The Ozempic Overload

Throughout this article, the aim is to question the efficacy and strength of research completed regarding Ozempic, while distributing much needed information surrounding its necessity in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Since the usage of Ozempic across the globe has recently ascended drastically, it is essential for society to understand the detrimental impacts Ozempic can have, while weighing up their options of whether to use it. Therefore, this article highlights what Ozempic is, its impacts, alternatives, and overall whether the research completed is enough to prove its safety.

So, what is ozempic? 

Ozempic is the branded name for semaglutide, a medication prescribed to treat individuals with type 2 diabetes and wrongly believed to be prescribed for obesity and weight loss, despite the multitude of celebrities that promote it for those reasons. The smallest dose of the injection contains 0.25mg of semaglutide in a 0.19 ml solution, which can increase to 0.5mg or 1mg, and the drug works by increasing incretin levels which helps the body to produce insulin by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone. This mimicking causes the brain to believe that the body is full despite not eating a thing, which is possible due to the fact that semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. 

GLP-1 agonists imitate the way a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 works in the body, the role of which is to stimulate insulin secretion and to inhibit glucagon secretion. By stimulating the release of more insulin, the hormone helps to lower blood sugar, and thus aids in controlling type 2 diabetes, but unfortunately not type 1.

Known impacts

The rapid ascent of Ozempic usage has resulted in a negative correlation of Ozempic utilisation against the volume of research that has been completed regarding it. Therefore, while some information can be provided, the validity of this data cannot be confirmed. Effects of Ozempic range from highly positive, to extremely detrimental. 

Jacqueline Keddie after one day of using Ozempic (left) and after seventy days of using Ozempic (right).

One favourable impact of Ozempic is its ability to reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes. However, it is often not prescribed for this reason and usually is only given to those suffering from type 2 diabetes. Alongside this, it can be beneficial for individuals struggling with obesity, although Ozempic is not primarily used for obesity and due to this those using it for this reason are usually prescribed it privately.

Despite this, while there isn’t any scientific research to evidence the benefits of Ozempic on obesity, there have been many individuals who have lost masses of weight due to it.

For instance, Jacqueline Keddie ‘lost two-and-a-half stone in three months’ by using Ozempic. Many people find Ozempic the most useful due to its lack of withdrawal symptoms and compatibility with other drugs, including birth control. For many this is its main drawing point as it makes it simple but effective to use, while not interfering with other aspects of their health.

Similarly, Ozempic is particularly useful for women’s fertility, as while not much research has been completed on the matter, many women who have taken it have recorded that their fertility has increased. One example of this is Rebel Wilson, who states her reason for taking Ozempic was that it increased the chances of her IVF working.

However, some people find the consequences of taking Ozempic severely outweigh the positives. One major issue with taking Ozempic is the mental effects it can have such as thoughts of suicide, increased anxiety and depression, as well as body dysmorphia. While the physical effects are essential to understand, the mental effects are just as trying. Many side effects of Ozempic relate to the decrease in food intake.

For instance, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling full quickly and/or for a long period of time after eating, stomach paralysis, and bloating are all serious side effects that prevent people from wanting to take Ozempic. Furthermore, there are some even more severe physical effects such as gallbladder issues, gallstones, pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, and vision loss. Considering there are other methods of weight loss, many find these potential side effects too drastic to take the risk of using Ozempic compared to safer methods.

What makes someone ‘eligible’ for Ozempic?

Ozempic is majorly prescribed for adults over the age of 18 when:

• Using the other medications has not been effective in managing diabetes,

• The individual cannot take the other medications for various reasons.

Ozempic is only prescribed to people who have a BMI of 35kg/m2, which is counted as severely obese, yet a plethora of celebrities manage to access the injections through private healthcare and nutritionists, using it when at times they don’t even need it. This only worsens the demand and lack of stock of the drug for those who are eligible. As well as this, it promotes it to younger audiences who shouldn’t be using it or don’t need to.

Furthermore, an individual with type 2 diabetes below a BMI of 35kg/m2 can be prescribed the medication if:

• Using insulin affects their job due to the risk of hypoglycemia. (When your blood sugar is below the standard range).

• Or if the weight loss caused by ozempic leads to improved health.

Thus with so many individuals having type 2 diabetes being able to benefit greatly from Ozempic, should celebrities really be using it just for their own weight loss journeys?

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Control diabetes type 2	Not enough research completed
Increased heart health	Major negative side effects
Reduce obesity	Possible allergic reactions
Heart attack and strokes reduced	Increased fatigue
Assists weight loss	Bowel difficulties
Increased fertility	Changes hormone (incretin) levels

Other similar drugs

There are a few different injectable drugs which include GLP-1 receptor agonist, such as Ozempic. However, another similar drug, which goes by the name of Wegovy, is essentially the same drug as Ozempic as it includes semaglutide - although it purely has a different brand name.

The main difference between Wegovy and Ozempic is that Wegovy is approved to help with weight loss in adults and kids 12 and above with obesity. Whereas, Ozempic is only approved to lower blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes over the age of 18. As well as this, there are structural differences between Ozempic and Wegovy, which means that Wegovy contains a larger dose of semaglutide than Ozempic.

Furthermore, there is also Mounjaro which is similar to both Wegovy and Ozempic in the sense that it also contains GLP-1 receptor agonist. However, in the case of Mounjaro it also includes a GIP receptor agonist, which regulates energy balance in adipose tissue and the brain. While Mounjaro is meant to be used specifically for individuals with type 2 diabetes, these characteristics make it a prime medication for weight loss as well.

Although not enough research has been completed surrounding the usage of Mounjaro for weight loss, therefore, it continues to be used for type 2 diabetes primarily. As well as this, Ozempic and Wegovy contain semaglutide, while Mounjaro includes tirzepatide - this is less expensive than semaglutide but still has just as little research.

Furthermore, both Ozempic and Mounjaro are recommended for individuals 18 years or over, while Wegovy can be used for children over the age of 12.

Therefore, other than price and slight differences in the hormones they mimic, there aren’t any major differences known as of present. This is one of the main reasons why more research must be done so the most effective and safest treatments can be outlined.

Overall thoughts on Ozempic

As a result of the information provided, it is clear that the research that has been completed on Ozempic and alternate drugs is not enough to prove its safety or efficacy.

As well as this, the alternatives are not always prescribed for weight loss however are still being used to increase it. Due to this, overall, there is a serious need for more research on Ozempic to be done - particularly in the case of weight loss since at the moment not enough Ozempic is being spared to those with type 2 diabetes.

Therefore, the distribution of prescriptions and usage across weight loss patients and type 2 diabetes individuals must be reassessed, alongside the efficacy and safety of it being used for weight loss in general.

Belly laughs with bio :)

What does Jacqueline use to play the guitar?

Ozem-pic

So, question of day…

Is ozempic the future of weight loss and diabetic treatment, or will it only lead to more issues?