This is Ozempic, an anti-obesity drug from the winners of the Princess of Asturias Award.

Five leading endocrinology experts from around the world have been awarded the 2024 Princess of Asturias Prize for Scientific and Technical Research. This award was received by Daniel J. Drucker, Jeffrey M. Friedman, Joel F. Habener, Jens Juul Holst and Svetlana Moisov. for the contribution their research has made to the discovery and development drugs such as Ozempic, Vegovi or Muniaro.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic, like Wegobi, is one of the drugs analogues of the gastrointestinal hormone GLP-1What improves blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. This drug, developed by the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk in 2012, contains semaglutin, which synthetically reproduces a hormone produced in the intestines that increases insulin secretion and causes a feeling of fullness..

When is Ozempic recommended?

This drug was developed to treat type 2 diabetes, although it has become popular online as an effective weight loss method and “cure” for obesity. This is because Ozempic reduces food intake by reducing appetite and slowing down digestion. However, experts note that his administration must be accompanied by diet and exercise, given that These are not miracle weight loss products.. Its use is recommended for those people whose body weight is ≥30 kg/m2 or ≥27 kg/m2 but suffers from other risk pathologies associated with obesity, such as hypertension or cardiovascular disease. It may also be prescribed as monotherapy to patients who cannot take metformin, or as an adjunct to other antidiabetic drugs. In addition, it is not suitable for people with type 1 diabetes, and its effect on people with pancreatitis and children under 18 years of age is unknown.

How much and how will you receive?

These types of medications can be purchased at any government pharmacy with a prescription. That is, its acquisition by doctor’s prescription. Although anyone with a private prescription can obtain Ozempic for a few 130 eurosHe The NHS funds the same drug for diabetics.. They will be able to buy a pen with four weekly injections for €4.24.

How is it done?

Ozempic Pre-filled Pens injected subcutaneously into the abdomen, thigh, or shoulder Press them firmly against the skin until the yellow streak stops. It should not be administered intravenously or intramuscularly. These weekly injections are intended for one-time use, and after a few weeks the dose is increased to a maximum of 2 mg once a week. Specifically, the starting dose is 0.25 mg once a week for the first four weeks, although the doctor will then increase the dose to 0.5 mg per week.

How it works?

Ozempic It consists of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist., which acts in our body in three ways. First, lowers blood glucose levels by stimulating insulin release pancreas and helps increase the number of pancreatic beta cells. Besides, slows down glucagon production, a hormone that promotes the release of carbohydrates and the synthesis of new glucose. Second, slows down digestion and reduces appetite, which has been proven to allow you to lose about 15% of your weight. However, this weight can be regained if you stop taking the medication. Finally, This helps prevent excessive sugar synthesis and release in the liver.

Side effects

Ozempic Administration may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and constipation. These side effects are very common at the beginning of treatment and decrease over time. However, the drug package insert indicates much more serious side effects, such as pancreatitis, blurred vision, hypoglycemia, kidney failure, gall bladder problems and possible thyroid tumors, even cancer.

Persons with an allergy to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Ozempic should not take this medicine. In addition, it is also not allowed for people who have had medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 in themselves or a family member.