Ozempic is an injectable prescription medicine used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Ozempic works by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1 that increases feelings of satiety and slows digestion, which can decrease appetite and help with weight loss. However, Ozempic is not approved for weight loss, but some physicians may prescribe it off-label for weight loss or weight management.

Positive aspects of Ozempic include its ability to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attack, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease. Ozempic is also designed to be taken long-term and is safe and effective when used as indicated for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes.

Negative aspects of Ozempic include the risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans. Ozempic is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) . Patients should be counseled regarding the potential risk for MTC with the use of Ozempic and informed of symptoms of thyroid tumors. Routine monitoring of serum calcitonin or using thyroid ultrasound is of uncertain value for early detection of MTC in patients treated with Ozempic.

Ingredients of Ozempic include semaglutide, a human GLP-1 receptor agonist (or GLP-1 analog), and the peptide backbone is produced by yeast fermentation. The main protraction mechanism of semaglutide is albumin binding, facilitated by modification of position 26 lysine with a hydrophilic spacer and a C18 fatty di-acid.

To summarize, Ozempic is an injectable prescription medicine used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Ozempic can help with weight loss, but it is not approved for weight loss. Ozempic is safe and effective when used as indicated for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes, but it carries a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors.