Ozempic and other drugs for weight loss
Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy are the trade names of the most widely used anti-obesity drugs today. Although their use has only recently begun, they already represent a very significant difference in weight loss.
This drug acts on the satiety center of the brain, influencing the central nervous networks and reducing the desire to eat. Dr. Eva Blázquez Lautre, specialist in endocrinology and nutrition at the Polyclinic of Gipuzkoa, states that “these drugs were initially used in patients with diabetes and obesity, but then They have been shown to be very effective in treating obesity in general.“.
But which medications are most recommended for obesity? how do they work? Can they cause adverse effects?
Obesity is a chronic disease that is becoming increasingly popular
It is currently believed that this affects 2 out of 10 peoplealthough it will probably increase to 3 out of 10 by 2035. In this sense, the doctor points out that “obesity is a chronic disease that threatens to develop into a global pandemic with a growing impact on public health.”
Its prevalence is higher in developed countries, especially due to a sedentary lifestyle and consumption of high-calorie foods. These two factors increase the risk of developing this disease.
It must be taken into account that obesity may contribute to certain conditionsfor example, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis or inflammation. For this reason, the specialist insists on viewing the disease as chronic: “it is not a condition like being blonde or dark-skinned, but rather an excess of obesity causing serious health problems.”
In addition, it is not recommended to forget The emotional impact of obesitysince many people try to lose weight several times without success.
Ozempic and other drugs for weight loss
Previously, these drugs were used in patients with diabetes, but now they can also be prescribed to people who need to lose weight. And they contribute to both the control and treatment of obesity.
These weight loss drugs are better known by their trade names. Ozempic, Rybelsus and Vegoviusthe latest and having a new formula.
Specifically, contain the active ingredient semaglutide.. The specialist explains to us that “semaglutide acts by reducing the feeling of appetite and increasing satietymaking it easier to stick to a healthy eating plan and exercise.”
Regarding the latter drug, the doctor notes that “Vegovium contains the same active substance as Ozempic, semaglutide, but unlike the first, it allows the use of higher doses, up to 2.4 mg, which increases effectiveness in some cases.” “
Side effects of anti-obesity drugs
In general, this treatment is usually well tolerated. The doctor adds that “side effects are usually mild to moderate, predominantly gastrointestinal in nature.and this can be managed through dosage adjustments or dietary changes.”
The doctor adds that “we may be in the best position for a long time to be able to treat obesity with the tools we have, and that’s good news for those people who have tried to lose weight with other options and they haven’t achieved it.” .
Results of weight loss drugs
This treatment promotes weight loss and its effectiveness has been highlighted. In this regard, the doctor informs us that “if before getting acquainted with these drugs, weight loss reached about 10% of body weight, Great weight loss of over 23% is achieved with these new drugs.“.
Another benefit of this weight loss medicine is that it helps us closer to the weight loss achieved by bariatric surgerywhich can reach 30%. However, such significant figures have not yet been achieved.
It is worth emphasizing the importance of treating obesity on an individualized and compassionate basis. “It is very important that treatment is always personalized and monitored by medical professionals, because each person has different circumstances,” the expert concludes.