Ozempic (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injectable medication for treating type 2 diabetes. It typically takes at least 4 weeks to start affecting blood glucose levels.
Ozempic only has Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to treat type 2 diabetes. However, doctors and other healthcare professionals may also prescribe the medication off-label to help with weight management or obesity.
How long it takes for Ozempic to work can differ from person to person, depending on factors such as whether the drug is used in combination with certain lifestyle factors.
Ozempic belongs to a group of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, which mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone. Your body naturally releases this hormone after a meal to regulate blood sugar levels. Ozempic also helps slow the passage of food through the stomach, helping prevent your blood sugar from becoming too high.
You’ll take Ozempic via a subcutaneous injection (an injection under your skin) once per week. For the first 4 weeks, you’ll receive a low dose, typically 0.25 milligrams (mg). Most people won’t notice any effects of Ozempic on their blood glucose levels within the first 4 weeks of treatment.
Starting at a low dose allows your body time to adjust to the drug and helps reduce the side effects of Ozempic.
As treatment continues and a doctor gradually increases your dose, you may start to see increasing improvements in your blood glucose levels. It may take approximately 12 weeks to see the full effects from treatment with Ozempic, but results vary from person to person. The maximum recommended dosage is 2 mg once per week.
Other factors can contribute to the effectiveness of Ozempic, such as nutrition, levels of physical activity, and overall health.
Ozempic can decrease appetite, so it may aid in weight loss for people with type 2 diabetes.
Because Ozempic helps slow the passage of food through the stomach, you might feel fuller longer. Ozempic also targets an area of the brain responsible for appetite, so it may start to suppress your appetite within a few days or weeks of starting treatment.
If you have questions about how Ozempic may affect your appetite when managing type 2 diabetes, talk with your doctor.
Typically, Ozempic does not cause any noticeable effects on blood sugar after your first dose, but you may experience certain mild side effects. These can include:
- nausea
- constipation
- vomiting
- stomach discomfort
- headache
- redness or discoloration around the injection site
During the first 4 weeks of treatment, you’ll inject a low dose to help your body adjust to the medication. While the goal of this dose is not to improve your blood glucose levels, some people may still notice some effects during these 4 weeks.
How long it takes for Ozempic to work will vary from person to person. It can take at least 4 weeks to notice changes to your blood sugar control for type 2 diabetes. Other factors such as your diet and the amount of physical activity you engage in will also help to maximize the effectiveness of Ozempic.