Posted on 01/15/2023 5:57:44 AM PST by fluorescence
Tammie Rachell Largent-Phillips, 52, has Type 2 diabetes. For the past two years, she's managed the condition using a drug called Ozempic, which helps people with diabetes keep blood sugar levels in check.
But in November, she was forced to switch to another medication, insulin. The Ozempic she needed was no longer available at her pharmacy.
In recent months, demand for the drug has soared, colliding with global supply issues. Together, it's led to a shortage of Ozempic.
But the popularity of Ozempic, or semaglutide, isn't because of rising rates of diabetes. Instead, it's because of its weight loss benefits, doctors say. At a higher dose, semaglutide is used for weight loss. Ozempic manufacturer Novo Nordisk sells that higher dose under a different brand name: Wegovy.
Shortages of Wegovy, also highly popular, were widespread last year. As a result, some people who had been taking Wegovy were instead prescribed Ozempic off-label for weight loss. That's causing problems for people like Largent-Phillips, who need the drug to manage their chronic illness.
"It's been very frustrating," Largent-Phillips, of Florida, said of the shortage, adding that her blood sugar levels have been fluctuating as she's had to change medications.
Ozempic works by mimicking a hormone in the body that regulates insulin levels. It's a type of drug called a GLP-1 agonist. The medication is self-administered weekly as an injection.
The supply shortages of Ozempic have meant that some patients have had to go to several pharmacies before they could find the medication, said Dr. Marcio Griebeler, an endocrinologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. In other cases, he said, patients have been forced to take a lower dose because it's all that was available.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
Ozempic is the brand name for a molecule used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes that is administered as a once weekly injection. The generic name is Semaglutide. It is not insulin.
I use it myself as a supplement when I had to discontinue the use of Jardiance because of UTI’s. There have been other products like it, one of the most used was metformin, an oral agent. They can work independent of insulin for low level diabetes, but when the body needs more over time, insulin and a supplement like Ozempic is needed for control.
Metformin is different than Ozempic as Ozempic slows digestion, stimulates insulin release, and lowers the amount of glucose the liver releases. Metformin decreases how much sugar the intestines absorb, lowers the amount of glucose made in the liver, and improves insulin sensitivity. But both are predinner drinks for insulin when it reaches that stage.
wy69
Portion control and exercise* don’t work for everyone but carb restrictive diets do.
*Granted they do work for most who are diabetic because they’re fat and out of shape.
The boomers are all identifying themselves with this.
Give ‘em time…🙄
‘It seems like there is no limit anymore on what they can sell on tv.’
sure there are; there are certainly limits on the number of white people appearing in these tv ads...
The doc put my 54-year-old on it, he says it has horrid side effects and NO WIGHT LOSS.
‘The doc put my 54-year-old on it, he says it has horrid side effects and NO WIGHT LOSS.’
if he has a wight problem he should problem visit a shaman...
‘...if he has a wight problem he should problem visit a shaman...’
sheesh;
he could ‘probably’ visit a shaman as well...
Just like everything else it’s made in China.
https://www.forbes.com/health/body/ozempic-for-weight-loss/
While taking semaglutide may help you lose weight while you are on the drug, most people will regain much of that weight if they discontinue using it. “Studies show that stopping Ozempic completely will likely lead to regaining most of the weight lost within several months,” notes Rekha Kumar, M.D., head of Medical Affairs at evidence-based weight care program Found, and practicing endocrinologist at an academic medical center in New York City.
“Since Ozempic slows down gastric emptying, there may be a feeling of early satiety [fullness],” adds Dr. Alexander, who recommends individuals eat slowly to help improve these and other gastrointestinal side effects of Ozempic. “These side effects are usually short-term and improve a few days to a few weeks after starting Ozempic or changing the dose,” she adds.
Taking Ozempic may cause other less common, but more serious, side effects, according to the company. These include:
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Vision changes
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Kidney problems
Allergic reactions (CAN MEAN ANYTHING)
Gallbladder problems
Thyroid tumors or cancer
NOT A CHANCE IN HADES. BET THERE ARE MORE NASTY SIDE EFFECTS.
ROBERT YOHO, MD RET. BUTCHERED BY HEALTHCARE KINDLE CHEAP, CONGRESS, AND PHARMA CROOKS.
You don’t want SLOW DIGESTION, the bowel shuts down. I have Gastroparesis which is slow digestion, it’s painful, and you are stuck on carbs, as you don’t digest fiber stuff like salads, skins, seeds, and nuts.
I don’t think there will ever be the perfect drug. The only substance sanctioned in the Bible may be wine.
But in November, she was forced to switch to another medication, insulin.
I'm not buying that. There are other meds on the market, and insulin is usually a next step in poor sugar control.
“ I never understood why drug companies are allowed to advertise prescription drugs to non-medical people.”
The old marketing method was an account rep that went around to offices and hospitals promoting the product to doctors. This came with a salary and related expenses and required many employees.
They then hit on advertising to the masses and let them go to the doctor and tell them they saw it on TV and want to try it. Account reps terminated and commercials are selling the product. The drug companies never looked back!
Not if you go low carb and stay low carb. I brought my A1C down from 6.8 to 6.0 in 4 months on a low-carb diet. Most doctors just tell you to stay away from sugar and that’s easy but it’s the bread rice potatoes and other carbs that are hard to avoid and will keep your blood sugar levels up and even get worse.
Yes if you have slow digestion and cannot digest Fiber Well you probably have to stay on the high carb diet.
It's worked like a charm for me...and,luckily,I've never had trouble filling a prescription.
That is why I record most of the TV I watch, skip the cringe worthy commercials
They are apparently numerous...
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