In case you’ve ever been inquisitive about GLP-1 meds, you’ve doubtless seen the nice and the not-so-good that may come from these transformative weight reduction medicine. Whereas the scales may tip in your favor whereas taking Ozempic or its opponents, it might come at a value—each in your pockets and in case you expertise nausea. (In scientific trials, an estimated 20 to 30 % of individuals handled this GLP-1 aspect impact.) For that reason and others, some persons are opting to microdose Ozempic… however is it a good suggestion?
We requested weight reduction physicians for all the things price realizing about microdosing Ozempic, together with if it really works for weight reduction and if it’s secure. Take a look at their scorching takes on the development beneath.
What Counts As a GLP-1 Microdose?
In accordance with Desiree Granados, MD, a medical weight reduction physician in Sarasota and Port Charlotte, Florida, a microdose may confer with something lower than what your physician prescribed. “I often begin my sufferers off with 0.25 mg (25 models) of semaglutide [i.e., the generic version of Ozempic] per week after which enhance as much as 0.5 mg (50 models) after the primary 4 weeks,” she says. “If somebody have been to take any lower than these quantities, then I’d take into account that microdosing.”
Elizabeth Sharp, MD, DABOM, IFMCP, a board-certified inside medication and weight problems medication doctor and the founder and medical director at Well being Meets Wellness in NYC, provides that Ozempic has FDA approval just for dosages beginning at 0.25 mg or greater.
Purported Advantages of Microdosing Ozempic
In accordance with Dr. Sharp, a few of the largest claimed advantages of microdosing Ozempic embody:
Assist for weight upkeep and urge for food management
Decreased irritation
Enhanced neurocognitive perform and potential safety in opposition to dementia and Alzheimer’s illness
Improved intestine well being
Nevertheless, it’s vital to notice that these purported advantages are anecdotal. “They lack affirmation by means of scientific research, and no standardized dosing or period tips exist for these results,” Dr. Sharp explains.
Plus, since microdoses would require much less of the remedy, there’s additionally the attract of saving cash. This might make the drug extra accessible to folks for whom it’s cost-prohibitive.
Dangers of Microdosing Ozempic
Whereas it might appear innocuous sufficient to take smaller quantities of a medicine your physician has already prescribed to you, doing so isn’t with out its dangers.
To begin, microdosing is generally related to compounded GLP-1 medicines; they’re simpler to microdose as they arrive in vials. Ozempic, alternatively, comes within the type of a clickable pen. “Compounding pharmacies produce non-FDA-approved variations with potential variability in formulation and high quality issues,” provides Dr. Sharp, which can heighten the chance of opposed results. (Word: Dr. Granados says that compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide will be secure and efficient. She typically prescribes them—made by FDA-certified compounding services and state-licensed pharmacies—to her sufferers.) As well as, Dr. Sharp warns in opposition to getting your GLP-1 medicines from unregulated on-line sources, for the sake of microdosing or in any other case, which might pose security dangers because of contamination or inaccurate dosing.
Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless potential to microdose name-brand Ozempic. “[This involves] emptying FDA-approved variations from the pens right into a syringe, which poses potential dosing and security dangers as folks have to appropriately dose and retailer the remedy in syringes,” Dr. Sharp explains. “Additionally they want to make sure correct administration.”
Any of those situations primarily flip the affected person right into a makeshift physician, which is way from suggested. “Counting clicks in a pen or extracting the drug with a syringe poses dangers of unintentionally overdosing or contaminating the product,” warns Dr. Granados. Spacing out the timeline of your doses may additionally lead you to make use of the remedy previous its expiration date.
Above all, Dr. Sharp says that medical supervision is crucial when taking these medicines. “Microdosing with out correct oversight may end up in unmonitored unwanted side effects or severe problems together with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis, kidney damage, and gallstones.”
Ought to You Microdose Ozempic?
It could appear interesting to take smaller quantities of Ozempic to scale back the chance or severity of unwanted side effects whereas nonetheless reducing weight. Nevertheless, at current, microdosing Ozempic stays a grey space, and neither Dr. Sharp nor Dr. Granados advise doing so.
“I personally attempt to keep away from non-approved makes use of of medicines or a minimum of wait till strong scientific proof turns into obtainable,” says Dr. Granados. As such, she advises that individuals take the exact doses of GLP-1 meds as prescribed by their doctor. In case you’re frightened about unwanted side effects or are presently coping with them whereas in your full prescription, she says that there are different methods to curb them. As an illustration, you may eat smaller meals all through the day to advertise simpler digestion, eat slowly and chew totally, and depend on tried-and-true nausea treatments like ginger tea and peppermint tea. Dr. Granados provides that the primary month is often the hardest for her sufferers who expertise detrimental unwanted side effects whereas on Ozempic, and that these usually taper off or cease by month two.
Sizzling Tip: Take into account taking HUM’s Flatter Me Fiber GLP-1 Booster!
The Takeaway
It could sound interesting to microdose Ozempic, but it presently lacks scientific backing and poses dangers together with contamination and opposed results. As such, you’re higher off taking the complete dose below the care of your prescribing doctor.
That mentioned, each Dr. Granados and Dr. Sharp are open to the concept of microdosing Ozempic. “If extra information turns into obtainable revealing that smaller doses of Ozempic are secure and efficient, then this might grow to be a legitimate possibility below a physician’s steerage,” says Dr. Granados. Whereas Dr. Sharp doesn’t endorse microdosing Ozempic because of restricted analysis and potential security issues, she does see potential benefit in it—with the caveat that it must be evidence-based. “Microdosing could also be extra appropriate for people who’ve beforehand tolerated greater doses for weight reduction, utilizing decrease doses for upkeep,” she shares. “It could even be thought-about for these searching for preventative advantages, equivalent to lowering irritation or enhancing glucose regulation, although vital weight reduction is unlikely at such low doses.” She cautions that Ozempic microdoses shouldn’t be used to handle diabetes—and once more, that any GLP-1 protocol (microdosing or in any other case) ought to at all times be below shut medical supervision.
And in case you’ve but to make the leap to start out your GLP-1 journey for weight reduction, you may need to take into account different choices. As an illustration, analysis exhibits which you can enhance your GLP-1 ranges naturally by way of food regimen by prioritizing protein, fiber, and wholesome fat at every meal. You can even take into account taking a complement like HUM’s Flatter Me Fiber, which has been clinically examined to double your GLP-1 ranges upon first use, whereas additionally curbing urge for food and lowering bloating.
Microdosing Ozempic FAQs
What’s a microdose of Ozempic?
A microdose could be something lower than what your physician prescribed, which generally begins at 0.25 mg and will increase to 0.5 mg at week 5.
Does microdosing GLP-1 work?
Individuals have claimed to expertise advantages together with however not restricted to weight reduction and lowered unwanted side effects whereas microdosing GLP-1 medicines. Nevertheless, no scientific trials up to now have confirmed that it’s efficient, and any Ozempic doses beneath 0.25 mg lack FDA approval.
Is microdosing semaglutide secure?
At current, microdosing semaglutide isn’t confirmed to be secure. “As an advocate for evidence-based medication, I don’t endorse microdosing GLP-1 medicines because of restricted analysis and potential security issues,” says Dr. Sharp. Some influencers and different on-line sources supply guides to microdosing Ozempic, but it surely’s greatest to keep away from them and keep away from placing your religion of their claims and directions.
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