periods. (5, 6, 7) These various mechanisms work together to significantly reduce calorie intake, leading to weight loss over time.

Correct Ozempic® Dosing for Weight Loss

Initial Dosing

The starting dose of Ozempic® for weight management is 0.25 mg once weekly. This introductory phase lasts four weeks and aims to allow your body to adjust to the medication while minimizing gastrointestinal side effects. 

Gastrointestinal side effects are the most commonly reported side effects among Ozempic® users and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. (1) The majority of gastrointestinal side effects occur during dose escalation. Roughly 33% of users report experiencing gastrointestinal side effects once started on the 0.5 mg weekly dose, which increases slightly to 36% when started on the 1 mg dose. (1) Luckily, most symptoms are mild to moderate in severity and resolve with time (8).

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Increasing the Dose

After the initial four-week period, the dose should be increased to 0.5 mg once weekly. Some patients may require further adjustments based on their response and tolerance:

• 0.25mg Once Weekly: Maintain this low starting dose for four weeks.
• 0.5 mg Once Weekly: Continue this dosage for at least four weeks to assess effectiveness and tolerance.
• 1 mg Once Weekly: If additional weight loss is desired, increase the dose to 1 mg after at least four weeks on the 0.5 mg dose.
• 2 mg Once Weekly (Maximum): For those who need further weight reduction, the dose can be further increased to 2 mg after completing four weeks on the 1 mg dose.

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Administration and Missed Doses

Ozempic® should be administered subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It's important to use Ozempic® on the same day each week. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible, within five days. If more than five days have passed, skip the missed dose and continue with the next scheduled dose (1).

Clinical Evidence Supporting Ozempic® for Weight Loss

Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of semaglutide, the primary ingredient in Ozempic®, in promoting significant weight loss. One major trial involving 1,961 obese or overweight participants (excluding those with diabetes) showed that semaglutide led to an average weight loss of 14.9% (2). 86% of participants achieved at least a 5% reduction in body weight (2).

Side Effects and Considerations

While Ozempic® is effective, it's not without potential side effects. The most common adverse events include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation (1,2). Serious side effects are rare but have been reported in the literature and include pancreatitis, kidney injury, diabetic retinopathy complications, and potentially thyroid C-cell tumors (thyroid tumors/cancer have been observed in rodent studies) (2).

Furthermore, when Ozempic® is used alongside insulin or an insulin secretagogue, your healthcare provider may consider lowering the dose of either medication to reduce the risk of dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). 

Talk to your doctor if you are interested in becoming pregnant. Users are advised to discontinue Ozempic® at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy.

Getting The Most Out Of Your Ozempic® Treatment

Ozempic® offers a promising option for those seeking to manage their weight effectively. By following the correct dosing regimen, patients can experience significant weight loss alongside the support of a comprehensive weight care program. Always consult your healthcare provider to tailor the dosing to your specific needs and monitor for potential side effects.

If you're ready to explore personalized weight loss solutions and receive expert guidance, find out if you’re eligible for Mochi Health’s comprehensive weight care program today.

Sources

1. Food and Drug Administration. Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection prescribing information, revised 2020. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/209637s003lbl.pdf
2. Wilding, J. P. H., Batterham, R. L., Calanna, S., Davies, M., Van Gaal, L. F., Lingvay, I., McGowan, B. M., Rosenstock, J., Tran, M. T. D., Wadden, T. A., Wharton, S., Yokote, K., Zeuthen, N., Kushner, R. F., & STEP 1 Study Group (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England journal of medicine, 384(11), 989–1002. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
3. Blundell, J., Finlayson, G., Axelsen, M., Flint, A., Gibbons, C., Kvist, T., & Hjerpsted, J. B. (2017). Effects of once-weekly semaglutide on appetite, energy intake, control of eating, food preference and body weight in subjects with obesity. Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 19(9), 1242–1251. https://dom-pubs.pericles-prod.literatumonline.com/doi/10.1111/dom.12932
4. Gabery, S., Salinas, C. G., Paulsen, S. J., Ahnfelt-Rønne, J., Alanentalo, T., Baquero, A. F., Buckley, S. T., Farkas, E., Fekete, C., Frederiksen, K. S., Helms, H. C. C., Jeppesen, J. F., John, L. M., Pyke, C., Nøhr, J., Lu, T. T., Polex-Wolf, J., Prevot, V., Raun, K., Simonsen, L., … Hogendorf, W. F. J. (2020). Semaglutide lowers body weight in rodents via distributed neural pathways. JCI insight, 5(6), e133429. https://insight.jci.org/articles/view/133429
5. Weber MM. Trust the Gold Standard: All Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Can Delay Gastric Emptying. Anesthesiology. 2024 Jan 1;140(1):178–80. https://pubs.asahq.org/anesthesiology/article-abstract/140/1/178/139381/Trust-the-Gold-Standard-All-Glucagon-like-Peptide?redirectedFrom=fulltext
6. Kalas MA, Galura GM, McCallum RW. Medication-Induced Gastroparesis: A Case Report. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep. 2021 Jan 18;9:232470962110519. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8529310/
7. Chaudhry A, Gabriel B, Noor J, Jawad S, Challa SR. Tendency of Semaglutide to Induce Gastroparesis: A Case Report. Cureus. 2024 Jan;16(1):e52564. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/38371020/‍
8. Gorgojo-Martínez, J. J., Mezquita-Raya, P., Carretero-Gómez, J., Castro, A., Cebrián-Cuenca, A., de Torres-Sánchez, A., García-de-Lucas, M. D., Núñez, J., Obaya, J. C., Soler, M. J., Górriz, J. L., & Rubio-Herrera, M. Á. (2022). Clinical Recommendations to Manage Gastrointestinal Adverse Events in Patients Treated with Glp-1 Receptor Agonists: A Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus. Journal of clinical medicine, 12(1), 145. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12010145