Rapid growth of Ozempic It has grown in popularity over the past year. Therefore, in 2023 he can boast of a 23 percent increase in sales. This is good news for those who are finding relief from their symptoms with medication, but bad news for those who are still seeking medication.
As its popularity has grown, Ozempic has faced shortages, with its manufacturer, Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, unable to keep up with demand. In fact, the company’s CEO recently told CNN that it may take years to get the supply to keep up with demand.
So where can you turn if you’re having trouble acquiring Ozempic? Here are five Ozempic alternatives that may work depending on your intended use.
What is Ozempic?
Launched in 2017, Ozempic was originally developed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. It is a once-weekly injection approved by the FDA. Its active ingredient, semaglutide, is known as a GLP-1 agonist, meaning it stimulates the glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone, says Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, an obesity expert at Harvard University. To tell. men’s health Advisor. This hormone controls the body’s response to insulin and helps suppress appetite by slowing stomach emptying, as well as acting on the appetite center in the brain. This helps improve blood sugar control in diabetics.
This mechanism of use makes you feel fuller for longer after a meal. For this reason, Ozempic has recently become famous as a weight loss mechanism. Although it is becoming more common for doctors to prescribe this drug to people without diabetes as an anti-obesity drug, it is only approved by the FDA to treat diabetes.
Why do we need an Ozempic alternative?
There are several reasons why Ozempic may not work. Here are some.
shortage problem
As mentioned above, if the demand increases so much that the supply cannot keep up, you may have a hard time getting your hands on Ozempic, as shortage issues can occur.
side effects
The effects of medicines vary from person to person. Perhaps you have tried Ozempic in the past and had negative side effects to the drug. Possible side effects include vision problems, inflammation of the pancreas, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and constipation. Tell your doctor if you have recently experienced serious side effects.
does not respond to drugs
If you are taking Ozempic for weight loss, some people may not respond to the drug. “It’s not clear why some people react to it and why others don’t. I think that maybe some people don’t have dysregulation of the primary brain pathways involved in food regulation,” Kodi said.・Stanford says.
you hate needles
Ozempic is an injectable drug. That is, it is a self-administered medication that you apply to your stomach, thigh, or inside of your arm. If you don’t like needles, or you really don’t like pricking yourself, you may be looking for something that you can take orally.
Your family history does not allow you to take Ozempic
There are some diseases that you will not get if you participate in Ozempic. Dr. Cody Stanford says people who have or have a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, medullary thyroid cancer, or pancreatitis should not take any form of semaglutide.
Top 5 Ozempic Alternatives
For people with diabetes
Munjaro
Munharo may be one of the better-known replacements for Ozempic. Approved by the FDA for both diabetes treatment and weight loss, this drug has two mechanisms of action. Its active ingredient, tirzepatide, affects both GLP-1 and GIP receptors in the body, both of which are involved in stimulating insulin secretion. According to Cody Stanford, some research suggests that Munjaro may be more effective than Ozempic at lowering blood sugar levels.
Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, and abdominal pain. More serious complications include kidney failure and severe stomach problems.
Libersus
Rybelsus is also a GLP-1 drug that contains semaglutide, so it works by the same mechanism as Ozempic. The only difference between the two is their management. Libersus is an oral medication taken by mouth once a day, making it a potential candidate for people who don’t like needles.
Common side effects of this drug include upset stomach, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, runny nose, sore throat, headache, and dizziness. More serious complications may include inflammation of the pancreas, vision problems, kidney problems, allergic reactions, and gallbladder problems.
Trulicity
Trulicity is also an injectable medication that is self-administered weekly. This drug is also a GLP-1 agonist with the active ingredient dulaglutide.
Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fatigue. More serious symptoms include low blood sugar, inflammation of the pancreas, acute kidney problems, vision changes, gallbladder problems, and stomach problems.
for weight loss
wegobee
Wegovy is the first GLP-1 drug approved for long-term weight management in 2021. It uses the same active ingredient as Ozempic, semaglutide. It is also an injectable medication that is self-administered weekly.
Common side effects of Wegovy include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue (malaise), dizziness, bloating, gastritis, and heartburn. More serious side effects include thyroid tumors and cancer.
zep bound
Zepbound was just approved by the FDA for anti-obesity use in November 2023. Similar to Mounjaro, it is tirzepatide with its dual mode of action on both GLP-1 and GIP hormones. Studies have shown that tirzepatide is even more successful than semaglutide in managing weight in patients without diabetes.
Common side effects of Zepbound include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal discomfort. More serious side effects may include thyroid tumors and cancer.
Alternatives to weight loss without drugs
Although these drugs may seem effective for weight management, they are not a panacea. For the medicine to work properly, you must eat a healthy, balanced diet and exercise up to the recommended amount. Additionally, if you stop strength training while taking these medications, you run the risk of losing muscle mass.
Additionally, you won’t continue to lose weight after you finish taking the medication. Studies have found that weight regain is significant when semaglutide is discontinued. There are several ways to lose weight without prescription drugs. Natural weight loss is possible by finding a diet and exercise program that suits you and your needs. Consult your doctor or registered dietitian to find the weight loss system that’s right for you.
Cori Ritchey, NASM-CPT, is the Health & Fitness Associate Editor at Men’s Health and a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor. You can see more of her work at HealthCentral, Livestrong, Self, and more.
Dr. Rohit R. Kedia is an endocrinologist with Facey Medical Group, a Providence affiliate in Valencia, California. He specializes in patients with diabetes and obesity.
