OZEMPIC® for PCOS Treatment: Exploring the Newest OZEMPIC® Use Case

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition experienced by women in their reproductive years. It leads to irregular periods, excess serum androgens, and infertility.

PCOS also causes insulin resistance (IR) in 35% to 80% of patients. This increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity, which can make it difficult to manage PCOS symptoms. 

GLP-1 agonist medications like OZEMPIC® can control IR and may help treat PCOS. But does OZEMPIC® for PCOS weight loss really work? Let’s understand the science in this article. 

Key Takeaways:  

• OZEMPIC® is a once-weekly injectable medication made from semaglutide. It increases insulin secretion and stabilizes blood sugar levels by binding to GLP-1 receptors. 
• OZEMPIC® is injected subcutaneously into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm once weekly at a specific time. 
• OZEMPIC® contains lower doses of semaglutide compared to WEGOVY® and is typically covered by insurance. 
• Studies have shown that OZEMPIC® can lead to significant weight loss, improved menstrual regularity, and increased fertility in women with PCOS. 
• Full effects of OZEMPIC® are typically seen at least two months after starting the treatment. 

What Is OZEMPIC®?

OZEMPIC® is a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) made using semaglutide. It is available as once-weekly 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg injectables that increase insulin secretion and improve blood sugar—and is used along with exercise and diet.

The prescription medicine was approved in 2017 by the FDA for treating people with type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. But it can be prescribed off-label for this purpose. 

OZEMPIC® should be injected subcutaneously into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm once weekly at a specific time of the day, with or without a meal. It should never be administered intramuscularly or intravenously.  

Moreover, OZEMPIC® is not a substitute for insulin and shouldn’t be given to patients with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. 

How Does OZEMPIC® Work?

OZEMPIC® works by mimicking the GLP-1 digestive hormone, which is released in the digestive system when a person eats. This hormone prompts the pancreas to increase the secretion of insulin and decrease glucagon production. 

GLP-1 also suppresses the appetite and slows gastric emptying, causing people to feel full for longer. 

OZEMPIC® (acting as GLP-1) binds to GLP-1 receptors and causes the pancreas to release insulin when needed. This keeps the blood sugar levels stable and prevents glucose spikes. 

OZEMPIC® vs. WEGOVY®

While OZEMPIC® and WEGOVY® contain the same active ingredient and are made by the same company, they have several differences. These are:

• WEGOVY® has been approved by the FDA for chronic weight management since 2014. In contrast, OZEMPIC® is indicated only for type 2 diabetes patients.  
• OZEMPIC® contains lower doses of semaglutide compared to WEGOVY®.
• WEGOVY® is often not covered under insurance, while OZEMPIC® is typically covered.  

Can You Prescribe OZEMPIC® for PCOS Weight Loss?

While the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, it’s often associated with abnormal hormone levels, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance, which is the primary cause of weight gain, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes seen in patients. 

OZEMPIC® is a drug developed to counteract insulin resistance and reduce appetite, which can promote weight loss—something that’s challenging for women with PCOS. 

For instance, in a 2023 study focusing on 27 patients with PCOS, 0.5 mg doses of OZEMPIC® caused them to lose 7.6 kg of weight on average and experience a mean BMI loss of 3.1. 

Almost 78% of the patients lost at least 5% of their body weight, while 22% experienced higher levels of weight loss. In addition, 80% of the patients experienced fasting blood glucose and menstrual cycle normalization after three months. 

At the end of the three months, all patients experienced a mean weight loss of 11.5 kg and a mean BMI reduction of 5.0, from 34.4 to 29.4. 

In another study on incretin-based therapies for PCOS, GLP-1 RAs (like OZEMPIC®) and DPP-2 inhibitors caused significant weight reduction and improved insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS. 

The study noted that women experienced improved menstrual regularity, reduced free androgen, and increased fertility and ovulation when using GLP-1 RAs. Some even experienced pregnancy as a result of their treatment. 

The bottom line is that yes, GLP-1 RAs like OZEMPIC® can help women with PCOS manage and improve their symptoms, promote weight loss, and increase their chances of getting pregnant. 

How Long Does It Take for OZEMPIC® to Work?

OZEMPIC® is taken on a low dose (0.25 mg) for the first four weeks to help the body get used to it. Patients don’t typically notice any significant improvements during this time. 

Once the first month is over and there is a steady level of OZEMPIC® in the patient’s system, their dose will typically be increased to 0.5 mg/week or 1 mg/week, depending on their treatment response. At this stage, they may begin to experience significant benefits from the medication. 

However, full effects are typically seen at least two months after starting the treatment. For some, it may take even longer due to factors like weight, age, additional medications, and liver or kidney functional status.

For instance, in a 56-week study, it took OZEMPIC® eight weeks to lower the HbA1C baseline to 7% from 8%. These levels fell 1.5% to 6.5% by week 16. In another study, OZEMPIC® reduced HbA1C by 1.6% after seven and a half months of treatment. 

How Is OZEMPIC® Administered?

Here are the steps for correctly injecting OZEMPIC® that you should discuss with your patients.

1. Check the Pen

Before administering the injection, wash your hands and check that the solution appears clear and colorless. Discard if the injection contains foreign particles. Also, do not use the injectable if it has been frozen. 

2. Attach a New Needle

Once you’ve checked the injectable, tear the paper tab. You can use any NovoFine or NovoTwist disposable needles (up to 8 mm) at this point. These are typically included in the package. 

Attach the needle and pull off the outer and inner needle caps. Make sure to use a new needle every time. 

3. Check the OZEMPIC® Flow

If you’re using an OZEMPIC® pen for the first time, make sure to dial the flow check symbol until it lines up with the pointer. Select your dose by dialing your pen to the dose you want to inject.

4. Inject Your Dose

Once you’ve adjusted the flow and selected your dose, wipe the injection site using an alcohol pad. After that, point the needle toward the ceiling and press the dose button until you see “0 mg” on the pointer. 

You’ll see a drop of OZEMPIC® appear at the tip of the needle if you do this correctly. If you don’t, repeat this process until you see one appear. 

Now, keeping the dose button pressed down, insert the needle under the skin, making sure to avoid arteries and veins. Count to six to ensure you’ve injected the medication before removing the needle. If blood appears at the injection site, lightly dab it with a cotton ball. Do not press heavily. 

5. Discard the Needle

After removing the needle from the skin, place it in an FDA-approved sharps container and then throw it away. Patients can store the pen without the needle for another use. However, make sure they use this pen within 56 days of opening. 

Manage PCOS Symptoms with OZEMPIC®

OZEMPIC® is a prefilled once-weekly self-injection used to control blood sugar. It can help patients with PCOS manage and improve their symptoms, decrease menstrual irregularity, and promote weight loss. 

However, for successful results, you need to source OZEMPIC® from high-quality suppliers. Contact our dedicated sales team at Doctor Medica for information on how and where to buy OZEMPIC® online.

Visit our website or reach out to our representatives to discover how you can reliably source OZEMPIC® for safe and reliable PCOS management.  

FAQs

Will Insurance Cover OZEMPIC® for PCOS?

Insurance is unlikely to cover OZEMPIC® for PCOS. That’s because the drug is FDA-approved for diabetes type 2 treatment, not weight loss.

Is OZEMPIC® Good for Insulin Resistance?

Yes, OZEMPIC® has been shown to reduce HbA1C levels, which means it plays a role in counteracting insulin resistance.

Does OZEMPIC® Treat PCOS?

While OZEMPIC® is not FDA-approved for PCOS, it has been shown to cause weight loss and menstrual cycle normalization in PCOS patients.

References  

1. Amisi CA. Markers of insulin resistance in Polycystic ovary syndrome women: An update. World J Diabetes. 2022;13(3):129-149. doi:10.4239/wjd.v13.i3.129

2. Carmina E, Longo RA. Semaglutide Treatment of Excessive Body Weight in Obese PCOS Patients Unresponsive to Lifestyle Programs. J Clin Med. 2023;12(18):5921. Published 2023 Sep 12. doi:10.3390/jcm12185921

3. Abdalla MA, Deshmukh H, Atkin S, Sathyapalan T. The potential role of incretin-based therapies for polycystic ovary syndrome: a narrative review of the current evidence. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2021;12:2042018821989238. Published 2021 Jan 27. doi:10.1177/2042018821989238

4. Ahrén B, Masmiquel L, Kumar H, et al. Efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide versus once-daily sitagliptin as an add-on to metformin, thiazolidinediones, or both, in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN 2): a 56-week, double-blind, phase 3a, randomized trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2017;5(5):341-354. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(17)30092-X

5. Meier JJ. Efficacy of Semaglutide in a Subcutaneous and an Oral Formulation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:645617. Published 2021 Jun 25. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.645617