Everything You Need to Know About Ozempic

Health

Common diseases and disorders cause an imbalance in the natural blood sugar levels in the body. This imbalance increases the risk of diabetes if the body does not produce enough insulin to counter the overproduction of glucose. It is one of the leading health complications faced by people across the country. It mainly results from a lack of glucagon, a hormone that is necessary to maintain and control blood sugar levels.

The pancreases are responsible for insulin production in the body which is then naturally released into the bloodstream through the circulatory system. Glucagon production is also essential for three primary functions including the conversion of glycogen to glucose, the promotion of glucose production from amino acid molecules, and reduction in the consumption of glucose for energy breakdown by the liver. Any imbalance will result in diabetes or glucagon deficiency.

A large part of the population at risk of developing type 2 diabetes as more and more people now depend on artificial insulin to manage their hormone levels. Artificial insulin injections are effective in countering the overproduction of glucagon, but at the same time, an insulin overdose can result in hypoglycemia. It is a condition that causes blood sugar levels to spike due to excess insulin. One of the main reasons why non-insulin based injections are gaining popularity is to reduce the increased dependency on artificial insulin.

Ozempic® is a popular name among brands that manufacture non-insulin based, glucagon-rich medications, that are quite effective in tackling type 2 diabetes. Alternatively known as Semaglutide, Ozempic® is used to lower blood sugar levels and counter the overproduction of the glucagon hormone.

Ozempic® is available in the form of an injection. It slows down the speed at which food leaves the stomach, reduces the amount of sugar released from the liver, and increases the amount of insulin secreted by the pancreas simultaneously. The normal secretion of insulin triggered by this injection helps lower blood sugar levels without the need for artificial insulin based injections.

This non-insulin based injection also helps patients reach normal A1C levels to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Research shows non-insulin based glucagon injections also help patients lose weight gradually as blood sugar levels are kept in check. It also decreases the chances of cardiovascular diseases that can result in fatalities in some cases.

Prescription information for Ozempic®
It is imperative for people to consult and assess the viability of the medication as glucagon can have side effects and allergic reactions when a patient injects it while suffering from the following health conditions.

  • People suffering from Type 2 multiple endocrine neoplasias must not use the non-insulin based injection as a tumor that affects the endocrine glands can cause allergic reactions due to an interaction with the glucagon hormone.
  • People who have a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma must also refrain from using Semaglutide injections.
  • People suffering from the varied symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis must also refrain from non-insulin based hormone injections and should first consult with a medical professional to asses the viability of the medication.
  • People who have health conditions that affect their pancreases, stomach, kidney, or liver and even people who suffer from eye problems due to diabetes must consult with a doctor to check if it is safe to use glucagon hormone injections to manage blood sugar levels.

Different doses of Ozempic®
An insulin pen is a viable replacement for diabetic pills. Ozempic® injection is to be taken once a week to control blood sugar levels. The pen allows users to adjust the dosage levels as prescribed by the doctor. Research suggests that 1mg of Ozempic® dose taken at consistent intervals can reduce A1C levels below 7%, unlike diabetic pills. People who took the injection with the dosage varying between 0.5mg and 1mg showed signs of improvement through lower blood sugar levels.

How does the medication work?
The non-insulin based hormone medication activates the GLP-1 hormone that triggers multiple actions on glucose production. Note that a high glucose content in the body coupled with lack of insulin necessary to break down the glucose increases the risk of diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes.

This is the reason why an artificial insulin trigger is necessary to stimulate its production in the body and counter the symptoms of diabetes. Ozempic® reduces blood glucose by stimulating insulin secretion in the pancreas. This mechanism allows the body to regulate both hormones to supplement higher production of insulin levels.

Note that one must also follow a strict diet and exercise regime along with taking Ozempic® injections to manage the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Exercise helps the body secrete insulin naturally and reduces the dependence on artificial medications to manage glucagon levels.

Ozempic®, in particular, has shown significant results in improving and maintaining acceptable A1C levels in a short period of time.