Semaglutide - the Injection to Lose Weight?

The drug ‘Ozempic’ for weight loss is on many people's lips due to its media presence. Since it was approved by the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Ozempic weight-loss injection has experienced massive popularity, which, among other things, means it is scarcely available in Germany. But besides the Ozempic pen, there is an another weight-loss injection that is marketed by the manufacturer Novo Nordisk under the name 'Wegovy'. This is also approved by the EMA but is applied slightly differently. However, it is not yet available in Germany. Read all the information below about the process of application, the effect, the risks and side effects, and why many are critical of this craze.

What Is Semaglutide and How Does the Weight Loss Injection Work?

Ozempic and Wegovy are both based on the same active ingredient called 'semaglutide', which is a Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist or GLP-1 analogue, of which the active ingredients liraglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide and lixisentide are also examples. GLP-1 is an intestinal hormone that is naturally released after the intake of food. Semaglutide increases the amount of insulin released in the pancreas, which helps to lower and control blood glucose levels. This is accompanied by a reduction in appetite and a slower emptying of the stomach.

Ozempic and Wegovy: the End of Any Weight Problems?

It should be stressed that both semaglutide weight-loss injections are prescription-only and are approved for a very narrow patient group. But even then, any dreams of it being a panacea in the fight against the pounds would be completely stifled if it weren't for the off-label use by celebrity supporters like Elon Musk or Kim Kardashian, and of course the supportive push by health experts who received grants for them. Like most drugs, semaglutide has side effects that can be very significant in individual cases. Therefore, the sales promotion of semaglutide as harmless, especially in the off-label area, is very questionable.

Who Is Semaglutide Suitable for?

While Wegovy is actually approved for weight reduction in patients with a BMI of over 30 – or over 27 if they have any relevant pre-existing health conditions – the Ozempic injection is approved for type 2 diabetics to regulate blood sugar levels.

Ozempic is already available on prescription in pharmacies in Germany, though delivery issues mean it is frequently sold out. And since Wegovy's market entry into Germany is planned for mid-2023, weight-loss injections could remain hard to come by.

Despite the media sometimes portraying weight-loss injections in trivial and harmless ways, we strongly warn against buying any non-prescription semaglutide on the internet. If you would like to lose weight and without medication, please contact our friendly patient managers about a gastric balloon or the POSE-2 procedure for a non-invasive reduction of the stomach.

What Is the Difference Between Ozempic and Wegovy?

The main difference between the two weight-loss injection drugs is the dosage: while the maximum dose for Ozempic is 1 milligramme, for Wegovy it is 2.4 milligrammes.

Both medicines are available only on prescription. Ozempic for weight loss is currently not approved; it is only administered for blood sugar control for type 2 diabetes (though it is by no means a replacement for an insulin dosage), while Wegovy is approved as a weight-loss injection.

How Is Semaglutide Used?

Ozempic and Wegovy are available as an injection solution in a pre-filled syringe (or pen). Once a week, the active substance is injected under the skin on the abdomen, thigh or upper arm itself. The dose should be slowly increased over several weeks to the dose prescribed by the doctor in order to reduce the Wegovy or Ozempic side effects.

How Much Does Ozempic Cost?

An Ozempic pen is available in 0.25, 0.5 and 1-milligramme doses. The Ozempic price is currently around €220 for three syringes. However, you cannot buy Ozempic without a prescription, and because of the supply bottlenecks, German pharmacists are currently advised to make sure that they only dispense the drug to type 2 diabetics, preventing any off-label use as a weight-loss injection.

Wegovy is not yet available in Germany, but the price should be somewhat higher than that of an Ozempic injection, if going by the price differences seen in the USA.

What Are the Side Effects of the Weight-loss Injections?

All GLP-1 receptor agonists have similar effects and side effects. The most common side effects (more than 1 in 10 people) are:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Dizziness

• Increased heart rate

• Headache

• Gastrointestinal complaints

How Successful Are Ozempic and Wegovy?

Studies have shown that Ozempic has a positive effect on blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics. It has also been shown to reduce the risk of serious complications associated with diabetes, such as heart attack or stroke. The frequent side effect of weight loss contributes positively to the health of diabetics.

With the help of various studies, it was shown that a large part of the overweight study participants lost at least 5% of their weight with Wegovy. The weight lost increased the longer Wegovy was used. This was proven in a study in which 902 patients lost 5% of their weight over 20 weeks using Wegovy, and over another 48 weeks the Wegovy group lost an additional 8%. The placebo group regained their lost weight during this time.

Conclusion

Even though both semaglutide injections promise positive effects – with many tolerable side effects – there are still no long-term studies to monitor the effect over many years.

The fact that in Germany, for example, type 2 diabetics are often denied the use of Ozempic injections merely because of delivery problems is irritating when at the same time American celebrities publicly report the off-label use of semaglutide as a weight-loss injection with enthusiasm.

Important Advice for the Reader

Always consult a doctor: before you decide to use semaglutide medication, it is important that you consult with a doctor, who can assess your individual situation, weigh up potential risks and determine whether these medicines are suitable for you.

Semaglutide is not a magic solution: semaglutide injections alone are not enough to help you lose weight permanently. You should consider the injections as part of a comprehensive weight-management plan that includes a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

Be aware of side effects: as with any medication, semaglutide injections can cause side effects. The most common of these have already been mentioned, but it is important to watch out for possible adverse reactions and discuss them with your doctor.

Long-term effects and studies: although early studies show promising results, there is still limited information on the long-term effects and safety of semaglutide medication. Further long-term studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of these injections on weight loss and overall health.

Individual results may vary: everyone's body is unique, and the response to semaglutide injections may vary from person to person. Some people may experience impressive results, while others may notice less-significant changes. It is important to have realistic expectations and not rely solely on other people's experiences.

Weight loss as part of a healthy lifestyle: weight loss is an important aspect of health, but it should always be considered as part of a healthy lifestyle. Talk to your doctor about long-term weight-loss strategies based on healthy eating, regular exercise and sustainable lifestyle changes.

In conclusion, it is important that you make well-informed decisions about your health, which is why you must talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you have about semaglutide medication. Get full advice to make the best possible decision for your individual situation.

Sources:

European Medicines Agency (2023): Wegovy https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/wegovy. Zuletzt aufgerufen am 7.6.23

European Medicines Agency (2023): Ozempic https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/ozempic. Zuletzt aufgerufen am 7.6.23

The Guardian (12.3.23): Orchestrated PR campaign’: how skinny jab drug firm sought to shape obesity debate (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/12/orchestrated-pr-campaign-how-skinny-jab-drug-firm-sought-to-shape-obesity-debate) . Zuletzt aufgerufen am 7.6.23