Ozempic, a once-weekly injection administered with a pre-filled pen, is licensed to control blood sugar in those living with type-2 diabetes and used ‘off label’ as part of weight loss treatments, leading to some illegal traders creating counterfeit Ozempic pens.
Expats living in Italy often fall prey to a sedentary lifestyle due to long work hours and the culture of la dolce vita, leading to less physical activity than desired and increasing risk for high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Weight Loss
Ozempic stimulates your body’s natural ability to manage blood sugar and appetite levels, providing a safe, effective treatment for obesity and heart disease risk reduction. According to experts, Ozempic is superior in controlling blood sugar levels and weight loss to competing medications.
Semaglutide (marketed under Ozempic and Wegovy) was initially created to treat diabetes; however, its off-label use has seen it increasingly used by those looking to lose weight – driving demand up and leading to stock shortages. Novo Nordisk, which both drugs have since competed against LVMH for the title of most valuable company in Europe.
Note, however, that buying medication online can be dangerous. All prescriptions must be provided by medical professionals and purchased from approved pharmacies only – any other source could lead to a fake drug that poses health risks.
Controlling Blood Sugar
Experts agree that Ozempic and Wegovy can help lower blood sugar, body weight, and cardiovascular risks. Both treatments should be used long-term as they work by curbing appetite and blocking the production of glucose – an inactive form of sugar produced in your body – for effective results. Combining these medications with a healthy diet and exercise regimen is recommended.
If you have kidney disease, Ozempic may not be appropriate for use. It could cause serious side effects, including low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). You should also avoid taking it with medicines that lower blood sugar, such as sulfonylureas and insulin.
If you consider buying Ozempic online, be aware of its associated risks. When purchasing medicines such as this one, they must come from reliable sources – look out for any EU logo or barcode on their packaging; additionally, reputable pharmacies should provide receipts with tracking numbers.
Controlling Appetite
Ozempic is an FDA-approved weight loss medication that stimulates your body to regulate blood sugar levels and curb appetite, thus aiding weight management. However, you must follow all instructions your healthcare provider gives when taking this drug.
Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) has become so popular it has caused shortages in both the UK and US, leading to needs. Celebrities have even used Semaglutide to shed weight. Approved as an oral medication to treat type-2 diabetes, Semaglutide must be administered once weekly via subcutaneous injection.
Beyond its obvious weight-loss benefits, this drug has been demonstrated to significantly improve heart health and reduce diabetes-related complications. Unfortunately, however, it does come with side effects, including nausea, acid reflux, constipation, and diarrhea, as well as fatigue and loss of energy. Furthermore, pregnant and breastfeeding women are not advised to use it; however, it remains an excellent choice for expats looking to manage both blood sugar and weight.
Safety
Rightangled has offered Novo Nordisk’s diabetes drug for weight loss at discounted prices following a shortage of Ozempic, but experts have strongly condemned their offer.
Britain’s Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) issued an emergency announcement in July regarding a national shortage of Ozempic and other pre-filled injection pens containing semaglutide due to surging demand, with potential effects lasting through mid-2024.
Ozempic and Wegovy are injectable prescription drugs with different half-lives and dosing schedules, making them incompatible.
When traveling with either medication, ensure it’s packaged securely and marked for quick scanning by TSA. Also, consider carrying copies of your prescription and list of medicines taken; this can come in handy should you need to visit an Italian farmacia or progeria that may fill it, though be wary – such pharmacies might only fill prescriptions that exclude opiates and other tightly controlled substances.