Shedding some pounds is a secondary benefit of my new medicine

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with Ozempic (semaglutide). Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy.

As a person diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who received a bilateral lung transplant in July 2021, I know that balancing medications is comparable to walking on a high wire, where even the slightest adjustment can affect what happens next.

In January, an A1C test, which tracks average levels of blood sugar, showed mine was higher than my nephrology team was comfortable with, and indicated I was prediabetic.

My care team added a new medication to help keep my A1C number under control, and I took my first injection of Ozempic (semaglutide), a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, on Jan. 31. It was the fastest prior authorization I had received on my journey, taking less than 24 hours from the time it was submitted to me having the medication in hand.

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Waiting on my weight to fall

Typically, dosing starts at 0.25 mg a week for four weeks, and then it’s titrated up to 0.5 mg a week for at least four weeks. My dose will stay at 0.25 mg a week for the time being while my A1C is monitored.

The Ozempic injections have kept my A1C in check, which was the primary reason I was prescribed it. Taking Ozempic was also coordinated with my transplant care team, who advised me to be aware of gastroparesis, a side effect that involves the slow movement of food through the stomach. I was also cautioned to look for any new reflux symptoms, such as gas, bloating, or fullness.

I have been seeing one side effect of taking Ozempic: I’ve been losing weight. When I had the first injection, I weighed 196.7 pounds, for a body mass index (BMI) of 28.2. On May 6, I weighed 182.8 pounds, a 13.9-pound difference, and had a BMI of 26.2. I am 5 feet 10 inches tall, so both my beginning and current weight place me in the “overweight” BMI category.

I have always had to work hard to manage my weight. This has been especially true since I was diagnosed with IPF. But I’ve set a goal now of 170 pounds, which is what I weighed when I graduated high school. My weight loss has been gradual, but it’s slightly more than a pound a week.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved Ozempic for weight loss, so using it for that purpose is generally not covered by insurance. Managing my A1C and supporting the management of my kidney disease were the basis for my use of Ozempic, and that’s so important to my overall post-transplant health.

But the secondary benefit is also important — for my physical and mental health. I consider having both a winning combination that helps me continue to make every breath count.

Note: Pulmonary Fibrosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Pulmonary Fibrosis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pulmonary fibrosis.