How Does Ozempic Cause Weight Loss?

Ozempic (semaglutide) promotes weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes by mimicking a hormone that affects blood sugar and feelings of hunger/satiety. The popular drug has helped numerous people achieve their health and wellness goals. It’s been estimated that around 12% of people in the United States have taken Ozempic or a similar medication to manage their diabetes or lose weight.

Despite the health benefits, there are concerns about health issues linked to the use of Ozempic. Below we’ll provide an explanation of how Ozempic causes weight loss, if the weight will come back when patients stop taking Ozempic, and some serious gastrointestinal complications that have affected the lives of some Ozempic patients.

If you took Ozempic and experienced major medical problems that affect your gastrointestinal health, you need to speak with the attorneys at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. Our legal team can review your situation and let you know if you qualify for a lawsuit. Set up a free consultation today.

 

About Ozempic (Semaglutide)

Ozempic is the brand name of an injectable semaglutide medication that received initial FDA approval for diabetes treatment in 2017. Like many of the popular diabetes and weight loss drugs on the market, Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1).

Was Ozempic Made to Treat Obesity?

No. Ozempic was originally developed to help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. During the use of Ozempic, patients also noticed significant weight loss.

While there is semaglutide specifically made for losing weight (Wegovy), the demand let to off-label prescriptions of Ozempic to treat obesity.

How Ozempic Works: Managing Type 2 Diabetes and Promoting Weight Loss

GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone in the body that helps regulate blood sugar and feelings of hunger. GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic mimic this hormone, which improves blood sugar levels and provides a number of other benefits that lead to weight loss.

Improved Satiety: Slower Digestion and Feeling Fuller for Longer Periods

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic help slow down the digestion process. As food moves through the gastrointestinal system more slowly, it helps people feel fuller for longer periods of the day.

Reduced Calorie Consumption: Eating Less While Burning More Calories

Since Ozempic patients feel full for longer periods of time, they wind up eating less each day. Fewer calories coming in means the body will burn existing calories for fuel. Over time, this leads to the loss of excess body weight.

Ozempic vs. Wegovy vs. Rybelsus: Understanding the Difference

In addition to Ozempic, Novo Nordisk also makes two other popular semaglutide products marketed under the names Wegovy and Rybelsus. There are important differences between these drugs and Ozempic.

Wegovy Injections

Wegovy is an injectable GLP-1 medication specifically designed for weight loss rather than the management of type 2 diabetes. The dosage for Wegovy is typically higher than that of Ozempic, but both drugs are taken once a week.

Rybelsus Tablets

Rybelsus is an oral medication taken to treat type 2 diabetes. While Ozempic patients will take the shot once a week, Rybelsus tablets are taken orally every day.

How Effective Is Ozempic for Weight Loss?

Ozempic and Wegovy are effective at promoting weight loss, though new studies suggest that Mounjaro and Zepbound (made by Eli Lilly and Company) could be more effective.

According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Ozempic/Wegovy patients tend to lose around 14% of their body weight. By comparison, patients on Mounjaro and Zepbound lost around 20% of their body weight.

It is worth noting that the cited study was funded by Eli Lilly and Company, and that further research into the effectiveness of these medications is ongoing.

Will I Regain Weight If I Stop Taking Ozempic?

Yes. If you stop taking GLP-1, your feelings of hunger will return and you will consume more calories, resulting in weight gain. However, the amount of weight an Ozempic patient regains after they stop taking the drug can vary.

Many semaglutide patients will still be a lower weight after they stop taking the drug than before they started treatment. As noted in a report from Scientific American, studies have found that Ozempic patients will still be around 4% to 5% lighter than they were after they stop taking semaglutide and regain weight.

The lasting weight loss following the weight rebound can have long-term health benefits when coupled with other positive lifestyle changes.

Other Medications Similar to Ozempic

Ozempic is not the only popular drug used to treat type 2 diabetes and promote weight loss. Like Kleenex and Xerox, Ozempic is a brand name that people have used to refer to GLP-1 medications.

In addition to Wegovy and Rybelsus, these are other medications people take that are lumped into the catch-all term “Ozempic”:

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
• Zepbound (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
• Saxenda (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Victoza (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Trulicity (dulaglutide from Eli Lilly and Company)

The above diabetes and weight loss injections function much the same way as Ozempic: balancing blood sugar, slowing digestion, reducing appetite, and limiting calorie consumption.

Common Side Effects Experienced by Ozempic Patients

Some of the most common side effects that Ozempic patients experience include:

• Reduced appetite
• Fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Upset stomach

These side effects are at times inconvenient but should only last for the first few weeks on Ozempic. As the body becomes accustomed to semaglutide, the side effects should abate or at least become more tolerable and less disruptive.

Serious Health Complications Associated with Ozempic Injections

While many Ozempic patients experience health benefits from semaglutide injections, some patients will experience serious health complications from taking the drug. Potential health complications from taking Ozempic include:

• Severe and prolonged vomiting
• Changes in eyesight (often related to worsening diabetic retinopathy)
• Gallstones and gallbladder disease
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Stomach paralysis (gastroparesis)
• Intestinal blockage or bowel obstruction (ileus)

There is also some speculation that Ozempic could increase the risk of thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer, though research has yet to find a direct connection.

Ozempic Patients and Severe Gastrointestinal Problems: Potential Health Risks

While many Ozempic patients have benefited from semaglutide injections and tablets, there are some patients who have developed adverse health issues from the drug. Some of the most worrying medical issues involve severe complications that affect the gastrointestinal tract.

Below is some important information about frequent vomiting, stomach paralysis, intestinal paralysis, and bowel obstruction. This includes an overview of these GI problems, common symptoms, and the risks to an Ozempic patient’s health and wellness.

Severe Vomiting from Ozempic: What You Should Know

While some nausea and vomiting from Ozempic use is normal, prolonged severe vomiting is not. Severe vomiting means that you are vomiting several times a day or more, and that these bouts of vomiting last for more than two weeks.

The Dangers of Prolonged Vomiting

Prolonged bouts of vomiting for multiple weeks on end can lead to extreme irritation and possible injury to the esophagus. In addition, the higher acidity of the mouth can cause acidic erosion of the tooth enamel. This dental health issue can contribute to increased tooth sensitivity and a greater risk of tooth decay, root canal infections, and tooth loss.

While Ozempic is intended to slow down the digestive process, the next three GI complications we’ll look at disrupt, interrupt, and possibly halt the digestive process altogether.

Stomach Paralysis from Ozempic: What You Should Know

Also known as gastroparesis, stomach paralysis is a condition in which the nerves and muscles of the stomach fail to push food into the small intestine to continue the digestion process. That means food and any liquid you’ve consumed remain trapped in the stomach.

Common Warning Signs and Symptoms of Stomach Paralysis

The most common symptoms of stomach paralysis are as follows:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Indigestion
• Stomach pain, especially around the upper abdomen
• Abdominal bloating
• Total loss of appetite
• Heartburn
• Constipation

If you experience any of the above symptoms of stomach paralysis, be sure to seek medical attention ASAP.

The Dangers of Stomach Paralysis

Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, untreated stomach paralysis can contribute to malnutrition, dehydration, the formation of a bezoar (a solid mass in the stomach), and many other severe medical issues.

Intestinal Blockage from Ozempic: What You Should Know

A blocked intestine is an obstruction that develops in a person’s small or part of the large intestine. The obstruction prevents food from passing through the gastrointestinal tract for normal digestion and excretion.

Intestinal blockages are sometimes the result of ileus, which means that the muscles of the intestines stop pushing food through the GI tract for digestion. A blocked intestine could also be the result of a bezoar that passed from the stomach into the small intestine and continued down the GI tract until it got stuck.

Common Warning Signs and Symptoms of Intestinal Blockage

The most common symptoms of a blocked intestine are as follows:

• Abdominal cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Bulging in the abdomen
• Bloating
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Lack of appetite
• Constipation
• Inability to pass gas

If you experience any of the above symptoms of a blocked intestine, be sure to seek medical attention ASAP.

The Dangers of Intestinal Blockage

Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, an untreated intestinal blockage could cause death of the surrounding intestinal tissue and infection of the patient’s abdominal cavity (peritonitis). Both of these health conditions could be fatal, so be mindful of the symptoms of intestinal blockage.

Bowel Obstruction from Ozempic: What You Should Know

An obstructed bowel is similar to a blocked intestine, though the blockage is located in the large intestine or the colon. Much like blockages found in the small intestine, bowel obstruction is often caused by ileus or the movement of a bezoar through a person’s digestive tract.

Common Warning Signs and Symptoms of Bowel Obstruction

The most common symptoms of an obstructed bowel are as follows:

• Abdominal cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Lack of appetite
• Constipation
• Inability to pass gas

If you experience any of the above symptoms of an obstructed bowel, be sure to seek medical attention ASAP.

The Dangers of Bowel Obstruction

Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, a bowel obstruction could lead to tissue death, peritonitis, or sepsis. All of these conditions can similarly prove fatal, which is why you need to seek medical care as soon as you notice any symptoms of bowel obstruction.

What to Do If You Experience GI Problems from Ozempic

After getting urgent medical care, it’s imperative that you speak with your doctor about long-term impacts on your health and wellness.

Following a major GI health complication, it is also worth consulting with our team of experienced lawyers about potentially filing a lawsuit against the makers of Ozempic.

Can I File a Lawsuit for Ozempic-Related Medical Problems?

If you suffered serious health problems after taking Ozempic, you are not alone. You may be eligible to take legal action against Novo Nordisk for the complications you developed as a result of taking Ozempic or their other GLP-1 medications.

The lawyers of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can provide answers to your questions about litigation related to Ozempic as well as similar and popular medications such as Mounjaro and Zepbond.

Our Law Firm Will Determine Your Eligibility to File a Legal Claim

To be represented by our law firm, injured Ozempic patients must meet specific criteria regarding their medical complications.

The attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. will carefully screen for certain conditions and review your case when you contact us for a free evaluation.

Damages in an Ozempic Complication Lawsuit

Damages in an Ozempic injury case can cover the cost of hospitalization and emergency medical care, ongoing medical expenses related to Ozempic use, and any long-term impact on an Ozempic patient’s quality of life.

Keep in mind that the amount of damages awarded in an Ozempic lawsuit is determined on an individual client basis. To find out how much your legal claim could be worth, it’s best to discuss what happened with the GLP-1 lawsuit attorneys at Bursor & Fisher, P.A.

How Ozempic Patients Can Learn More About Their Legal Options

For more information about seeking compensation from the makers of Ozempic and Zepbound, contact Bursor & Fisher, P.A. Your case evaluation is free.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. has represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans. Our law firm is a nationwide leader in complex, high-stakes litigation.

Our lawyers have secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts over the years, which includes actions against pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers like Novo Nordisk. We’re ready to speak to you.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is not a medical provider. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.