“Oh Oh, oh, Ozempic,” croon the voices of a frequently aired commercial for Ozempic, the Type 2 diabetes medication, Ozempic from Novo Nordisk. The song is set to the melody to the tune “Magic” from the band Pilot from the 1970s. It’s appropriate given its capability to trigger rapid weight loss as an adverse consequence of blood sugar management The drug is hailed as a”miracle cure” by people who are aware. “Patients believe it’s a miracle medication,” says New York dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank, MD as well as other doctors, is frequently asked about it in a alarming rate. “Other then Viagra and Botox I’ve never seen other drug that has so swiftly become an integral part of our society’s social language.”
It’s not an exaggeration. The phrase “post-Ozempic physique” is popular and frequently discussed in social media as well as IRL as speculation rages about after any highly publicized and visible weight loss. In the last month, Elon Musk acknowledged Wegovy which is a drug similar to Wegovy that he used as one of the factors behind his slimmer appearance (fasting was another); Andy Cohen tweeted about #Ozempic in September. which has garnered more than 274 million views on TikTok as of September; and it’s been widely reported the possibility that Kim Kardashian relied on the drug to lose weight to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s iconic Wiggle Dress at the Met Gala. If celebrities are willing to admit taking it (or it’s not), Google searches for Ozempic are also increasing, indicating an unending desire to know more about its slendering effects.
Click here for information on the Ozempic copay card.
Thinness is currently dominating the fashion scene once more (some might argue that it has never truly gone away) It’s an opportunity to see how easily weight is affected by trends. However, the fact that a lot of people are willing to expose themselves to frequent injections and possibly uncomfortable adverse effects as a result of fitting into a strict body type is alarming, to put it mildly. “I am concerned about body distortion, dysmorphia and the model we’re setting for women who are at risk of being influenced by falsely filtered images of what beauty is,” claims LA cosmetic dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD. Nancy Rahnama, MD, an internist with a board-certified certification and obesity-medicine specialist working in Private practice located within Beverly Hills, agrees: Celebrities who are using, or using these drugs for weight loss–not to improve their health, but rather to get their ideal body–is extremely problematic due to the enlargement of the weight-loss cult, according to the Dr. Rahnama. When slim waistlines are conflated as health-related, so what, precisely, is this constantly renamed class of drugs and who should, and maybe more importantly, should not be using these drugs?
How do you define Ozempic?
Semaglutide, an active component in Ozempic is part of the class of drugs known as GLP-1 antagonists. They mimic the hormone that we all produce in our intestines , which releases after we begin eating. “Semaglutide boosts insulin release in response to glucose intake , and results in a slight delay in the process of emptying gastric juices,” says Ariana Chao, MD, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and medical director of the center’s Center for Weight and Eating Disorders. “It also affects the areas of the brain that are involved in controlling appetite and eating. It also increases your body’s sensitivity to the insulin that produces on your own according to Holly Lofton, MD, an associate professor of clinical research in the department of medicine and surgery, and Director of the Medical Weight Management Program at NYU Langone Health. “By doing this,” explains Dr. Lofton, “it helps your body’s fat cells to shrink in time.” Novo Nordisk produces semaglutide Ozempic as well as Wegovy, whichare being approved for two distinct purposes they are actually similar. “Semaglutide 1 mg (Ozempic) is a weekly injection FDA approved for treating diabetes since 2017. A dose of 2 mg was approved in the early 2022 timeframe,” says W. Scott Butsch, MD, MSc, Director of the obesity department at the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute at Cleveland Clinic. “Wegovy is an increased dose of semaglutide taken weekly (2.4 mg) which was approved to treat of obesity in the month of July 2021.”
Are Ozempic accepted by the FDA to help you lose weight?
It’s not exactly. Wegovy is approved to reduce weight in adults aged 18 or over with an index of body mass (BMI) that is 30 or more or a BMI of 27 or more with a comorbidity such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. (A new study has demonstrated its efficacy and safety in adolescents too.) “Wegovy was the first of an entirely new class of anti-obesity drugs that were extremely efficient,” says Dr. Butsch. “Its 12.4 percent body weight loss during its 68-week controlled randomized trial of more than 1,900 patients who had an average body mass index of 37 was more effective than any of the current treatment options for obesity. Additionally, more than half of the participants (55 percent) dropped over 15% of their bodyweight, and 35 percent lost more than 20 percent.” However, since Ozempic is typically easier to obtain than Wegovy and Wegovy, many are taking this particular semaglutide for the weight gain “leading to non-approved use,” claims the doctor. Rahnama. The fact that it can be administered at home by injections once a week in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm has contributed to the popularity of it, particularly during the outbreak.
What exactly is Ozempic function?
In simplest terms it reduces appetite and tricked the body to feel full. “When naturally created by the body, the hormone that Ozempic is akin to] keeps us full for a few hours, while when it is in the form of medication, fullness is felt for all day,” says Dr. Rahnama. Each time you consume it, you will feel the feeling of being full for a period of six to seven days, and it will increase over time. “I have patients who tell me they could eat only less than a third of the food they usually eat and feel satisfied, stay longer without eating, and stop snacking,” says Dr. Lofton. Research on Wegovy have proven to be a secure method to control weight even for teenagers, in a study that was published within The New England Journal of Medicine just a few weeks ago. If semaglutides are utilized correctly according to the doctor. Rahnama, appetite is not completely suppressed, but is better managed. However, when they are used improperly the appetite may be completely suppressed. This can cause or worsen eating disorders.
Are there any side effects or dangers associated with Ozempic?
Yes. The most frequent adverse effects of Ozempic are described in the fine print of the advertisements digestive. Constipation and nausea and loose stools are frequently reported and, for some, can lead to the cessation of the medication. “Rare but severe side reactions that have been observed when using a semaglutide are an inflammation in the pancreas, diabetes retinopathy, kidney issues, gallbladder issues, and allergies,” claims the doctor Dr. Chao. For certain, Ozempic is not recommended: It’s not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing or having an individual or family background of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple tumors of the endocrine system.
How long do you have to remain on Ozempic?
Since Ozempic is a drug that treats an ongoing condition and is not that is designed to be removed. “Ozempic is a treatment for patients with diabetes, and is intended to be used for a long time,” says Dr. Rahnama. “If the medication ceases and patients return to their old eating habits due to increased appetite and weight loss, they’ll regain the weight loss and return to their blood sugar levels.” The medications that treat obesity are similar to the ones that treat high blood cholesterol or high blood pressure according to the Dr. Butsch: Long-term control of the disease is dependent on the drug. “A temporary approach is the result of the belief of obesity as a condition which is why medications are not required to achieve a short-term benefit,” Dr. Butsch says. Obesity, according to the Dr. Butsch, is often considered to be a lifestyle decision, with medication acting as”management tools. “This is a false notion however. We have enough knowledge about how energy is controlled levels and body weight, as well as the genetic causes of obesity to realize that it’s not as simple as that,” continues Dr. Butsch. “While I am concerned about the possibility that this drug (as well with Wegovy as well as Mounjaro) is being used for people who don’t have any indications, I believe that the approval of these drugs and other similar drugs over the coming years will raise awareness about the complex nature of weight control and obesity and help to dispel the previously-held beliefs that have been the basis for this diet culture.”
What happens if you get off Ozempic?
There are numerous studies on the efficacy of Ozempic however, as it’s an extremely new drug There isn’t any studies yet to determine the long-term effects of taking it. When you stop taking it you could be able to return to your normal weight and blood sugar levels. That’s why nutritionists like Charles Passler, DC, insist on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet when taking the medication. The Dr. Passler, who approaches weight loss holistically, assists his patients with the Ozempics to change their eating habits so that they can get the most weight loss that the injection can bring while maintaining their muscle. He also stresses breathwork biofeedback, stress management and sleeping, which he believes are helpful in sustaining and bolstering an energizing diet. A close monitoring of every patient when they are taking Ozempic is crucial according to the doctor. Lofton, which is the reason why taking your friend’s medicine or getting it from an medi-spa can be a problem. prescribing by unexperienced doctors is a major concern according to her. “It is best to use it under the supervision of a medical professional because there is a risk of adverse side effects which could lead to you being in an emergency room,” says Dr. Lofton and adds that the stories that are being reported in the media about patients who experience intense vomiting are evidence of its blatant use. “It shouldn’t make you feel this way,” adds Dr. Lofton, saying that anyone who is in that situation should have stopped using or had their dosage dramatically reduced, or had an examination sonogram. “Doctors who are knowledgeable about the mechanism of action and who have the time to monitor patients on a regular basis and in a timely manner should be the only physicians who prescribe the medication,” says Dr. Rahmana.
Who should use Ozempic (and who should not)?
Although the FDA guidelines on Ozempic’s use to treat Type 2 diabetes are there however, many doctors prescribe Ozempic off-label, which is, in fact, is an extremely common practice in the field of medicine. However, it is still a source of concern for the Dr. Chao: “I do have concerns with prescribing semaglutide off-label since the drug isn’t well-studied for people who do not have Type 2 diabetes or in those who are not obese.” Many medical professionals are concerned that the medication is being prescribed excessively or incorrectly prescribed. “If one wants to shed some pounds and I’m talking about, it’s true that this medication isn’t the right thing to do for those who are just trying to lose weight,” says Dr. Passler. The use of BMI as a factor to determine who is eligible has problems of its own. “BMI isn’t perfect however, and it doesn’t directly relate to morbidity or death,” says Dr. Lofton who frequently uses other health indicators such as waist circumference to determine if a person is overweight and at risk of developing heart disease.
Can Ozempic’s prescription overprescribing cause an increase in demand for those who require it the most?
Yes. In the initial six-month period following Wegovy being approved as an obesity treatment in the month of July 2021 There were shortages of supplies due to demand as well as manufacturing, according to the Dr. Butsch, which led many to choose Ozempic in its place. “Many new clinics were taking lower doses of semaglutide for treating obesity, which inevitably led to an increase in supply for those who were taking Ozempic to treat diabetes even though the FDA approved the 2 mg dose in the early part of 2022.” Dr. Butsch continues. “There is now a problem for patients who have been taking this medication for a long time for blood sugar control but are not able to access the drug due to its improper use,” adds Dr. Rahmana. There’s currently an insufficient supply of Ozempic as well as Wegovy for patients with diabetes who depend on these medications to keep their blood sugar levels in check, and for those who are hoping to get an off-label medication.