Should you’ve ever been inquisitive about GLP-1 meds, you’ve seemingly seen the nice and the not-so-good that may come from these transformative weight reduction medicine. Whereas the scales might tip in your favor whereas taking Ozempic or its rivals, it might come at a value—each in your pockets and if you happen to 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 all the pieces value realizing about microdosing Ozempic, together with if it really works for weight reduction and if it’s secure. Try their sizzling takes on the development beneath.
What Counts As a GLP-1 Microdose?
In response to Desiree Granados, MD, a medical weight reduction physician in Sarasota and Port Charlotte, Florida, a microdose might 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 improve 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 contemplate that microdosing.”
Elizabeth Sharp, MD, DABOM, IFMCP, a board-certified inside drugs and weight problems drugs 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 larger.
Purported Advantages of Microdosing Ozempic
In response to Dr. Sharp, a few of the greatest claimed advantages of microdosing Ozempic embrace:
- Assist for weight upkeep and urge for food management
- Lowered irritation
- Enhanced neurocognitive operate and attainable safety towards dementia and Alzheimer’s illness
- Improved intestine well being
Nonetheless, it’s necessary to notice that these purported advantages are anecdotal. “They lack affirmation by way of medical research, and no standardized dosing or length pointers exist for these results,” Dr. Sharp explains.
Plus, since microdoses would require much less of the medicine, 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 begin, microdosing is usually 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 danger of antagonistic results. (Word: Dr. Granados says that compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide will 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 towards getting your GLP-1 medicines from unregulated on-line sources, for the sake of microdosing or in any other case, which may pose security dangers resulting from contamination or inaccurate dosing.
Nonetheless, 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 medicine in syringes,” Dr. Sharp explains. “Additionally they want to make sure correct administration.”
Any of those eventualities 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 by chance overdosing or contaminating the product,” warns Dr. Granados. Spacing out the timeline of your doses might additionally lead you to make use of the medicine 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 unintended effects or severe issues together with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis, kidney harm, and gallstones.”
Ought to You Microdose Ozempic?
It could appear interesting to take smaller quantities of Ozempic to cut back the chance or severity of unintended effects whereas nonetheless losing a few pounds. Nonetheless, at current, microdosing Ozempic stays a grey space, and neither Dr. Sharp nor Dr. Granados advise doing so.
“I personally attempt to avoid non-approved makes use of of medicines or at the very least wait till stable medical proof turns into out there,” says Dr. Granados. As such, she advises that folks take the exact doses of GLP-1 meds as prescribed by their doctor. Should you’re anxious about unintended 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’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 treatments like ginger tea and peppermint tea. Dr. Granados provides that the primary month is normally the hardest for her sufferers who expertise unfavourable unintended effects whereas on Ozempic, and that these usually taper off or cease by month two.
Sizzling Tip: Think about taking HUM’s Flatter Me Fiber GLP-1 Booster!
The Takeaway
It could sound interesting to microdose Ozempic, but it presently lacks medical backing and poses dangers together with contamination and antagonistic 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 knowledge turns into out there revealing that smaller doses of Ozempic are secure and efficient, then this might change into a legitimate possibility below a physician’s steering,” says Dr. Granados. Whereas Dr. Sharp doesn’t endorse microdosing Ozempic resulting from restricted analysis and potential security issues, she does see potential advantage in it—with the caveat that it ought to be evidence-based. “Microdosing could also be extra appropriate for people who’ve beforehand tolerated larger doses for weight reduction, utilizing decrease doses for upkeep,” she shares. “It could even be thought of for these searching for preventative advantages, equivalent to lowering irritation or enhancing glucose regulation, although important 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 begin your GLP-1 journey for weight reduction, you may need to contemplate different choices. As an illustration, analysis reveals you can increase your GLP-1 ranges naturally by way of eating regimen by prioritizing protein, fiber, and wholesome fat at every meal. It’s also possible to contemplate 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 can 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?
Folks have claimed to expertise advantages together with however not restricted to weight reduction and diminished unintended effects whereas microdosing GLP-1 medicines. Nonetheless, no medical trials thus far 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 drugs, I don’t endorse microdosing GLP-1 medicines resulting from restricted analysis and potential security issues,” says Dr. Sharp. Some influencers and different on-line sources provide guides to microdosing Ozempic, however it’s finest to avoid them and keep away from placing your religion of their claims and directions.
