WHAT IS OZEMPIC?
This diabetes drug controls blood sugar levels and suppresses appetite
WORDS
AILSA HARVEY
Ozempic is a liquid solution inside an injection pen
Ozempic is the brand name for a drug that contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Semaglutide is a polypeptide – a chain of amino acids – that helps the body produce insulin when needed. This is a vital drug for some diabetics. People with diabetes either produce little to no insulin (type 1 diabetes) or insulin in the body isn’t used effectively (type 2 diabetes). Insulin is a hormone that regulates a person’s blood sugar levels, and Ozempic benefits those with type 2 diabetes by enhancing the existing insulin-producing response. Ozempic also works to reduce how much sugar the liver makes and slows down the rate of digestion. This helps to lower blood sugar levels, as high blood sugar is a common symptom of diabetes.