Ozempic: what it is used for and what diseases it treats

During the second half of last year, Ozempic was the drug most affected by supply problems , according to the Report on Supply Problems of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) for the second half of 2024.

Coincidentally, GLP-1 analogues, the family of drugs to which semaglutide (Ozempic) belongs, also appeared among the supply problems highlighted in the previous edition of the report , and the report of the Drug Supply Information Centre for last year includes two formulations of Ozempic among the 15 products with the highest incidence of supply shortages, one of them in first place. Taken together, the data show a trend of supply problems that has been frequent since semaglutide began to be marketed in Spain.

What is semaglutide and how does it work?

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, is a drug from the family of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) agonists . As explained by specialist M. Regina Castro in an article published by the prestigious Mayo Clinic (United States), what these drugs do is imitate the function of this hormone: stimulate the body to produce more insulin when blood glucose levels begin to rise after a meal.

This is, first of all, very useful in the treatment of type II diabetes; however, its benefits may not be limited to this pathology. Although we do not fully understand why this happens, GLP-1 agonists also have the potential to help control appetite , which is why they are increasingly used in the treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity or overweight. It is believed that this could be due to the fact that these drugs reduce the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine, increasing the feeling of satiety. However, it should be noted that in any case, treatments with this type of compounds must be accompanied by changes in diet and lifestyle.

There is also evidence that GLP-1 agonist treatments reduce the risk of certain major cardiovascular diseases (such as heart failure or stroke) and kidney problems, all of which are strongly associated with diabetes or obesity. In recent times, some studies have also found evidence that they could be used to address problematic alcohol and tobacco use.

Side effects and possible risks

Like all drugs, GLP-1 agonists carry a certain risk of adverse reactions and side effects , so they require a prescription to ensure that they are used correctly in the cases for which they are indicated.

Some of the most common and immediate risks of this type of medication include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea ; in the longer term, especially with combination therapies, there is a risk of hypoglycemia (chronically low blood glucose levels, which can lead to certain organ damage).

Finally, the use of semaglutide and other GLP-1 agonists is not recommended for those with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia, or for those who have suffered from pancreatitis. These recommendations are based on studies in animal models, and further study of these risks in humans is still needed.

References

AEMPS (2025). Report on Supply Problems - Second half of 2024. Consulted online at https://www.aemps.gob.es/medicamentosUsoHumano/problemasSuministro/informes-semestrales/docs/segundo-informe-semestral-problemas-suministro-2024.pdf on February 25, 2025.

AEMPS (2024). Report on Supply Problems - First half of 2024. Consulted online at https://www.aemps.gob.es/medicamentosUsoHumano/problemasSuministro/informes-semestrales/docs/primer-informe-semestral-problemas-suministro-2024.pdf on February 25, 2025.

CisMed (2025). 10 years of the Drug Supply Information Centre.

M. Regina Castro. GLP-1 agonists: Diabetes drugs and weight loss - Are there drugs for type 2 diabetes that can help people lose weight and lower their blood sugar? Are there side effects? Mayo Clinic. Accessed online at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/expert-answers/byetta/faq-20057955 on February 25, 2025.

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