To preface, whilst commonly known as a drug that accelerates weight loss, “Ozempic is not a weight loss drug,” affirms Dr. Sue Ho, lead doctor, at Prologue Centre women’s health. With the rise of its use and startling results outpouring from Hollywood celebrities (most recently, Serena Williams), there’s no refuting the drug’s impact—whether it be in the name of health or part of a bigger cultural conversation.
As for Ozempic’s place in Singapore? The only way to obtain the medicine would be through a prescription from a health professional. But that certainly doesn’t diminish the demand, with a drug as notorious as Ozempic, there’s plenty of chatter abound—whether factual or not—rife with side effects as well as how it should be used. To debunk misconceptions and offer a doctor’s expertise, Dr. Ho shares with Vogue Singapore about the infamous drug and how one can combat the side effects that come along with it.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a prescription medication with the active ingredient, Semaglutide. It is primarily used for adults with type 2 diabetes to lower their blood sugar level and reduce risks of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, especially in those with existing heart disease or chronic kidney disease.
Ozempic belongs to the class of drugs known as GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists. It works by mimicking a natural hormone to increase insulin release, decrease liver sugar production, and slow stomach emptying, which together, improve blood sugar control and promote a feeling of fullness.
As this is a prescription medication, only health professionals such as doctors can prescribe it.
How long can one take Ozempic?
There is currently no set time limit for how long you can take Ozempic; some people use it for several months, others for years, and some even indefinitely. As long as it is effective and has no lasting complications or side effects.
What are some misconceptions about Ozempic as well as other weight loss drugs?
- Some people think that these weight loss drugs are a quick fix to losing weight but this is not the case. It should be combined with a healthy lifestyle – a healthy diet and regular exercise. These drugs should be served as a tool to aid the process of weight loss and not as a replacement for lifestyle changes.
- All weight loss drugs are the same but they are not. Drugs act differently and may be prescribed for different medical problems. Some GLP-1 drugs are approved for type 2 diabetes while others such as WeGovy are specifically for weight loss.
- Lifestyle changes are unnecessary. This is untrue as best results occur with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
- Anyone who wants to lose weight should and can be prescribed weight loss drugs. That is untrue—these medications are not for everyone. It is usually prescribed for those with certain medical problems warranting weight loss necessary (e.g. diabetes), or those who struggle to lose weight due to underlying medical conditions. Weight loss drugs are not recommended for those who want to lose a few pounds for aesthetic purposes.
Ozempic is not a weight loss drug. At Prologue The Lifestyle Medical Clinic, we have two treatments for weight loss—Saxenda and WeGovy. Saxenda is a GLP-1 receptor agonist and works to suppress the appetite. It requires the patient to carry out daily injections, and averages a weight loss of 5-10%. WeGovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that also works to suppress appetite but can last longer in the body. It requires the patient to carry out weekly injections, and averages weight loss of 15-18%.
We will first consult the patient and decide how much weight loss is required (e.g. if more weight loss is required, e.g. > 10%, then will consider WeGovy), and if there are any pre-existing weight-related conditions or other health issues to consider. After which, we will also assess the tolerability and response of the patient while on the medication. Some other factors to consider include lifestyle (daily vs weekly dose) and cost.
What are some side effects of taking Ozempic? How do we combat this?
The common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and constipation.
Other frequent but milder side effects are heartburn, bloating, loss of appetite, headache, giddiness, fatigue, redness and swelling at injection site.
Less common but potentially serious side effects:
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas; symptoms include severe abdominal pain and persistent nausea/vomiting)
- Gallbladder problems (gallstones or infections)
- Kidney problems (swelling, decreased urination, tiredness)
- Serious allergic reactions (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing)
- Thyroid tumors (including certain types of thyroid cancer; a potential long-term risk)
- Vision changes (such as worsened diabetic retinopathy)
- Gastrointestinal paralysis or gastroparesis (slow or stopped stomach emptying)
- Low blood sugar (especially when used with insulin or certain other diabetes drugs)
Hair loss and muscle loss are not direct side effects of Ozempic, however hair loss may occur as a result of weight loss, which causes a temporary condition called Telogen Effluvium. This usually occurs after two to three months of weight loss and it is temporary. The hair regrows after stopping the medication or once the body adjusts to the medications. Proper diet and supplementation may help with this.
What do you recommend any user of Ozempic to be doing while on the drug?
Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat enough and well, exercise regularly and have good quality sleep. Also, monitor your blood sugar levels regularly, especially if you also take other diabetes medications to manage hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
What can happen when the user goes off Ozempic?
When you stop taking Ozempic, weight often comes back, and it can happen fast if you don’t keep up with healthy habits. To avoid this, it helps to plan ahead with your doctor or dietitian, build good routines while you’re still on the medication, and consider gradual tapering or alternative long-term options.
