Why Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs are being more readily used for weight loss.
The brand name Ozempic has exploded in pop culture in the past few years as shorthand for the latest craze in weight loss treatment. But it’s not exactly as new as that recent boom might suggest. Ozempic is a brand name for the injectable drug semaglutide that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for type 2 diabetes in 2017.
However, Ozempic has not been approved for chronic weight management treatment. The semaglutide that has been approved for weight loss management is actually called Wegovy; it was granted FDA approval in 2021. Both Ozempic and Wegovy are produced by the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.
No matter the name, semaglutide is part of a class of drugs that contains a synthetic version of the naturally-occurring hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (commonly referred to as GLP-1), which regulates blood sugar, digestion, and appetite. GLP-1’s can help with food noise by affecting the brain’s appetite-regulating centers, slowing digestion, and by making people feel full longer. This can be especially beneficial to those who experience heightened food noise, which is having con stant, obsessive thoughts about food that are difficult to suppress, like thinking about what to eat, how much to eat, or when the next meal will be.
Today, people can find these GLP-1 drugs more easily than ever by consulting with a clinician. Kimberly Hentges, the clinic manager at Genesis Medspa in Jefferson City, says there’s been no shortage of local patients looking to learn the ins and outs of using semaglutide.
“We have seen a huge influx in interest over the last year to year and a half probably,” Kimberly says. “Clients are more educated these days. They know what’s out there; they do their own research, so pop culture heavily influences that.”
Before receiving treatment, clients at Genesis Medspa start with full wellness consultations to get educated on what GLP-1 drugs are all about. Kimberly explains that GLP-1 helps people feel full faster, slows the digestive tract, and crucially triggers the release of insulin. However, taking semaglutide will not bottom out blood sugars for non-diabetics, making it safe for broader use.
With drastic weight changes, side effects such as nausea, constipation, dehydration, and heartburn can occur. Kimberly says Genesis Medspa slowly progresses in its treatments to avoid these side effects.
“It’s very rewarding to see clients get to their goal weight and to see that they have kind of a new look on life.”
—Kimberly Henteges, Clinic Manager, Genesis Medspa
Whether used for diabetes or weight management, semaglutide is taken via injections, usually weekly. This schedule is typically the most effective, and studies show that people who take semaglutide can lose up to 15% of their body weight. In addition to tracking their weight loss, clients also track their progress by monitoring muscle mass and water content.
“Our goal is to really keep your (gastrointestinal) tract moving because, obviously, this (GLP-1) is slowing it down,” Kimberly says. “We want to make sure we’re keeping it moving.”
Effective GLP-1 treatments can also manifest other positive impacts.
“It can change a client’s mood, their sleep, the way they see themselves, the way that they hold themselves, and the confidence that they have,” Kimberly says. “It’s very rewarding to see clients get to their goal weight and to see that they have kind of a new look on life.”
Because of these positive impacts, a GLP-1 treatment may also be a fit for patients who are receiving hormone replacement therapy because these patients often deal with weight loss regulation issues, lack of energy, loss of muscle mass, and sleep issues.
When it comes to helping clients make informed decisions about proceeding with GLP-1 treatment, Kimberly recommends choosing a provider that takes a hands-on approach, one that doesn’t just send patients home and wish them good luck. She also recommends asking providers if they provide ongoing education and regular monitoring as their patients receive injections.
“Weight is very sensitive, so we are always here for clients, making sure that they know that they’re not the only one that’s struggling with this and that we’re going to be here to help them as we go through this process,” Kimberly says.
Even with using a GLP-1 treatment, achieving weight loss is still a process. The drug is not a magic wand for weight loss; clients must establish a healthy lifestyle in general, including making changes to what they eat and how they exercise.
“Sometimes we have to have those tough conversations because clients might not be losing the weight they want to be losing,” Kimberly says. “This is not the cure-all; it’s not going to fix everything; you have to put in the work as well.”