Diabetes is one of the leading health complications today. There are many diseases and disorders that can cause an imbalance in the blood sugar levels in the body, thus increasing the risk of diabetes in adults and seniors.
Normal blood sugar levels are maintained and controlled by a hormone called glucagon. The hormone is produced in the pancreas and released into the bloodstream to circulate and maintain optimum blood sugar levels. Glucagon production is essential for the conversion of glycogen to glucose, promote the production of glucose from amino acid molecules, and reduce consumption of glucose for energy breakdown by the liver. It is one of the most essential hormones in the body and an imbalance of the same can result in diabetes or glucagon deficiency.
Type 2 diabetes is one of the major health risks in today’s times. The number of people dependent on artificial insulin injections to counter the overproduction of glucagon is increasing with each passing day. However, an insulin overdose can lead to hypoglycemia which in turn increases the blood sugar levels. There are many diabetes medicines available in various forms manufactured by popular brands in the market. The increased dependency on insulin medications has given rise to new ways of countering overproduction of glucagon through non-insulin-based injections.
Ozempic® is one of the popular names in contention when it comes to glucagon-rich medicines, and it is quite effective in tackling type 2 diabetes. Ozempic®, alternatively known as semaglutide, is used to lower blood sugar levels in case of overproduction of the hormone.
It is available in the form of an injection and has three primary functions which include, to slow down the food from leaving the stomach, to reduce the amount of sugar released from the liver, and to increase the amount of insulin manufactured by the pancreas. The excess insulin released helps control and bring down the excess sugar production.
Various tests conducted on Ozempic® indicate that the non-insulin-based injections also help patients reach normal A1C levels (glucose) to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. The medication also helps patients lose weight (results may vary) and does not increase the chances of cardiovascular diseases that can lead to fatalities.
How does the medicine work?
Ozempic® is taken to manage glucagon levels in the body. The medication works to activate the GLP-1 hormone that triggers multiple actions related to the production of glucose. A high glucose content in the body and lack of insulin to break down the glucose increases the risk of diabetes. This is the reason why diabetic patients must rely on artificial insulin to counter the symptoms of diabetes.
Ozempic® reduces blood glucose by simultaneously stimulating insulin secretion in the pancreas. This mechanism allows the body to regulate both hormones to supplement higher production of insulin levels.
Note that along with taking Ozempic®, one must also follow a strict regime of diet and exercise to manage type 2 diabetes. The semaglutide injection also helps in lowering weight with a regular dosage. Exercise helps the body secretes insulin levels naturally, which reduces the dependence on injections to manage glucagon levels.
Different doses of Ozempic®
The Ozempic® based insulin pen is a viable replacement for pills and is to be taken once a week to lower and control the blood sugar levels. The pen allows users to adjust the dosage levels as prescribed by the doctor. Research suggests that people who took 1mg of Ozempic® at consistent intervals managed to lower the A1C levels below 7% in comparison to those who took diabetic pills instead. In comparison to leading branded diabetic pills, people who took the injection showed improved signs of low blood sugar levels with the dosage varying between 0.5mg and 1mg.
Prescription information
Medical professionals discourage the use of the injection if a person is suffering from the following conditions:
- People who are suffering from type 2 multiple endocrine neoplasia. The tumor affects the endocrine glands and the injection can cause a possible allergic reaction.
- People who have a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, which is a type of thyroid cancer, must not use semaglutide injections.
- A person who is suffering from the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis must also consult with a medical professional first to assess if it is safe to use the semaglutide injection to supplement glucagon levels.
- Most of the allergic reactions are a result of semaglutide’s interactions after administering the prescribed dosage. This is one of the main reasons why one must consult with a doctor and inform the professional about problems in the pancreases, stomach, kidneys, or even conditions like retinopathy (eye problems due to diabetes).
The semaglutide injections are quite effective in countering the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Ozempic®, in particular, has shown significant improvements to maintain acceptable A1C levels in a short period of time.
