Ozempic is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels. Its active ingredient is semaglutide, which belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists [2]. According to the provided sources, Ozempic's structure is unique due to its chemical composition and the way it interacts with the body's GLP-1 receptors.
Semaglutide is a modified version of the human GLP-1 hormone, which is naturally produced in the body to regulate blood sugar levels [3]. The modification involves the addition of a fatty acid chain that makes the drug more resistant to degradation by enzymes in the body, allowing for a longer duration of action [2]. This modification also enhances the drug's binding affinity to the GLP-1 receptor, resulting in a more potent effect [3].
The unique structure of Ozempic allows it to activate GLP-1 receptors in the body, leading to increased insulin secretion, decreased glucagon secretion, and slowed gastric emptying [2]. These effects help to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of complications associated with type 2 diabetes.
In summary, Ozempic's structure is unique due to its modified GLP-1 hormone composition, which allows for a longer duration of action and increased binding affinity to GLP-1 receptors in the body. These unique properties contribute to the drug's effectiveness in treating type 2 diabetes.
Sources:
[1] Drug Patent Watch. Ozempic. https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/OZEMPIC
[2] FDA. Ozempic Label. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/209637lbl.pdf
[3] Rondas D, et al. Semaglutide: The New Ozempic. Journal of the Belgian Society of Radiology. 2019;103(1):14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6474072/