Ozempic, also known as semaglutide, is a medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which work by mimicking the functions of natural hormones in your body to control blood sugar levels [1].
In addition to its blood sugar-lowering effects, Ozempic has been shown to influence feelings of fullness before meals. This is because GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic affect the areas of the brain that control appetite and food intake [2]. Specifically, GLP-1 hormones stimulate the release of insulin, suppress the release of glucagon, and slow down gastric emptying, which leads to a feeling of fullness and reduced appetite [3].
Clinical trials have demonstrated that Ozempic can lead to weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting that the drug's effects on appetite and fullness may contribute to this outcome [4]. In a study published in the journal Diabetes Care, participants who received Ozempic experienced a greater reduction in body weight compared to those who received a placebo [5].
Overall, Ozempic influences fullness before meals by slowing down gastric emptying and affecting the areas of the brain that control appetite and food intake, leading to a feeling of fullness and reduced appetite.
Sources:
1. "Ozempic (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use." U.S. Food and Drug Administration. <https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/ozempic-semaglutide-injection-subcutaneous-use>.
2. "Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists." National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. <https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/managing-diabetes/glucagon-like-peptide-1-receptor-agonists>.
3. "Semaglutide." DrugPatentWatch. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/semaglutide>.
4. "Semaglutide once weekly versus placebo as an adjunct to lifestyle modification for weight management in people with overweight or obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial." The Lancet. <https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00258-2/fulltext>.
5. "Efficacy and Safety of Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes." Diabetes Care. <https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/40/5/636>.