Ozempic can interact with insulin and other insulin-releasing medications, like sulfonylureas and glinides. It may also potentially affect how you absorb medications you take by mouth.
It is recommended that you take Ozempic before meals, rather than after, to minimise any potential side effects from eating high-fat or high-sugar foods. Foods high in fat or sugar include candy, ice cream, doughnuts, processed meats, french fries, fried chicken, any other fried foods, crisps and other fatty snacks.
Other medicines—Do not take other medicines during the time you are using semaglutide unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes nonprescription medicines such as aspirin, and medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems.
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) can cause side effects that some people are unable to tolerate. Following dosing guidelines can help manage these side effects. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most common semaglutide side effects.
Alcohol can negatively affect your blood glucose levels while taking Ozempic, causing them to drop too low (hypoglycemia).
There is no “recommended” amount of alcohol that someone should drink. However, there is no direct drug interaction between consuming alcohol and using Ozempic.
Foods and drinks like soda, ice cream, candy, chocolates, and other desserts can cause blood sugar spikes and will wreak havoc on your A1C. This can also make weight maintenance and/or loss more difficult. It is best to avoid these when taking Ozempic.
“Ozempic face” is a term for common side effects of the type 2 diabetes medication semaglutide (Ozempic). It can cause sagging and aging of facial skin. A doctor may recommend lifestyle modifications or facial fillers to treat these effects.
How Long Can You Stay on Ozempic (semaglutide)? A person can stay on Ozempic® so long as they are tolerating the medication and it is deemed appropriate by their treating provider. There is no specific time frame when someone should stop taking Ozempic as it is a medication that is intended for chronic (long-term) use.
One theory is that the drug can reduce your appetite, so you may start eating fewer calories and therefore your body has less fuel and will feel tired as a result. It may also affect your sleep, which can tank your energy levels.
You've hit a plateau
It's normal to eventually hit a point where your weight loss slows down, especially if you're not working on keeping or building up your muscle mass. Losing muscle along with fat slows your metabolism and can slow down your weight loss.
Ozempic is a relatively safe drug to take in combination with other prescription medications. Patients should be cautious, however, when taking Ozempic alongside insulin or a sulfonylurea as it might cause low blood sugar.
While insomnia is not listed as a common side effect of Ozempic, some people have reported experiencing sleep issues while taking the medication. In clinical trials, insomnia was reported in less than 1% of patients taking Ozempic.
For those on the drug, Rubin recommends increasing your intake of lean protein such as chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, beans, soy and low-fat dairy.
Avoid trans fats and saturated fats (whole milk, butter, cream, cheese, ice cream, red meats). Replace with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (fish, olive oil, nuts).
If people are unable to eat enough while on the drug, he decreases the dose or tells them to stop taking the medication altogether. No standard nutritional guidelines have yet been established for patients taking Ozempic or other medications that work similarly, like Wegovy and Mounjaro.
Some individuals may actually gain more weight after stopping an obesity drug than they initially lost, Conde-Knape added. Studies have similarly shown weight rebound in people who stop taking Ozempic.
Experts said they consider Ozempic and Wegovy to be lifelong medications.
So, on average, with the recommended starting Ozempic dose of 0.25 mg, a 500 to 1000 calorie reduced diet, and exercise 3 times a week, you can expect to lose 3-5 pounds in the first month of treatment, which works out to about 3% of body weight for most overweight or obese individuals.
The drugs also come with a warning that they may increase the risk of thyroid cancer, acute pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, low blood sugar, kidney injury, damage to the eye's retina and suicidal thinking or behavior.
In rare cases, the use of Ozempic may cause anxiety and mood swings, irritability, shakiness, and confusion. However, when you take other medications along with Ozempic, it may escalate anxiety or mood change. Hence, discuss these potential issues with your physician beforehand to avoid any side effects.
Many have reported losing substantial weight after taking the trendy drug semaglutide, which has the brand name Ozempic or Wegovy. But plastic surgeons say they're seeing a rise in patients coming in with saggy, loose skin that appears after dramatic weight loss — a phenomenon known as "Ozempic face" or "Ozempic body."
Protein-rich foods, whole grains, nuts, and legumes, support the benefits of Ozempic and may help you reach your health goals.
Ozempic is an injectable medication and is usually injected once a week, with or without meals.