Getting prescription drugs from other countries is not uncommon, but it has become riskier as the shortage of Ozempic and other medicines made by Novo Nordisk that contain semaglutide has intensified. Some patients like John, who has Type 2 diabetes, are paying hundreds of pounds online to stockpile the medication while diabetics on Britain’s free National Health Service struggle for access to the drug.
1. It Lowers Blood Sugar
Known generically as semaglutide, Ozempic is the brand name of an injectable medication that lowers blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. The drug mimics the effects of GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone that stimulates insulin secretion and reduces glucagon secretion from the liver. It is self-administered by subcutaneous injection once a week. Ozempic has also been shown to help people lose weight and combat obesity.
While the weekly injection is primarily prescribed to improve blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, its popularity is growing as an effective weight loss drug. A landmark study found that obese people who took Ozempic lost an average of 15% of their body weight in just 68 weeks. This is much greater than the weight loss achieved by those who did not take the medication.
As the popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications surges, supply problems have pushed more and more patients to a booming but less regulated secondary market for copies of the drugs. Private online pharmacies, telehealth startups and med spas are among the businesses that have sprung up to fill demand. They can be cheaper than the original drugs and easier to get.
But a recent shortage of Ozempic has raised concerns about the safety and quality of these compounded drugs. Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, says it does not provide the active ingredient to the compounding pharmacies, which mix and alter prescription drugs to create medicines for specific patient needs. That may raise questions about the authenticity of the drugs and the safety of the needles used to deliver them.
Compounding pharmacies also often mix prescription medications that are already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with ingredients not approved by the FDA. This practice is illegal and can pose health risks for consumers. The FDA is warning consumers to avoid unapproved versions of Ozempic and other GLP-1 treatments. The agency says the fake drugs are unlikely to contain the correct dosages and may not be sterile or safe to use. The fakes may also contain ingredients not listed on the packaging, which could make them dangerous for patients with certain medical conditions.
2. It Lowers Cholesterol
Taking a drug like Ozempic Wholesale can help you lower your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It also helps you lose weight. The drug can reduce your cholesterol and blood sugar by affecting the way your body absorbs fat and glucose. It can also improve your blood pressure, which is another risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Ozempic is part of a new class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which have dramatically altered the treatment of diabetes and obesity. These injectable medications are the first of their kind to help people without diabetes lose significant amounts of weight. They work by mimicking the effects of the hormone leptin, which is produced in your gut and signals your brain that you are full.
Until recently, Ozempic was the only GLP-1 receptor agonist available in Australia. However, a worldwide shortage of the drug started in 2022 when Novo Nordisk couldn’t supply enough of it due to doctors prescribing it off-label for weight loss. The company responded by releasing Wegovy, a version of the drug designed specifically for weight loss.
Doctors prescribe off-label medication for many reasons, including situations where other treatments don’t work. Using a drug for a different condition than its intended use is common, but it’s important to only do so under the care of an experienced doctor. This is especially true when it comes to anti-obesity medications, as they can have serious side effects if used incorrectly.
John, an Australian man who uses Ozempic for weight loss, says that the most common side effect is nausea. He’s lost 18 kg (40 pounds) and hopes to shed more weight. He’s also experienced a lot of reflux, which has made his life a bit more difficult.
Although these side effects are common, they aren’t usually severe. Some people stop their treatment because of them, but it’s worth overcoming them to get the benefits of Ozempic and other similar medicines. It’s also important to think of these medicines as a long-term commitment, not just something that can help you drop a few pounds quickly.
3. It Lowers Blood Pressure
When it comes to weight loss, you have a lot of choices. Some of them are effective and safe, while others are not so much. The problem is that some of these medications can have serious side effects, especially if you take them for long periods of time. That is why you should be very careful before taking any prescription medication. The best way to know if a drug is safe or not is to talk to your doctor about it.
A new service allows Costco members to buy GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic online with a visit from a health care professional. During the initial consultation, the healthcare professional will review your health history and current lifestyle habits before creating a plan that may include the use of Ozempic. This program can be a good option for those who do not have insurance and want to lose weight.
One of the primary benefits of using Ozempic is that it can help to lower blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to heart problems, strokes, and other health issues. To reduce your blood pressure, it is important to eat healthy foods and exercise regularly. You should also limit your alcohol intake and avoid smoking.
Another benefit of using Ozempic is that it helps to improve blood sugar levels in those with diabetes. Having diabetes can increase your risk of getting a heart attack or other health problems. By lowering your blood sugar levels, Ozempic can help to prevent these health problems from developing.
People who want to lose weight can sometimes get a better deal on the medication by buying it online from Canadian pharmacies. Those in the United States have been taking advantage of this, as one month’s supply of the drug costs $300 in Canada, which is about a third of what it costs in some American pharmacies. However, this practice has led to local shortages in some areas, and the Canadian government plans to restrict sales to prevent that from happening.
Before you buy a medication online, it is a good idea to check for fake medicines. Rogue sites often sell counterfeit or substandard drugs, which can be dangerous to your health. Additionally, some websites do not require a valid prescription before selling the medication, which can put you at risk for fraud and other problems. In some cases, the medications sold by these rogue companies are also unregulated and could contain harmful substances.
4. It Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
Ozempic is the brand name for a drug called semaglutide. It belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic the natural hormone your digestive tract produces when you eat. This hormone stimulates the pancreas to release insulin, slows down digestion, reduces appetite, and makes you feel full. It also helps your liver stop producing glucose. These effects help make it easier to follow a low-calorie diet for weight loss.
While the Food and Drug Administration has approved semaglutide to treat type 2 diabetes, doctors are increasingly prescribing it off-label for weight loss. As a result, patients are struggling to find pharmacies that have the injection in stock. Some of them are even having to drive long distances just to get it.
The problem is compounded by the fact that Novo Nordisk, the sole manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, does not sell the drug directly to pharmacies. Instead, the drug maker uses a pharmacy called a “compounding pharmacy,” which mixes and alters drugs to create medications that meet individual patient needs. Novo Nordisk isn’t saying where the compounding pharmacies are sourcing their supplies of semaglutide, but some experts suspect they are using ingredients that have not been approved by the FDA.
Despite the challenges, the availability of Ozempic and other similar medications could help shift societal perceptions of obesity from blame to treatment. However, these drugs will only work if they are widely available and affordable.
To learn more about Ozempic and how it can help you reach your weight loss goals, talk to a doctor. You can visit your primary care provider or opt for an online consultation with a Prime Medic physician. Then, you can purchase a prescription for the medication from your local pharmacy or through an online prescription service. Combine the medication with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and other positive lifestyle habits for optimal results. And don’t forget to consult with a pharmacist before starting any new medication. The pharmacist will ensure you are receiving the right dosage and will answer any questions you might have.