Many boutique weight loss practices use the diabetes medication Ozempic off-label for weight loss. However, this can lead to stomach paralysis. This is when whole undigested pieces of food move into your intestines and can cause malnutrition, dehydration, and blockages in the bowel.

Developed to treat diabetes, semaglutide -- which is also available as Wegovy and Rybelsus tablets -- can help people lose weight when combined with exercise and diet. It's important to get adequate sleep and avoid overindulging.

What is Ozempic?

A weekly injectable drug called Ozempic is used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults when diet and exercise alone aren’t enough to keep blood sugar levels under control. But it’s also been widely prescribed off-label to help people lose weight and improve their health. Many celebrities have spoken out about their success with the medication, which is based on a hormone called GLP-1. GLP-1 helps stimulate the pancreas to release insulin, and it limits how much glucagon is released in response to glucose, which lowers blood sugar levels.

But there are concerns that taking the drug without a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can have harmful side effects. It can increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and people with a history of pancreatitis should not take it. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and issues with other organs. And when a person stops taking the medication, their suppressed appetite can go back to normal, leading them to feel hungry again and possibly regain lost weight.

Another concern is that it’s been linked to eating disorders. People who use the medication to try to lose weight without a medical reason for it may develop unhealthy relationships with food, body image issues and disordered eating patterns that can harm their mental health long-term. Some have reported suicidal thoughts while taking the drug.

There are also concerns that using the drug can raise the risk of thyroid cancer. The medication contains a substance that mimics a natural hormone, and studies suggest it may raise the risk of developing thyroid tumors. But more research is needed.

Finally, there are some people who should not use the drug, such as those with kidney problems or a history of vision problems caused by diabetes (diabetic retinopathy). The medication can also cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration.

In general, it’s best to give the injection on the same day every week. However, if you need to change the injection day, it’s important to make sure you have at least 48 hours between the last injection and the first one on the new day.

How Does Ozempic Work?

Ozempic Weight Loss works to suppress appetite and increase satiety. When used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise, it has been shown to be effective for weight loss in many people. In one study, people with obesity who took 2.4 milligrams of the drug a day lost an average of 34 pounds in 68 weeks. However, the drug comes with significant side effects and has some safety warnings.

The most common side effect of Ozempic is nausea. This is because it works in your gut and can disrupt your normal digestive process. Some people also experience acid reflux, or GERD, when taking the medication. You may need to avoid trigger foods like spicy, fried, or greasy meals if you want to manage this side effect.

Another common side effect is "Ozempic burps." These are odoriferous burps that smell and taste like rotten eggs. They happen because of the way the medication slows down your digestion and can cause sulfur to build up in your gut. Try drinking plenty of water to help flush your system.

If you're noticing these side effects, talk to your doctor. They may be able to reduce your dosage or switch you to a different medication that's less likely to cause them. It's also important to report any unusual or serious side effects you're having to the FDA, called MedWatch.

Some people who take Ozempic can have their appetites so suppressed that they become malnourished. Shah says she often advises patients to add multivitamins or protein supplements when they start on the medication to ensure they're getting enough nutrients.

Other people might quit treatment because of the GI side effects, or because they don't lose as much weight as they hoped. This can be a difficult pill to swallow, but it's important to recognize that it isn't just the medication that's making you not lose weight. It's underlying negative beliefs and attitudes about your body, food, and yourself that could be keeping you stuck at an unhealthy weight.

People should not take Ozempic if they have a history of severe allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face or throat, or of multiple endocrine neoplasias (cancers that affect your thyroid, pituitary gland, pancreas, and adrenal glands). It's also not safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

What Are the Side Effects of Ozempic?

Ozempic and its generic cousin, semaglutide, were developed as diabetes medications. They're injected once a week and stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin, which lowers blood sugar levels. In addition, they suppress appetite and slow the movement of food from the stomach to the intestines. That keeps you full longer and helps you lose weight. However, these drugs also cause some unpleasant side effects like nausea, gas, constipation and diarrhea.

The GI issues are a result of the medication's function in the gut, and they're common across clinical trials for both Type 2 diabetes patients and those who did not have the disease. They can also occur when you take a higher-dose version of the drug called Wegovy, which was approved by the FDA in 2021 for chronic weight management in people with diabetes and obesity.

In some cases, the GI effects can get severe enough that they interfere with your quality of life or prevent you from being able to eat well. That's why it's so important to talk to your doctor about symptom management. If you can't get relief through diet, exercise and over-the-counter treatments, your doctor may be able to adjust your dosage or switch medications.

Other possible side effects of Ozempic include low blood sugar, which can lead to blurred vision and can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. Your risk for low blood sugar is higher if you use the drug with another medicine that can lower your blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar can include a dry mouth, thirst, confusion or drowsiness, irritability, sweating, numbness in the hands or feet, fast heartbeat and feeling jittery.

Although some of these side effects can be a turnoff, doctors say most patients are able to overcome them with help from their care team and lifestyle changes. The key is to be prepared to take the drug long-term. That's how you'll get the most benefits and maintain your results. Besides helping with weight loss, the drug can lower your risk of kidney problems and other health conditions.

How Can I Take Ozempic?

Ozempic comes in a pen-style injection that can be used by mouth or injected under the skin on the stomach, thigh, or arm. Your doctor will start you on a low dose and gradually increase it over the course of four weeks. During this process, your doctor will work with you to determine the optimal dosage for your goals.

During this time, you should closely monitor your blood sugar levels and contact your doctor if they are too high or too low. You will need to adjust your dosage accordingly and may need to add or remove certain foods from your diet. You should also discuss whether any herbs or supplements you take are safe to use with Ozempic.

Some people may experience side effects, but most of them go away as your body becomes accustomed to the medication. GI issues are the most common, and they usually occur in the beginning of treatment or if your dose is increased too quickly. Other potential side effects include fatigue, headache, nausea and vomiting, and dizziness.

If you miss a dose of Ozempic, try to remember to take it within five days. But if more than that time has passed, skip the missed dose and continue with your weekly schedule. Never take two doses of the medication close together because it could lead to an overdose.

While using Ozempic, you should stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. This will help you avoid dehydration, which can occur if you have any of the symptoms associated with this medication, including diarrhea and nausea.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you should not give yourself the medication if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This is because Ozempic has caused thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer in animal studies, and it's not known if these results would be replicated in humans.

It's also important to let your doctor know if you develop any new vision problems while taking this medication. Ozempic has been reported to cause vision changes in some people, and this is especially true if you begin treatment with a higher dose.