Experts reveal the surprising reason why your Ozempic may not be working
The diabetes drug Ozempic, which has since evolved into a weight-loss drug, has helped tens of thousands of Americans lose weight. Still, some people report that their prescription doesn’t produce the results they want.
Experts have now suggested a possible reason why the blockbuster drug may not work as well as expected.
You may simply not be storing the medication properly, thus dampening its potency and effectiveness.
While it is common to keep prescriptions in the bathroom medicine cabinet, providers say Ozempic should instead be stored in the refrigerator, at a cool temperature of 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit.
Doctors also warn that the medications should never be frozen or stored in direct sunlight, as this can cause the medications to break down.
Dr. Mir Ali, a bariatric surgeon, said: ‘If Ozempic is not kept in the refrigerator, it will likely lose its effectiveness over time. In some cases it can cause more side effects.”
Doctors say some Ozempic patients may not lose weight quickly with the drug because they don’t store it properly (stockpile)
The instructions say that all new and unopened Ozempic pens should be stored in the refrigerator. Once Ozempic is used for the first time, you can store it in or out of the refrigerator, but it should still not be exposed to extremely cold or high temperatures.
Dr. HaVy Ngo-Hamilton, a pharmacist, said opened Ozempic should be stored between 59 degrees and 86 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 56 days, or until the expiration date — whichever comes first.
Afterwards, you should throw away any leftover medication.
Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois – a health expert based in Fort Worth – told us Procession: ‘Proper storage of medicines guarantees their effectiveness and safety.
‘Even the smallest deviations in storage conditions can affect the stability of the medicine.’
Doctors advise patients to store Ozempic in the refrigerator to prevent the product from breaking down.
It is sensitive to temperature changes because the drug it uses, semaglutide, is made of a protein, which can break down at higher temperatures.
This means that when patients inject themselves, the medication may no longer mimic the hunger-suppressing hormones in the body and so will not work.
Dr. Mir Ali, a bariatric surgeon in California, added: “If Ozempic is not kept in the refrigerator, it will likely lose its effectiveness over time.”
Other similar weight loss medications should also be kept in the refrigerator, including Wegovy – which can only be stored at room temperature for 28 days – and Mounjaro – which should be used within 21 days of opening.
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According to experts who prescribe the drugs, patients can expect to lose up to 450 grams per week when taking drugs such as Ozempic, WeGovy and Mounjaro.
Marlee Bruno, owner of Florida medical spa Mind Body & Soul Medical, previously told DailyMail.com: ‘After three months, patients can lose at least 12 pounds of fat. That’s a significant loss and makes patients feel much better.’
If users see no difference, they should check how they store their injections.
Many doctors advise those taking Ozempic to use the drug in addition to a high-protein diet and exercise to prevent muscle loss and to help maintain weight loss when they stop taking the drug.
The warning came after a number of patients reported the drugs were not working, with some even saying they had ‘overdosed’ on the drug.
Among them is comedian Tracy Morgan, 55, who revealed in March that he had “gained 40 pounds” while taking popular weight-loss drug Ozempic.
He said, ‘I’ve learned to outdo Ozempic. I’ve eaten Ozempic. I’ve gained 40 pounds.’
The number of prescriptions for Ozempic and similar weight-loss drugs has skyrocketed in the US. An estimated 39 million people, or 12 percent of the population, have used them.