Ozempic (Semaglutide) Benefits, Side Effects, and Cost

Key takeaways

• Ozempic (semaglutide) is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It reduces blood glucose levels and promotes the secretion of insulin (a hormone responsible for storing excess blood glucose in the tissues). 
• Ozempic medication is available in different parts of the world, including Nigeria, and costs about 450,000 naira. In the United States, it costs about $997.48 without insurance or discounts. The medication is generally less expensive in Europe than in the US.
• The major benefits of Ozempic besides treating type 2 diabetes include weight loss, reducing the risk of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) and kidney diseases, and inducing anti-inflammatory effects on affected blood vessels.
• Some people may experience certain side effects from using Ozempic, such as nausea, headache, and skin swelling. Based on their nature and severity, these side effects can be graded as common, mild, or serious.
• Acute kidney injury, inflammation of the pancreas, and diabetic retinopathy (eye disease) are some long-term complications of using Ozempic. 

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes (high blood sugar). Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, mimics the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in your body.

This medication is designed to be injected into the skin once a week. It enhances insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon release, and slows gastric emptying. Ultimately helping regulate blood glucose levels.

Ozempic also offers certain health benefits, like weight reduction and heart and kidney function improvement in people with type 2 diabetes, especially when combined with a healthy lifestyle.

However, Ozempic may have downsides for some users. Some people may experience side effects from the medication, which can differ from person to person and may occur during or days after the medication has been administered. 

Benefits of Ozempic

Here are some of the notable benefits of Ozempic medication:

Weight loss

Ozempic's weight loss effect is its major off-label use. The medication can be effective in weight reduction. Research shows that during clinical trials of Ozempic, patients experienced a 15% weight loss while using the medication over a period of 68 weeks.

The weight loss effect may be attributed to the fact that its active ingredient, semaglutide reduces appetite and causes you to feel full after eating. This weight loss benefit can be improved with regular exercise and dieting.

Kidney protection

Ozempic can have positive effects on the kidneys of type 2 diabetes patients. It improves kidney function and helps mitigate certain risks associated with the development of chronic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes.

Reduced cardiovascular risks

Research studies on Ozempic (semaglutide) suggest that the medication can have positive cardiovascular outcomes when administered to people with type 2 diabetes.

It can help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) diseases, such as non-fatal heart attacks and non-fatal strokes.

Furthermore, Ozempic benefits the cardiovascular system due to its ability to reduce blood pressure, regulate cholesterol levels, and have anti-inflammatory effects.

Improved blood sugar control

Ozempic (semaglutide) primarily mimics your body's natural hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This enhances insulin secretion and reduces the free glucose level in your bloodstream. It also aids in the regulation of blood sugar, ultimately benefiting weight management. 

Alternative to weight loss surgery

Due to Ozempic’s weight loss effect, people with type 2 diabetes who are prone to obesity may use Ozempic as a healthier, safer, cost-friendly, and effective weight loss alternative to surgery. 

Although Ozempic is approved in most countries, including Nigeria, for treating type 2 diabetes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t approve that Ozempic should be used primarily for weight management. Wegovy, a semaglutide medication of a higher dose, serves that purpose.

Anti-inflammatory effects

People with diabetes are prone to certain chronic inflammatory conditions. This is mainly due to the free inflammatory cytokines found in the bloodstream.

These cytokines trigger immune responses, causing inflammatory symptoms like swelling, redness, and pain in tissues and blood vessels.

Recent studies suggest that semaglutide, when used to treat people with type 2 diabetes, can have anti-inflammatory effects on them. However, the mechanism by which this is accomplished hasn't been fully understood.

Possible neuroprotective abilities

Semaglutide, Ozempic's active ingredient, was used in an animal study to treat mice with neurological (brain nerve) diseases. 

Results from the study suggested that semaglutide may possess neuroprotective effects against diseases like Parkinson's disease and encephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord).  

Semaglutide minimized neuroinflammation in the study animals and also improved cognitive and motor skills. 

Unfortunately, there aren't enough studies to fully ascertain if Ozempic could have these neuroprotective effects on humans.

Possible liver protective abilities

Semaglutide could also have protective abilities on the liver. Human and animal studies have been carried out to ascertain semaglutide's effect on certain liver diseases like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), two liver diseases that are commonly associated with diabetes and obesity.

The studies yielded positive outcomes as semaglutide helped improve the function of liver enzymes, reduced liver stiffness, and showed histological improvements in liver tissue.

Regardless of these results, more studies are needed to fully understand the impact of semaglutide on liver health. 

Side effects of Ozempic

Ozempic's side effects can be classified as common, mild, or serious. Below is a detailed classification of these side effects. 

Common side effects of Ozempic

Here are some of the common side effects that some patients may experience from Ozempic use:

• Nausea 
• Diarrhea 
• Vomiting 
• Stomach/abdominal pain 
• Constipation 
• Anxiety

Mild side effects of Ozempic

Some mild side effects of using Ozempic include:

• Headache 
• Indigestion 
• Fatigue 
• Rash 
• Dizziness
• Satiety (Feeling of being satisfied and decreased appetite) 

Serious side effects of Ozempic

Ozempic can also cause serious side effects, such as:

• Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions)
• Angioedema (skin swelling)
• Discomfort and reddening of the injection site
• Hypoglycemia (reduced blood sugar)

Possible long-term complications of Ozempic use

Prolonged use of Ozempic may be linked to certain long-term complications. These complications aren’t always common. However, most reports of these complications come from people who have certain underlying health issues like renal or hepatic impairments, hereditary diseases, and health conditions like pregnancy.

• Gallbladder issues such as gallstones, gallbladder inflammation 
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Diabetic retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels of the eye)
• Acute kidney injury (This is caused by dehydration due to excessive vomiting and diarrhea.)
• Risk of thyroid C cell tumors or cancer

Cost of Ozempic in different parts of the world

According to price indicators obtained from the Ozempic official website, the listing price for all three doses of Ozempic—0.5mg, 1.0mg, and 2.0mg—is $997.48. This means that without insurance or a discount, it can cost you about $1000 to buy Ozempic in the United States.

Interestingly, Ozempic is less expensive in Europe. Yahoo Finance reports that at the estimated cost of $92 in the United Kingdom, Ozempic is 1,300% more expensive in the US compared to the UK. According to USA Today, the same medication costs about $59 in Germany and $122 in Denmark.

Due to the current inflation in Nigeria, the exact price for each dose of Ozempic cannot be given. However, it is estimated to cost about NGN 450,000 and above in certain popular Nigerian pharmacies. 

In South Africa, one of Africa's largest economies, one Ozempic injection pen can cost nearly R1,500 (about 82 USD).

Keep in mind that these prices may differ as various health insurance companies provide subsidized prices for their customers. 

Where to buy ozempic in Nigeria

You can purchase different doses of Ozempic in major pharmacies in certain Nigerian states. Some states where you’ll likely find this medication are Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, Enugu, Anambra, and Oyo. Be sure to get a doctor’s prescription before purchasing the medication.

In 2023, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Commission (NAFDAC) notified the public on their official website about fake batches of Ozempic that were being sold at the time. On that note, only visit major, registered, and licensed pharmacies when purchasing the Ozempic medication.

Final thoughts

Ozempic (semaglutide) is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes. As such, it shouldn’t be used for weight loss unless prescribed to you by your doctor.

Ozempic may benefit people with type 2 diabetes by reducing their blood sugar, inducing insulin secretion and weight loss, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular and renal diseases and anti-inflammatory effects. 

If you experience any serious side effects or complications listed earlier after using Ozempic, visit your doctor for a proper examination and immediate treatment.