You may have recently come across mention of the drug Ozempic in the news or online. Much of the discussion has been around the use of Ozempic as a weight-loss drug, although this isn’t its primary purpose. It also has side effects that can include causing or exacerbating a dry mouth, a condition that’s been referred to as “Ozempic mouth”.
So, what is Ozempic, how does it work, and what can you do to help avoid or reduce some of its side effects?
What is Ozempic and how does it work?
Ozempic is a drug primarily intended to help treat type 2 diabetes, and delivered by injection once a week.
It works by increasing the levels of hormones naturally produced by the stomach when you eat. This increases the amount of insulin your body produces, reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver and slows down how quickly food is digested. As a result, blood sugar levels are reduced.
Ozempic is also used as a weight-loss drug, although it is not licensed for this purpose in the UK. It achieves this by slowing the rate of digestion, making you feel fuller for longer and helping regulate your appetite.
What are the side effects of Ozempic?
Ozempic can cause certain side effects. More common side effects include:
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Risk of worsening retinopathy (diabetic eye disease)
• Risk of low blood sugar
There is also evidence that using Ozempic can result in a decrease in the amount of saliva your mouth produces, leading to a dry mouth (xerostomia). Dry mouth is a common symptom of diabetes, and if you’re using Ozempic to help treat your diabetes, it may result in making your dry mouth worse.
Having a dry mouth can be unpleasant, uncomfortable and even painful, but it can also result in other problems. Saliva not only lubricates the inside of the mouth, it also helps wash away food particles, helps protect teeth from decay and has anti-microbial properties that help maintain healthy gums. As a result, if your mouth isn’t producing enough saliva, you may be more likely to develop oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.
What can I do to help reduce side effects?
If you’re experiencing a dry mouth, due to diabetes, as a result of using Ozempic, or due to other causes, there are a few different steps you can take.
Sipping water throughout the day, and avoiding alcohol, caffeine and salty or spicy foods can all help.
You can also use a saliva substitute; a product designed to provide the natural functions of saliva to lubricate, soothe, and protect your mouth.
How can Oralieve help?
The Oralieve dry mouth relief range has been specially designed to provide you with lasting relief from the discomfort of dry mouth. Formulated to mimic the natural properties of saliva, Oralieve products help soothe and protect your oral tissues to provide immediate, long-lasting moisture when you need it most.
Ozempic can be an important tool in helping manage type 2 diabetes, and can be used to help patients lose weight. However, it can also cause a dry mouth or make a dry mouth worse. If that happens, Oralieve is there to help keep your mouth comfortable and protected.
Ozempic, dry mouth, and you
You may have recently come across mention of the drug Ozempic in the news or online. Much of the discussion has been around the use of Ozempic as a weight-loss drug, although this isn’t its primary purpose. It also has side effects that can include causing or exacerbating a dry mouth, a condition that’s been referred to as “Ozempic mouth”.
So, what is Ozempic, how does it work, and what can you do to help avoid or reduce some of its side effects?
What is Ozempic and how does it work?
Ozempic is a drug primarily intended to help treat type 2 diabetes, and delivered by injection once a week.
It works by increasing the levels of hormones naturally produced by the stomach when you eat. This increases the amount of insulin your body produces, reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver and slows down how quickly food is digested. As a result, blood sugar levels are reduced.
Ozempic is also used as a weight-loss drug, although it is not licensed for this purpose in the UK. It achieves this by slowing the rate of digestion, making you feel fuller for longer and helping regulate your appetite.
What are the side effects of Ozempic?
Ozempic can cause certain side effects. More common side effects include:
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Risk of worsening retinopathy (diabetic eye disease)
• Risk of low blood sugar
There is also evidence that using Ozempic can result in a decrease in the amount of saliva your mouth produces, leading to a dry mouth (xerostomia). Dry mouth is a common symptom of diabetes, and if you’re using Ozempic to help treat your diabetes, it may result in making your dry mouth worse.
Having a dry mouth can be unpleasant, uncomfortable and even painful, but it can also result in other problems. Saliva not only lubricates the inside of the mouth, it also helps wash away food particles, helps protect teeth from decay and has anti-microbial properties that help maintain healthy gums. As a result, if your mouth isn’t producing enough saliva, you may be more likely to develop oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.
What can I do to help reduce side effects?
If you’re experiencing a dry mouth, due to diabetes, as a result of using Ozempic, or due to other causes, there are a few different steps you can take.
Sipping water throughout the day, and avoiding alcohol, caffeine and salty or spicy foods can all help.
You can also use a saliva substitute; a product designed to provide the natural functions of saliva to lubricate, soothe, and protect your mouth.
How can Oralieve help?
The Oralieve dry mouth relief range has been specially designed to provide you with lasting relief from the discomfort of dry mouth. Formulated to mimic the natural properties of saliva, Oralieve products help soothe and protect your oral tissues to provide immediate, long-lasting moisture when you need it most.
Ozempic can be an important tool in helping manage type 2 diabetes, and can be used to help patients lose weight. However, it can also cause a dry mouth or make a dry mouth worse. If that happens, Oralieve is there to help keep your mouth comfortable and protected.