Weight Loss: The Super Medicine Ozempic
Recently, the name Ozempic has been gaining prominence in weight loss conversations. Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, this medication is now being used—and debated—as a possible "secret weapon" for weight loss. But is it really safe? And how does it work?
💉 What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide , a weekly injectable drug that belongs to the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) agonist class. This medication is approved for the management of type 2 diabetes, helping to regulate blood sugar levels.
However, during clinical trials, researchers noticed that patients also lost significant weight .
⚙️ How does Ozempic work for weight loss?
The drug mimics a gut hormone called GLP-1, which has several functions:
- Increases satiety , reducing appetite;
- Delays gastric emptying , which prolongs the feeling of a “full stomach”;
- Reduces blood sugar levels after meals;
- It indirectly reduces daily calorie intake.
These combined effects cause many users to report a noticeable reduction in body weight , even without drastic changes in diet or physical activity.
📊 What do the studies say?
One of the largest studies of semaglutide for weight loss—the STEP study —found that, on average, participants lost 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks compared with the placebo group.
📚 Reference: Wilding et al., "Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity", New England Journal of Medicine , 2021.
⚠️ What are the side effects?
Despite the promising results, using Ozempic is not without risks . The most common side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Extreme loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
In some rarer cases, there are reports of inflammation of the pancreas , gallbladder problems and psychological effects related to eating .
🧑⚕️ Is it safe to take Ozempic just to lose weight?
Currently, in Portugal, Ozempic is only approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes . Exclusive use for weight loss is considered "off-label" (outside the approved indications), although there are specific versions of semaglutide for this purpose, such as Wegovy (not yet widely available in Portugal).
Medical supervision and following a nutritional and exercise plan are essential to ensure sustainable and safe results.
🏋️♀️ The role of exercise and nutrition
Even with the help of medication, healthy weight loss must be based on a balanced lifestyle :
- Regular training , especially strength and cardiovascular training
- Nutritional re-education , focusing on satiety and glycemic control
- Professional monitoring by personal trainers and nutritionists
- Stress management and adequate sleep
🧠 Final considerations
Ozempic can be a powerful weight management tool , especially for people who are obese or have clinical weight loss difficulties. However, it is not a substitute for the essential foundations : healthy eating, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
⚠️ Before considering any medication, talk to your doctor or endocrinologist.
