Stepping into the realm of weight loss medication might feel like venturing into uncharted territory. Ozempic is a medicine that has the potential to be a very useful tool for weight loss in conjunction with lifestyle changes.
What is Ozempic, though, and how long may you take it if your doctor prescribes it?
Ozempic is one of several medications that may be prescribed to you by your cloudcure care team, if appropriate for you. Ozempic’s active components are distinct from those of other diabetes drugs, such as Mounjaro and Metformin, which you may be familiar with.
Patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher, who suffer from type 2 diabetes or a combination of chronic obesity and related diseases, are the most common recipients of this medicine. In addition to lowering blood sugar, Ozempic has been shown to help people manage their weight when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise. The chance of serious cardiovascular events can also be reduced.
How long can you take Ozempic?
cloudcure’s care team may recommend a variety of medications, including Ozempic, depending on your specific condition. As long as the patient continues to respond well to Ozempic and their healthcare professional sees no reason to discontinue treatment, the medicine may continue.
Particularly if used for weight loss, continued use for weight maintenance is recommended because of the commonality of weight rebound after such an effort.
Is it possible to stop Ozempic at any time?
It’s never a good idea to abruptly stop taking a medicine without first discussing it with your cloudcure team. There are no withdrawal symptoms associated with discontinuing Ozempic, but there are other potential health problems. If you have diabetes and take Ozempic, your blood sugar levels may fluctuate rapidly. If your doctor recommended Ozempic to aid in weight loss, you may experience a rebound effect in the form of weight gain once you stop taking it.
What happens when you stop taking Ozempic?
If you’ve been using Ozempic to manage your weight and decide to quit, you’ll likely gain some of the weight back, especially if you don’t have any kind of continuous support or make any changes to your lifestyle.
Two-thirds of the weight that was lost while taking Ozempic was restored within a year after patients stopped taking the drug, according to a study conducted in 2022. Because of this, many doctors advise their patients to continue taking Ozempic.
However, if you have made major adjustments to your diet and exercise routine and you suddenly stop taking the medicine, it is unlikely that you will return all of your prior body mass.
In Canada, is Ozempic approved for weight loss?
Ozempic has been accepted for use in the treatment of diabetes in Canada. Ozempic’s active ingredient, semaglutide, is the same medication sold under the brand name Wegovy for weight loss. Health Canada has licenced Wegovy for use in weight loss, however it is not currently commercially accessible in Canada.
If you would like more information about how to get Ozempic online in Canada, speak to your cloudcure health practitioner by joining a program today.