Ozempic, the injectable medication for type 2 diabetes is gaining popularity among people who want to lose weight.
But are the results worth the risks? Medical experts weigh in on the consequences of using the drug other than its intended purpose.
“Think twice before using Ozempic. Stop hoarding Ozempic & do not self-medicate to lose weight,” @dochappy95 tweeted alongside a report of a woman who had a serious bowel injury due to the use of Ozempic.
Stop hoarding Ozempic & do not self medicate to lose weight!
— DocHappy (@DocHappy95) January 26, 2024
The woman is among other complainants who recently filed a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk – the maker of Ozempic, after experiencing extreme side effects from the use of the injectable drug.
Doctors told the woman that she will be in pain “for the rest of her life’ and “will never have a solid bowel movement again,” the report said. All the complainants in the case claimed that Ozempic caused Gastroparesis – a condition that affects the spontaneous movement of the muscles (motility) in the stomach preventing it from emptying properly.
Gastroparesis interferes with normal digestion and causes nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, Mayo Clinic said.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastroparesis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355787
Registered Pharmacist and Doctor of Pharmacy, Arshie Laga also warned against the side-effects of Ozempic.
“Hindi po aprubado ng Philippine (FDA) Food and Drugs Administration ang Ozempic bilang pampapayat.
(The Philippine FDA did not approve Ozempic as a weight loss drug),” he explained in a video on his Twitter page.
Pwede ba gamiting pampapayat ang Ozempic? pic.twitter.com/oyVAjRxwaa
— Arshie Larga (@Arshiethromycin) January 25, 2024
“Even ang manufacturer of Ozempic – Novo Nordisk ay hindi nagsasabing hindi ginagamit bilang pampapayat ‘o weight loss ang Ozempic. (Even the manufacturer of Ozempic – Novo Nordisk says that it should not be used for weight loss),” he added.
He also emphasized that Ozempic is a prescription drug so an official doctor’s visit is required before procuring the drug.
“Pag may nakita po kayong nagbebenta ng Ozempic online, bawal po iyan. Mag-iingat po kayo kasi baka fake or counterfeit ang binebenta nila. (If you see someone selling Ozempic online, that is prohibited. That might also be fake or counterfeit,” he emphasized in his tweet.
Larga’s tweet has been viewed over 66,000 times and shared nearly 4,000 times.
“Kami tuloy na kailangan talaga ng ozempic ang hirap maghanap kasi andami daw gumagamit nito for the sole purpose of losing weight. (Those who really need Ozempic are now having difficulties in getting it because many are using it for the sole purpose of losing weight,” one commenter said.
Kami tuloy na kailangan talaga ng ozempic ang hirap maghanap kasi andami daw gumagamit nito for the sole purpose of losing weight 🙁
— o(sin/cos) (@otanginamark) January 25, 2024
Aside from the abovementioned side-effects, US-based facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Parsa
Salehi also said Ozempic removes facial fat causing sagging of the face.
“When you see patients who are on Ozempic for a long time, it takes out the fat in their face and it
causes the face to look [hollower]. The wrinkles of the face become more prominent – something you
wouldn’t see on someone with that age,” he said.
Is Ozempic Worth It: A Plastic Surgery Perspective
In this video I discuss the risks and benefits of Ozempic/Mounjaro medications from a plastic surgery perspective. 🌐💉
I dive into the cosmetic/medical considerations and potential impacts on surgical outcomes.
Remember,… pic.twitter.com/JIjOZqEIiE
— Parsa Salehi MD, MHS (@DrParsaSalehi) January 25, 2024
Aside from warning against the indiscriminate use of Ozempic, the medical experts also emphasized that
proper diet, exercise, and adequate sleep are still the best ways to regulate weight and improve one’s
health.