A new Ozempic diabetes medicine was approved for use in the USA in 2017, and in Australia in 2020.
It is intended to improve blood sugar control in adults suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic diabetes medicine gives new hope to those who have already tried other diabetes treatments but didn’t succeed. Therefore, it is usually prescribed after other unsuccessful medications.
Ozempic injection in diabetes is available as pre-filled disposable pen syringes with different content of semaglutide, an active substance solution.
One Ozempic injection is administered once a week. In this way, it differs from insulin, the effectiveness of which is from 8 to 24 hours (the so-called long-acting insulin).
Experts recommended the medcine in combination with diet and exercise.
How does Ozempic work for insulin resistance
So far, no drugs have been registered in modern pharmaceuticals specifically approved for treating insulin resistance.
The effect of Ozempic in insulin resistance results from that it is not insulin or its substitute. The medicine lowers blood glucose levels by stimulating the pancreas to produce insulin, depending on glucose levels. The practice of administering the medicine shows that the insulin secretion rate is about the same in patients with type 2 diabetes as in healthy people when treating with Ozempic.
Ozempic for prediabetes
For most people with prediabetes, Ozempic (semaglutide) does not jeopardize.
Many patients use Ozempic as an effective drug for weight loss. They do not have type I or type II diabetes and have normal blood glucose levels. Therefore, the effect of the medicine should be positive for people with prediabetes.
However, in any case, you need to consult your doctor before taking Ozempic.
Ozempic for type 2 diabetes
The manufacturer’s instructions for administering Ozempic® clearly indicate that the medicine exists to treat type 2 diabetes in adults.
Ozempic and type 1 diabetes
Ozempic has not yet been approved by regulatory authorities of leading countries of the world (including the USA) to treat type 1 diabetes. No comprehensive clinical studies have been conducted on this topic. However, healthcare professionals state that Ozempic can be prescribed to treat some cases of type 1 diabetes. Currently, research is underway on the possibility of using semaglutide to treat patients with type 1 diabetes.
For example, a case was recorded when semaglutide had reduced the average glucose level from the initial 10.8 mmol/l to 8.1 mmol/l in a woman with type 1 diabetes. At the same time, the variability of glucose levels improved. Researchers associate this result with the effect of Ozempic on glucagon secretion.
Is Ozempic insulin?
No, it is not. Ozempic and insulin are two completely different medicines. They can be administered simultaneously to treat type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic (semaglutide) is an analog of glucagon-like peptide 1 and belongs to this class of medicines. It helps to lower blood sugar levels. In addition, it reduces A1C (glycated haemoglobin) test values, which reflect your average blood sugar level over the previous two to three months.
One should not oppose Ozempic vs. insulin or try to determine which medicine is more effective. They treat patients for diabetes, each in its way.
Ozempic with insulin
When administering Ozempic and insulin together, it is forbidden to mix these medicines.
They should be administered as separate injections, preferably in different parts of the body. Injections are allowed in the same body parts. However, they must be injected at a distance from each other.
Can I reuse Ozempic needles?
The manufacturer insists that patients always use a new needle for each injection. It is not allowed to reuse disposable needles delivered with an Ozempic syringe pen.
It is forbidden to share the same needle with other patients not to pass or catch a disease or infection.
Conclusion
Ozempic is a new medicine intended to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. Weight loss is another therapeutic effect of this drug.
Ozempic effectively reduces blood glucose levels by stimulating the pancreas to produce insulin depending on glucose levels. At the same time, it is not insulin and does not belong to the group of insulin preparations. Its action is based on different mechanisms.
Ozempic is injected using a pre-filled pen-injector and particularly thin disposable needles. It is injected once a week and effects seven days.
Ozempic can also be prescribed to people who are overweight and obese, but do not suffer from diabetes.
