For those who’ve ever been interested in GLP-1 meds, you’ve doubtless seen the great 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 rivals, it might come at a price—each in your pockets and in the event you expertise nausea. (In medical trials, an estimated 20 to 30 % of individuals handled this GLP-1 facet impact.) Because of this and others, some individuals are opting to microdose Ozempic… however is it a good suggestion?
We requested weight reduction physicians for every thing price figuring out 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 under.
What Counts As a GLP-1 Microdose?
In line 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 normally 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 had been to take any lower than these quantities, then I’d take into account that microdosing.”
Elizabeth Sharp, MD, DABOM, IFMCP, a board-certified inner 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 line with Dr. Sharp, a number of the largest claimed advantages of microdosing Ozempic embody:
- Help for weight upkeep and urge for food management
- Diminished irritation
- Enhanced neurocognitive operate and attainable safety in opposition to dementia and Alzheimer’s illness
- Improved intestine well being
Nevertheless, it’s essential to notice that these purported advantages are anecdotal. “They lack affirmation by way of medical research, and no standardized dosing or period pointers 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 drugs your physician has already prescribed to you, doing so isn’t with out its dangers.
To start out, microdosing is usually related to compounded GLP-1 drugs; they’re simpler to microdose as they arrive in vials. Ozempic, however, 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. (Observe: Dr. Granados says that compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide could be secure and efficient. She typically prescribes them—made by FDA-certified compounding amenities and state-licensed pharmacies—to her sufferers.) As well as, Dr. Sharp warns in opposition to getting your GLP-1 drugs from unregulated on-line sources, for the sake of microdosing or in any other case, which might pose security dangers as a result of contamination or inaccurate dosing.
Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless attainable 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 must appropriately dose and retailer the remedy in syringes,” Dr. Sharp explains. “Additionally they want to make sure correct administration.”
Any of those eventualities basically 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 by accident 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 drugs. “Microdosing with out correct oversight can lead to unmonitored unwanted effects or severe problems together with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis, kidney harm, and gallstones.”
Ought to You Microdose Ozempic?
It might appear interesting to take smaller quantities of Ozempic to scale back the probability or severity of unwanted effects whereas nonetheless dropping pounds. 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 at the least wait till stable medical proof turns into out there,” says Dr. Granados. As such, she advises that individuals take the exact doses of GLP-1 meds as prescribed by their doctor. For those who’re anxious about unwanted effects or are at present coping with them whereas in your full prescription, she says that there are different methods to curb them. As an illustration, you’ll be able to eat smaller meals all through the day to advertise simpler digestion, eat slowly and chew totally, and depend on tried-and-true nausea cures like ginger tea and peppermint tea. Dr. Granados provides that the primary month is normally the hardest for her sufferers who expertise detrimental unwanted effects whereas on Ozempic, and that these usually taper off or cease by month two.
Scorching Tip: Think about taking HUM’s Flatter Me Fiber GLP-1 Booster!
The Takeaway
It might sound interesting to microdose Ozempic, but it at present lacks medical 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 stated, each Dr. Granados and Dr. Sharp are open to the concept of microdosing Ozempic. “If extra knowledge turns into out there revealing that smaller doses of Ozempic are secure and efficient, then this might grow to be a sound choice below a health care provider’s steerage,” says Dr. Granados. Whereas Dr. Sharp doesn’t endorse microdosing Ozempic as a result of restricted analysis and potential security issues, she does see potential benefit in it—with the caveat that it needs to 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 might even be thought of for these looking for preventative advantages, equivalent to decreasing irritation or bettering 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 all the time 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 would possibly need to take into account different choices. As an illustration, analysis reveals you can enhance your GLP-1 ranges naturally through eating regimen by prioritizing protein, fiber, and wholesome fat at every meal. You can too 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 decreasing 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 diminished unwanted effects whereas microdosing GLP-1 drugs. Nevertheless, no medical trials so far have confirmed that it’s efficient, and any Ozempic doses under 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 drugs as a result of restricted analysis and potential security issues,” says Dr. Sharp. Some influencers and different on-line sources provide guides to microdosing Ozempic, nevertheless it’s finest to keep away from them and keep away from placing your religion of their claims and directions.
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