Key Takeaways

When you rapidly lose weight while on Ozempic (semaglutide), you may lose muscle in addition to fat. To prevent muscle loss, you’ll want to increase protein intake and make sure you are exercising regularly. 

High-quality sleep also helps to maintain muscle mass. Experts recommend 7 to 9 hours a night. If you’re noticing muscle loss from taking Ozempic, talk with your healthcare provider about the best methods to prevent it. 

Does Ozempic Cause Muscle Loss?

Weight loss drugs like Ozempic contain the active ingredient semaglutide, which helps to suppress appetite and slow digestive function. Ozempic can cause rapid weight loss, which is the desired effect for most users, but this can sometimes cause a decrease in muscle mass as well. If you plan to take Ozempic for weight loss, you may need to take some extra steps to help prevent muscle loss while on it. 

Understanding Ozempic and its Effects on the Human Body

Ozempic is the brand name of a drug called semaglutide. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic which is the main reason Ozempic works for weight loss. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist or GLP-1 receptor agonist. 

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When semaglutide binds to the GLP-1 receptors in the brain it helps you feel satisfied and full, helping to prevent cravings and overeating. Another effect of Ozempic is the way it slows down digestion. This means that you’ll be able to eat smaller amounts and feel satisfied for longer. This helps with calorie reduction and ultimately leads to significant weight loss in most people who use the medication consistently. 

The Connection Between Ozempic and Muscle Loss

It is important to be aware of possible side effects and drawbacks before starting any prescription medication–you don’t want to be caught off guard by things like Ozempic muscle loss. It is important to talk in-depth with your provider before starting Ozempic so that you can know what to expect and how to prepare. 

Most people who are trying to lose weight are focused on losing fat. When you lose weight quickly you will often lose muscle as well as fat. Studies have pointed to the risk of muscle loss while taking anti-diabetic drugs like Ozempic. For this reason, it is important to take steps to maintain muscle mass.

Risk Factors for Muscle Loss with Ozempic

Certain individuals may be at a higher risk of experiencing muscle loss from Ozempic than others. If you know you are at an increased risk of losing muscle while on Ozempic, you may need to take additional steps to maintain your strength while on it. Risk factors that make you more likely to experience muscle loss include:

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• Age. Individuals who are older are at a higher risk of muscle loss given that muscle volume can naturally decrease with age. 
• Sedentary lifestyle. Being inactive will make you more likely to experience muscle loss when taking Ozempic. 
• Chronic disease. Having certain chronic diseases may make you more likely to have muscle loss, such as cancer, neurologic conditions like stroke, hormone imbalance, or COPD.
• Other medications. Some other medications can cause muscle loss, such as corticosteroids. If you are taking these medications in addition to Ozempic, your risk for muscle loss will increase.

Preventative Measures for Muscle Loss While Using Ozempic

Now that you know taking Ozempic can increase your chances of experiencing muscle loss, you are probably ready to know how to prevent it. Below we’ve listed some tips to help you maintain muscle mass while enjoying the benefits of taking Ozempic.

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise stimulates muscle protein synthesis helping you to maintain muscle mass. Some of the most effective exercises for maintaining muscle mass include resistance training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). 

Resistance training includes weight lifting, bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats, and working out with resistance bands. HIIT workouts alternate between short bursts of high-intensity exercise with periods of rest in between. 

Increase Protein Intake

Focusing on your dietary intake of protein can help you to maintain muscle mass while taking Ozempic. Eating protein helps to increase muscle mass in several ways since it stimulates muscle protein synthesis and helps to maintain your basal metabolic rate. 

You may need some nutritional guidance to help keep your diet on track while taking weight loss medications like Ozempic. Ahara is a fast and convenient way to get weight loss medications online with added benefits like nutritional guidance from registered dietitians. 

Prioritize Sleep

Many people don’t realize that sleep helps with muscle building. Make sure you are sleeping 7 to 9 hours a night to help ensure that your body has time to repair and rebuild muscle. 

Talk with Your Doctor About Nutritional Supplements

Certain supplements like creatine may help with building muscle while taking Ozempic. Talk with your doctor about what supplements are safe and practical for you and always check with them before adding a supplement into your daily routine, especially if you’re taking prescription medications. Working closely with healthcare providers helps to ensure that your weight loss journey goes smoothly and helps you prevent challenges along the way. 

Try the Ahara Med Weight Loss Program with dietitian support.

How Quality Sleep Can Affect Muscle Loss with Ozempic

When people think about building muscle, they’re often thinking about the extra work they need to put in, like lifting weights and prepping healthy meals. Not everyone realizes that laying your head on your pillow and getting high-quality sleep will also have an important impact on your muscle growth. 

When you sleep, your body releases certain hormones that help to repair and build muscle tissue. When you don’t sleep well enough or for long enough, your muscles don’t get the time they need to recover, which limits muscle growth. Most experts recommend sleeping 7 to 9 hours a night for optimal health. 

Impact of Diet and Exercise in Managing Muscle Loss on Ozempic

The most important steps you can take to prevent muscle loss with Ozempic is to focus on your diet and lifestyle. You’ll be eating a lot less than usual while on Ozempic so you’ll want to make sure that the food you do eat is rich in nutrients and high in protein. You may need some help getting started with a healthy eating plan. The skilled dietitians at Ahara are ready to help guide you on your health and wellness journey by providing nutritional support to help ensure that you find success while taking weight loss medication. 

Exercise is also essential for maintaining muscle mass while on Ozempic. Make sure to workout 3 times a week or more and incorporate plenty of strength training such as weight lifting and resistance training. If you’re new to working out, you’ll want to start slow and ease your way in. You may benefit from professional guidance from a personal trainer or attending a group fitness class to get started. Talk with your doctor about what type of exercise is safe for you, especially if you have underlying health issues. 

Ways to Address Muscle Loss If You're On Ozempic

If you’re already on Ozempic and noticing muscle loss as a side effect, you’ll want to start taking some of the steps listed above. Focus on adding protein into your diet and eat small meals regularly to ensure that your body is getting the nutrients it needs. Do strength training exercises to help build new muscle and make sure you’re staying hydrated. Prioritize a healthy sleep habit so you can support muscle repair and your overall health. Talk with your doctor about muscle loss so that you can get professional tips on how to manage muscle loss while on Ozempic. 

FAQs 

Muscle loss can occur as a side effect of semaglutide. Below are common questions about this side effect, along with our expert answers to help you better understand and manage it.

Does Ozempic reduce muscle mass?

Ozempic can reduce muscle mass for some people. When you lose weight quickly while on Ozempic, you may lose muscle as well as fat. Taking steps to maintain muscle mass and build new muscle can help prevent muscle loss from happening while on Ozempic.  

How do you prevent muscle loss on semaglutide?

To prevent muscle loss while on Ozempic, you’ll want to make sure to eat enough protein, exercise regularly, and prioritize a healthy sleep pattern. Follow any additional tips given to you by your healthcare provider. 

Does Ozempic cause muscle and bone loss?

Ozempic has been known to cause muscle loss and it can also cause your bone density to decrease as well. Having a lower bone density can place you at an increased risk of fractures and injuries. 

Every prescription medication comes with potential side effects. That is why it is vitally important to work closely with a healthcare provider when taking any prescriptions, especially weight loss medications like Ozempic and semaglutide. Make sure you’re aware of possible side effects and the steps you need to take to prevent them before you start any medications. 

Ahara offers virtual health care provider visits, where you can get all of your questions answered before you start semaglutide as well as ongoing support from nutritionists to help guide you on your journey to eating and living healthy. Schedule your virtual consult today. 

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