There has been an alarming increase in recent years of celebrities and other public figures taking the medication Ozempic for the intention of losing weight.

Ozempic acquired fame as a "miracle" weight-loss medication after being licensed by the FDA initially for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

However, this improper usage of Ozempic underscores the risks to one's health associated with utilizing drugs for purposes other than those prescribed by medical professionals.

Ozempic: What Is It?

Ozempic, a medicine that falls under the class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

The FDA authorized Ozempic, a weekly injectable medication, in 2017 as a component of type 2 diabetes treatment.

It is also referred to by its generic name, semaglutide. It helps individuals with Type 2 diabetes, better control their blood sugar levels.

Ozempic functions by imitating the actions of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone that slows down digestion and stimulates the release of insulin to assist control blood sugar levels.

According to a research examining how semaglutide affects stomach emptying, postprandial glucose and lipid responses, and fasting reveals that Ozempic slightly inhibits the emptying of the stomach. As a result, the postprandial circulation's glucose rate is lowered.

In one study, individuals with type 2 diabetes were treated with metformin, another FDA-approved medication for the condition, and a special diet.

Ozempic demonstrated a correlation with 94% sequence homology to human GLP-1, triggering an insulin response identical to that of individuals without type 2 diabetes.

How Ozempic Is Misused to Lose Weight

Weight loss is one of its primary, beneficial side effects, and it's currently being marketed as the new miracle drug for people with type 2 diabetes as well as those who are overweight.

Ozempic is becoming more and more well-liked among those who want to reduce weight.

This is because the medication might suppress appetite and slow down digestion, which makes one feel fuller and consume less food.

On the other hand, taking Ozempic for weight loss without a doctor's supervision would be harmful.

In a research on the risk of semaglutide misuse utilizing the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System, it was discovered that semaglutide was the cause of 26.1% of all adverse events that were recorded.

Gastrointestinal problems accounted for the majority of AERs associated with semaglutide; an off-label medication use for semaglutide was noted here. Regarding documented results by medication, semaglutide was linked to deaths in 3.3% of AERs.

Comparing semaglutide to other GLP-1 analogues such as dulaglutide, liraglutide, exenatide, lixisenatide, tirzepatide, albiglutide, and the combo phentermine–topiramate, the most Adverse event reportings related to drug misuse, abuse, and withdrawal were frequently recorded for semaglutide.

Hazards Associated with Ozempic Misuse

1) Possible Adverse Effects: Ozempic, like all drugs, can result in adverse effects. These consist of stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and constipation.

Furthermore, Serious adverse effects, including as allergic reactions, hypoglycemia , an increased risk of thyroid cancer, gallstones, and pancreatitis, are among the other problems that "off-label" use of ozempic is generating.

Regaining weight if lifestyle modifications aren't done after stopping the drug is also one major problem of misusing the drug.

2) Dietary Imbalances: Ozempic can cause deficiencies in vitamins and minerals by slowing down digestion, which can interfere with the absorption of vital nutrients.

Serious health effects like, osteoporosis, anemia and weakened immune system might result from this.

3) Drug Interactions: Ozempic may have negative interactions with other drugs. Before beginning Ozempic, it is crucial to that doctor know about all of the medication’s which patients use.

Ozempic and insulin may interact. Moreover, glinides and sulfonylureas, two drugs that release insulin, interact with it. This combination increases the risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.

Taking Ozempic with levothyroxine led to greater thyroid hormone exposure in a 2021 scientific study.

4) Interaction with other medical condition: It is contraindicated to use Ozempic in patients with thyroid cancer or tumors.

Those who have type 2 Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome (MEN2) shouldn't use Ozempic. This rare genetic disorder increases the risk of thyroid and other endocrine gland cancers.

5) Dependency: People who abuse Ozempic for weight loss may develop a psychological dependence on the medication as a result of learning to rely on it to regulate their hunger and food intake.

6) Absence of Long-Term Safety Data: Clinical trials have demonstrated Ozempic's efficacy in treating diabetes; however, its long-term safety for weight loss goals has not been determined.

It's dangerous to use Ozempic for weight loss without long-term safety data.

The Significance of Medical Oversight

The improper use of Ozempic to lose weight highlights the need for medical supervision when taking prescription drugs.

It is essential to speak with a healthcare provider before beginning any medicine to find out if it is right for the individual and to go over the advantages and disadvantages.

Made by the same company that makes Ozempic, a popular weight-loss drug that has been making headlines lately, is Wegovy.

In 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Wegovy, a weekly injection used for long-term weight management, as a preventative measure. This medication is the first to be authorized for this use since 2014.

Semaglutide is the same active component found in both Wegovy and Ozempic. On the other hand, Ozempic was created for individuals with type 2 diabetes and contains lower amounts of semaglutide. Wegovy was designed to aid in weight loss and has greater semaglutide dosages.

On compiling, although Semaglutide offers assurance in the management of type 2 diabetes, its inappropriate use for the aim of weight loss is worrisome. 

Semaglutide seems to be useful for the purpose for which it is prescribed under recommended circumstances. Effective weight-management plans should, nevertheless, be customized for each person.

Patients may have varying pharmacological tolerances, varying economic circumstances, and other comorbid conditions.

More research has to be done to compare various drug types administered for this purpose more directly, as well as to determine whether certain lifestyle strategies work better alone or in combination with these medications.