Weight loss pills have exploded in popularity over the past year, but some are wondering which celebrities are taking Ozempic as part of the trend.
This drug is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and a notable side effect is weight loss, so it is often prescribed off-label for this reason. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, is also approved as a treatment for obesity under the name Wegovy. (Ozempic's maker, Novo Nordisk, previously told TODAY.com in a statement that it does not support off-label uses of its drugs.) Examples of other similar drugs include Mounjaro and Nordisk. There are Zepbound and others.
It's hard to escape the fact that social media is full of photos of people using Ozempic and seeing dramatic results. And whenever a celebrity appears who appears to have slimmed down recently, accusations of Ozempic are bound to ensue.
However, there are some celebrities, like Ozempic, who have openly talked about taking weight loss drugs. Here's what they said:
(If you're interested in trying weight loss drugs, talk to your doctor first.)
oprah winfrey
In a December 2023 interview with People, Winfrey revealed that she was taking weight loss drugs, but did not specify which ones.
“Now I use it when I feel like it’s a tool to keep me from yo-yoing,” she said.
The TV personality, who has spoken at length about her weight struggles throughout her career, told People that the drug helps her maintain a healthy weight.
“The fact that there is a medically approved prescription to manage weight and stay healthier feels like a relief, a relief, a gift to me in my lifetime. “It's not something to be ridiculed for. I'm done with being shamed by others, especially myself,” she said.
Winfrey once thought weight loss pills were an “easy way out,” but she has since changed her mind.
“I realized that all these years I had been blaming myself for being overweight. I have a physical condition that no amount of willpower can control,” she said.
amy schumer
In a June 2023 conversation with Andy Cohen, Schumer admitted that he tried Ozempic “like a year ago,” but quickly stopped it due to side effects.
“I was one of those who felt bad too. I didn't like playing with my son,” she said during an episode of “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.”
Even though it's starting to work, Schumer said it's not worth continuing to take the medication.
“You think, 'Okay, this is a tough place for me to live,' but I invested right away. I was like, 'Hey guys and mom, let's give this a try,'” she said.
The comedian also encouraged other celebrities to be more honest if they are using Ozempic or similar drugs.
“Everyone's lying and everyone's like, 'Oh, it's low volume,' shut up, you're on Ozempic or one of those things,” she said. “Just be honest with people.”
tracy morgan
During an August 2023 appearance on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, Morgan approached the topic of Ozempic use in a comedic manner.
“You've been working on your body and your health,” Hoda Kotb said.
Morga cheekily replied, “No, it's Ozempic. That's why I lost this weight.”
At first it seemed like a joke, but later he admitted it was true. “I went and got a prescription and got Ozempic,” he said. “And I won't let it go!”
sharon osbourne
Osbourne has been open about her weight struggles over the years, recently revealing that she takes Ozempic to help manage her weight. However, she felt she was losing too much weight and did not want to continue her medication.
“I've lost 42 pounds and that's enough,” she said on an episode of Piers Morgan's podcast, according to E! magazine. news. “I didn't really want to lose this much weight, but it just happened, so I'll probably be wearing it all again soon.”
She added that she experienced nausea as a side effect.
“I don’t physically throw up, but it feels like it,” she said. “I felt nauseous all the time for about two or three weeks. I got really thirsty and didn't want to eat. That's it.”
heather gay
In November 2023, the “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star told People that she was “on the Ozempic train” and had been for a “long time.”
“I haven't done much, but it's been enough for people to take notice, which is great,” she added.
chelsea handler
During an appearance on the podcast “Call Her Daddy” in January 2023, Chelsea Handler said that anti-aging doctors “just teach[Ozempic]to everybody.”
“I didn't even know I was in it. She said, 'If you want to lose five pounds, this is it,'” Handler recalled.
The comedian said that when he returned from vacation, he decided to inject himself with the drug, even though he didn't fully understand what it was.
“A few days later, I went to lunch with my girlfriend and she said, 'I really haven't eaten anything. I'm feeling nauseous. I'm taking Ozempic,'” she said. “I feel a little nauseous too.'' But I had just returned from Spain, so I was jet-lagged. ”
At that point, Handler stopped using the drug.
“I'm an irresponsible drug user, but I'm not going to take diabetes medication,” she said. It's not for me. That's not right for me. ”
remi vader
In 2020, when she was pre-diabetic and gaining weight, Bader's doctor recommended she try Ozempic.
“They told me this.” need this. And I had very mixed feelings,” she told People magazine in January 2023. “After a few months, I stopped doing it and went on a serious binge drinking spree.”
“I'm starting to think maybe I haven't been hungry for that long. I've lost some weight,” she continued. “I didn't want to get attached to it long-term. I thought the moment I got off, I would starve again. Then my bulimia got even worse.”
Claudia Oshry
The social media personality spoke candidly about her use of Ozempic in August 2023.
“You thought they were going to make a weight loss pill and I wouldn't take it?” she said during an episode of her podcast, according to People magazine. “You're an idiot. Of course I'm going to accept that.”
Oshley admitted that she was “a little embarrassed” when she first took the drug.
“It's like, 'Oh my god, I have to inject myself with something to lose fat and stop eating.' Why can't I do it when other people can do it without it?” ?’ At first, my decision not to share came from a bit of embarrassment,” she said.
Despite his success with Ozempic, Oshry made it clear that he was not offering medical advice to anyone.
“That's what's working for me right now. That's the only reason I'm hesitant to talk about it, because I don't want to be like, 'I figured it out.' I solved a lifelong problem. “I haven't,'' she said.
She then revealed that she is no longer taking medication and has noticed some amazing changes in her body since then.
“I'm always so hungry and always looking for tasty snacks because I'm still trying to lose weight on my own,” she said in a recent TikTok. A snack or something to fill your stomach. ”
“You can't stay full. It's impossible,” she continued. “I just had a 12-ounce steak and I'm hungry so I'm eating popcorn. How do you stay full?”
Patti Stanger
In February 2023, “Millionaire Matchmaker” star Patti Stanger said she tried several drugs to lose weight.
“I'm on set,” she said during an episode of the “Behind the Velvet Rope” podcast. “I'll tell you the truth. I took semaglutide, the ingredient in Ozempic.”
Later, side effects occurred and I stopped taking it after 3 weeks. So Stanger tried Munjaro. She did not experience the same side effects while taking this drug.
“I don't get nauseous like other people,” she said.
emily simpson
Over the summer, the “Real Housewives of Orange County” star said she started taking Ozempic after learning she was pre-diabetic and had high cholesterol levels.
“I attended[Ozempic]for a month in December,” Simpson said, adding that it was a “great kickstart” and “worked wonderfully.”
The reality star has lost 5 to 7 pounds and said the medication has made her “more conscious of what I'm eating.” However, she stopped using it due to side effects.
“It made me lethargic and I didn't have much energy. It was difficult with three small children,” she said.
Dolores Catania
In April 2023, during a conversation with “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Andy Cohen, he said he was taking Ozempic.
“Is there a housewife out there who isn't participating in Ozempic?” mused Cohen, according to People magazine.
“Nobody…I was not going to come to the reunion looking like I was bigger than anyone else, so I jumped on the bandwagon,” she said.
Catania said she has not experienced any negative side effects.
Lauren Manzo
The “Real Housewives of New Jersey” alum says she started taking Munjaro after her doctor diagnosed her as “morbidly obese.” According to People magazine, the reality star significantly lost her weight while taking her medication.
“Since February, I've lost 30 pounds on Munjaro,” she said during a May 2023 podcast episode. “I get that. People don't like it, people don't praise it, people don't like it, but it's a shot in the stomach once a week. …You guys have been dealing with this problem since I was 20 years old. I saw the struggle, and it was really difficult for me.”
Manzo said the drug helped her more than other weight loss methods.
“I mean, I'm not going to lie, I feel like I myself have been on the brink of eating disorders and had issues. And this goes beyond weight loss surgery. It's the one thing that has helped me a lot and healed me and made me feel so much better mentally. And I'm so grateful.”
Golnesa “GG” Garachedagi
Greg Doherty/Bravo via Getty Images
In June 2023, the “Shaas of Sunset” star told her social media followers that she lost more weight than she intended while taking Ozempic.
According to People magazine, the star initially weighed 138 pounds, but after using drugs, she dropped to 110 pounds.
“Will I ever grow out of it? Maybe. Will I ever get it all back? Maybe. But for now, I'm enjoying the way I look. I'm enjoying what it's bringing me. ” she said. She says, “I would recommend this to anyone who is struggling to lose weight and wants an 'easy way out.' Summer is almost here. I'm not trying to stress that losing weight is the thing to do, but the truth is, some people want to lose weight. So I’m talking to you guys…not the fucking haters. ”
Fortunately, Gharachedaghi said she did not experience side effects like Ozempic's face due to rapid weight loss.
“As you can see, it hasn't affected my face in any way. Yes, I've had fillers and Botox and things like that, but I haven't had anything[recently]. As you can see, it's not sagging.” she said.
