How does Ozempic work? 💉
Ozempic has been all over the news this past year as a seemingly “miracle weight loss drug”. So, what is it? Here we’ll explore how it works, and some of the benefits and risks of taking it.
The purpose of this blog post is informational only, and in no way is intended to provide any medical advice. If you’re considering taking Ozempic, please consult your healthcare provider.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription medication that mimics GLP-1 in our bodies. Ozempic is primarily used to treat patients with Type 2 diabetes, and was first approved by the FDA in 2017. It’s manufactured by Novo Nordisk.
What is GLP-1 and how does it work?
GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone our body naturally produces. It’s produced by specialized cells in our intestines and brain when we eat. GLP-1 is an incretin, which means it decreases our blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion (Insulin is the main regulator of how our body absorbs and stores carbohydrates, fats, and protein).
GLP-1 works by binding to GLP-1 receptors in our pancreas, brain, and stomach.
In the pancreas, when these receptors are bound, they activate a signaling pathway which results in insulin secretion and decreases our blood sugar levels. Interestingly, this signaling is dependent on glucose, which means that GLP-1 signaling is finely-tuned to ensure our insulin and blood sugar levels never get too high or too low.
In the brain, activated GLP-1 receptors have been linked with neuron growth and protection against various brain diseases (including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, Multiple Sclerosis, and stroke). In our brainstem and hypothalamus, GLP-1 signaling tells us when we’re full and should stop eating.
In the stomach, GLP-1 slows our gastric emptying and motility, which means the food will stay in our stomachs longer.
As you can imagine, these can help us lose weight because they:
Act on our brains to reduce our appetite and cravings
Act on our stomachs to keep us feeling fuller longer, so we end up eating less
What are some benefits of GLP-1 agonists?
GLP-1 agonists (also called GLP-1 receptor agonists, GLP-1 analogs, GLP-1RAs, or incretin mimetics) are a class of drugs that act like GLP-1 to activate the GLP-1 receptor. They were initially developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, and have been recommended as the first line of treatment since 2022 by the American Diabetes Association. Since then, they’ve also been found to cause significant weight loss, which is how they started making their way into the news more recently.
The primary benefits of GLP-1 agonists are:
Controlling your blood sugar levels (especially for adults with Type 2 diabetes)
Weight loss
Cardiovascular health (GLP-1 agonists reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in adults with Type 2 diabetes and known heart diseases)
In addition to Type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 agonists have also been prescribed for patients with kidney disease, obesity (as an add-on therapy to lifestyle intervention), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
How much weight can you actually lose with Ozempic?
As of 2025, when combined with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, Ozempic can lead to pretty significant weight loss. Patients lost an average of 30 pounds over 6 months, or about 15% of their body weight. Of course, individual results can vary greatly depending on your starting health and weight, Ozempic dosage, and how much you adhere to the other lifestyle changes and habits.
Because Ozempic is a prescription medication, it should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
What are some risks of GLP-1 agonists?
As with any medication, taking Ozempic or other GLP-1 agonists is not without risk. Some common side-effects of GLP-1 agonists include:
Gastrointestinal issues (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation), which are the most common side-effects
Pancreatitis
Retinopathy (probably caused indirectly by the rapid drop in blood sugar levels)
Gallstones (due to rapid weight loss), nephrolithiasis (kidney stones)
Hypotension (low blood pressure), syncope (fainting)
What are other examples of GLP-1 agonists?
In addition to Ozempic, there’s several GLP-1 agonists on the market. If you’re curious about the differences between them, here’s a helpful reference: Comparing Ozempic, Wegovy and Other GLP-1 Drugs - GoodRx
Thanks for reading! Join us each week as we uncover amazing animal facts, investigate the truth behind common myths, explore science in the news and try to explain it so it’s easy to understand for curious minds of all ages and backgrounds!
The purpose of this blog post is informational only, and in no way is intended to provide any medical advice.