I'm a Registered Nurse and These Are 7 Signs Your Ozempic Dose Isn't Working
Embarking on a weight-loss journey is extremely personal and unique. It requires adopting healthy lifestyle habits—like consuming a nutritious diet, strength training regularly, and managing stress effectively. For some, it also includes the use of prescription weight-loss drugs, which have gained much popularity over recent years. As with any drug, it's important to understand the pros, cons, and potential side effects. To help you out, we spoke with a registered nurse and certified diabetes care and education specialist who calls out seven signs your Ozempic dose isn't working.
Below, Katherine Wiechnicki, Co-Owner, Co-Founder, Registered Nurse, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), Health Coach and Diabetes Educator at Diabetes and Nutrition Partners, LLC, reveals seven red flags to be on the lookout for—they signal your dose is too low or too high.
- Blood sugar levels remain consistently high
- Heightened appetite
- Increasing insulin needs
- No weight loss over time
- Consistent gastrointestinal symptoms—i.e., diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
- Dehydration—dry mouth, dizziness, decreased urination
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
"During the first few weeks of treatment, patients tend to notice decreased appetite, mild gastrointestinal side effects like mild nausea, constipation or diarrhea, and some fatigue. People may start to notice that they are not able to finish their meals like they used to be able to do," Wiechnicki tells us.
It's a Journey, Not a "Quick Fix"
When starting a GLP-1, expectations are typically high—meaning, if you don't see the scale moving, it's common to feel frustrated. But Wiechnicki stresses the fact that weight loss is a journey and a lifestyle—it's not a "quick fix."
There are certain daily habits that influence how well Ozempic may work for you. These include:
- Steering clear of high-fat and fried foods and consuming smaller portions to decrease gastrointestinal side effects
- Walking for 30 minutes a day and performing strength or resistance training as part of your regular routine
- Hydrating—aiming for a minimum of two liters of water per day, unless your doctor has placed you on fluid restriction
- Prioritizing a restful night's sleep—seven to nine hours per night—as poor sleep habits can negatively impact appetite and blood sugar control
- Working with a registered dietitian or CDCES to ensure you're achieving your nutritional needs and preserving safe blood sugar levels
If you're wondering what else GLP-1s can do, check out 5 Surprising Health Benefits of GLP-1 Drugs That Have Nothing to Do With Weight Loss.
