Ozempic
The Truth About Ozempic and Mounjaro Injections for Weight Loss!
1. Do these injections really reduce weight? How do they work?
Yes, they do reduce weight in most obese patients and in those with diabetes. Weight loss tends to be greater in individuals with obesity without diabetes.
While the average weight reduction ranges from 16% to 21% after about 70 weeks at the highest dose among obese individuals, it averages 11% to 16% among obese patients with diabetes.
The weight loss occurs primarily due to a reduction in appetite, caused by the drug’s action on appetite-control centers in the brain.
2. Are these injections for diabetes or for obesity?
The active ingredient is the same in both cases but marketed under different names and at higher doses for obesity than for diabetes treatment.
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Ozempic is used for diabetes, up to a dose of 2 mg.
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Wegovy is used for obesity, up to 2.4 mg.
Both contain the same compound: Semaglutide.
Similarly:
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Mounjaro is used for diabetes,
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Zepbound is used for obesity,
both at doses up to 15 mg, and both contain the same active ingredient: Tirzepatide.
3. What are the main side effects of these injections?
The most common side effect is nausea, which varies in severity from person to person and tends to lessen gradually as the dose increases.
Dose escalation should not occur more often than every four weeks.
Other side effects include vomiting, severe diarrhea, or severe constipation, which may require stopping the medication or reducing the dose.
4. Do these injections cause thyroid or pancreatic cancer?
In animal studies, a rare type of thyroid cancer called Medullary Cell Carcinoma was observed. However, no cases have been reported in humans.
Therefore, these injections should not be used by individuals who have a personal or family history of this specific thyroid cancer. Other types of thyroid cancers are not a concern.
There were also concerns about pancreatic cancer, but comparative studies have not confirmed any link.
5. What are the serious side effects of these injections?
A very small percentage of users may develop acute pancreatitis.
Therefore, these injections are not recommended for people with:
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A previous history of pancreatitis
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Gallstones
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Very high triglyceride levels
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Heavy alcohol consumption
Acute pancreatitis presents with severe abdominal pain, intense vomiting, and marked elevation of pancreatic enzymes.
6. Do these injections cause bowel paralysis?
These injections slow gastric and intestinal movement, and in rare cases, they can cause temporary gastric paralysis, especially in type 1 diabetes patients who suffer from nerve damage, particularly to the digestive nerves.
It’s important to note that these injections are not approved for use in type 1 diabetes.
7. Is all the lost weight from body fat?
No. Unfortunately, about 40% of the weight lost comes from muscle mass, particularly muscles of the thighs, hips, and shoulders.
This can lead to general weakness, and muscle mass may not fully recover after stopping treatment.
This is especially risky for older adults, since growth hormone levels decline with age.
Reduced muscle mass also lowers calorie expenditure, increasing the risk of weight regain.
8. How can muscle loss be prevented while using these injections?
To preserve muscle mass:
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Increase protein intake to 1–1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight daily.
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Engage in muscle-strengthening exercises, especially for the thighs and shoulders.
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Perform at least 20 minutes of exercise daily.
9. Does weight return after stopping these injections?
Yes. Weight typically returns to its previous level after stopping treatment, and most of the regained weight comes from body fat, not muscle.
10. Do the oral forms of Ozempic have the same effect on weight and blood sugar?
An oral version of the same active ingredient is available under the name Rybelsus.
However, its effects on weight loss and blood sugar control are significantly weaker than the injectable form.
It has the same side effects and must be taken about 30 minutes before breakfast, or it will lose its effect.
11. Do these injections have other medical benefits?
Yes. In patients who have suffered heart attacks or strokes, these injections reduce the risk of recurrence.
They also lower blood pressure and slow kidney function decline in diabetic patients.
12. Can I buy these injections from the pharmacy and use them to lose weight or treat diabetes?
Absolutely not.
These injections must only be used under medical supervision by a specialist in endocrinology, diabetes, and obesity—
not by a nutritionist or a general practitioner without specialization in these fields.
I hope these answers are helpful to anyone considering these injections for diabetes management or weight loss.
(If you found this information useful, share it with someone who might be thinking about using these injections to lose weight.)