What is Ozempic? The weight-loss drug mentioned by Jimmy Kimmel during Oscars; check details inside

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel mentioned a diet pill called Ozempic yesterday. Since then, people all over the globe have been amused by what is this drug and how does it work? Here are the answers to all your questions.

Semaglutide, also known by the brand name Ozempic, is a molecule used to treat type 2 diabetes and is injected once a week. Unlike insulin, it comes in two different single-use disposable pens in 0.25 mg or 1 mg increments, making it relatively safe and easy to use.

How Semaglutide Works

Semaglutide is 95% identical to human GLP-1 and acts in a manner similar to the naturally occurring GLP-1 in the body. It helps regulate blood sugar levels by increasing the release of insulin when blood sugar is elevated, reducing the release of glucose from liver storage into circulation, and suppressing appetite.

Semaglutide for weight loss

One of the side effects of semaglutide is weight loss. Doctors are increasingly prescribing weight loss for people without diabetes. The Sustain study examined the effectiveness of semaglutide in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and also looked at the associated weight loss in patients taking semaglutide. In most studies, the average weight loss was about 5 kg.

Using Semaglutide for Weight Loss in People Without Diabetes

Currently, trials are underway to examine the effectiveness of weekly higher doses of semaglutide as a weight loss drug in patients with and without type 2 diabetes. In a recent double-blind trial of 1,961 adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, adults who received a high dose of 2.4 mg of semaglutide weekly (compared with 0.5 mg or 1 mg, commonly used in type 2 diabetes ) averaged 14.9% of baseline body weight after 68 weeks of weight loss treatment, compared to 2.4% for the group receiving only placebo and lifestyle intervention.

The US FDA recently approved high-dose semaglutide at 2.4 mg per week as a weight loss drug in the form of Wegovy, which is expected to be available in the second half of 2021.

Semaglutide also significantly reduced waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HbA1c, fasting blood glucose and fasting cholesterol levels.

Importance of GLP-1

Semaglutide is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring human hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 or GLP-1 that has been modified so it is less likely to be broken down and therefore has a longer duration of action. GLP-1 is an important hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels, appetite and body weight in the body.

Is it available in India?

Yes, you can get semaglutide in India. But it won't be easy, and it won't be cheap. According to DCGI, semaglutide can only be prescribed by an endocrinologist.

Also, they are only used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Overall, Semaglutide (Ozempic), a molecule used to treat type 2 diabetes, can also help with weight loss, suppress appetite, and lower blood pressure levels. The US FDA recently approved high-dose semaglutide 2.4 mg per week as a weight loss drug marketed as Wegovy, which is expected to be available in the second half of 2021. Semaglutide, a synthetic version of the naturally occurring human hormone GLP-1, helps regulate blood sugar levels, appetite and body weight and has been shown to be effective in managing type 2 diabetes and promoting weight loss in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.