Photo of multiple Ozempic injection pens all in one basket.
The first time I heard the name was in a tweet posted by Elon Musk.
The next time I heard that name was when Kim Kardashian was in the midst of a scandal where she wore Marilyn Monroe's famous dress. But more recently, I've heard the name associated with what feels like every celebrity on the left and right.
This name is not a brand or the name of a new tool that people are using, but rather the name of a drug named Ozempic.
Ozempic is a Federal Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug originally designed for adults with type 2 diabetes. This drug is very important for people with type 2 diabetes because it lowers blood sugar levels and controls insulin and its effects.
This drug mimics an important digestive hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). This mimicry achieves the drug's intended purpose. However, this is not the only effect of the drug. In addition, mimicking GLP-1 slows gastric emptying, prolongs satiety, and suppresses appetite. As a result, this drug had a noticeable side effect of weight loss.
As such, Ozempic is prescribed for “off-label” use, meaning that the drug is prescribed for uses other than its originally intended purpose, specifically for weight loss. Ozempic's parent company, Novo Nordisk, has even developed an entirely different drug called Wigovy, which is specifically designed to treat obesity. Both Ozempic and Wegovy drugs are the same and both are prescribed for weight loss. However, the differences are primarily in the dosage and purpose labeling.
Historically, there have been countless other diets, supplements, and medications that people have taken to achieve a thinner appearance, but many of those fads didn't have long-term effects. However, as knowledge of Ozempic and Wigoby spread, more and more people began to be prescribed the drugs. The idea of losing weight in a short period of time sounds appealing to many, but the results are starting to become more common.
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This name is not a brand or the name of a new tool that people are using, but rather the name of a drug named Ozempic.
The first problem arises as a result of so many people starting to take these drugs. Due to its increasing popularity for weight loss, some of this drug is in short supply. If Wegovy is not available, some people will use Ozempic instead, resulting in a Wegovy shortage. Therefore, those who really need Ozempic injections to live without hardship may not be able to get it when they need it, which in itself can lead to a dangerous situation.
Another issue is the cost of purchasing these drugs. Without insurance, Ozempic's monthly supply would be about $892 and Wegovy's about $1,300. Additionally, if people applying to obtain these drugs do not meet FDA standards, they are less likely to be covered by insurance. That can make it very difficult for people who really need these drugs to get them, which adds to the idea that there will be moments when drugs are especially scarce.
If, after knowing all this, people still want to try Ozempic or Wigovy in order to quickly lose a few extra pounds, there are some nuances that you should know about this drug. Once you stop taking the drug, the weight will return quickly. To them. The drug's mimic GLP-1 does not suppress appetite, so appetite will return to the person and perhaps weight as well.
After all, Ozempic and Wegovy may be the latest weight loss craze, but that doesn't mean they're without consequences. In turn, those consequences can cause real harm to those who need them.
