From the Guidelines
Long-term Ozempic (semaglutide) use is generally safe and effective for weight loss and blood sugar control in most patients, with sustained benefits observed in studies lasting up to 2 years, as evidenced by the most recent and highest quality study 1. The positive effects of long-term Ozempic use include:
- Sustained weight loss, with an average weight loss of 15-20% of body weight
- Improved blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular events, as demonstrated by the SUSTAIN-6 trial, which showed a 26% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events compared to placebo 2 Potential side effects to monitor include:
- Gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which usually improve over time
- Increased risk of gallbladder-related issues
- Potential increased risk of pancreatitis
- Rare cases of retinopathy progression in diabetic patients Long-term use of Ozempic requires ongoing medical supervision, with regular check-ups to monitor blood sugar levels, kidney function, and screen for gallbladder issues. Patients should be educated on recognizing signs of rare but serious side effects like pancreatitis. The long-term efficacy of Ozempic is attributed to its ability to mimic GLP-1, a hormone that regulates appetite and insulin secretion, leading to reduced food intake and improved metabolic function over time, as supported by the most recent guidelines 1. Key considerations for long-term Ozempic use include:
- Starting with a low dose and gradually increasing as needed and tolerated
- Monitoring for potential side effects and adjusting treatment accordingly
- Regularly assessing kidney function and screening for gallbladder issues
- Educating patients on recognizing signs of rare but serious side effects like pancreatitis Overall, the benefits of long-term Ozempic use, including sustained weight loss, improved blood sugar control, and reduced cardiovascular risk, outweigh the potential risks, making it a valuable treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The effect of long-term glycemic control with semaglutide on diabetic retinopathy complications has not been studied. The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Effects of Long-Term Ozempic (Semaglutide) Use
- The long-term use of Ozempic (semaglutide) has been shown to have various effects on patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity, including:
- The safety and efficacy of semaglutide have been evaluated in several studies, including a 52-week open-label extension of the PIONEER 7 trial, which demonstrated the long-term efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes 4
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that once-weekly semaglutide was associated with substantial decreases in long-term relative and absolute body weight in patients with overweight/obesity and without diabetes 5
- However, the use of semaglutide has also been associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal adverse events, although these events are typically transient and mild-to-moderate in severity 4, 5
Metabolic Effects
- Semaglutide has been shown to have beneficial effects on metabolic parameters, including:
- A study protocol for a randomized clinical trial (SemaPsychiatry) aims to investigate the long-term effects of add-on treatment with semaglutide on metabolic status in pre-diabetic and diabetic patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder 6
Economic Considerations
- A study comparing out-of-pocket costs among commercially insured individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity found that sleeve gastrectomy was associated with lower out-of-pocket healthcare costs compared to Ozempic at 2 years after treatment 7