Billionaire Elon Musk credited That’s because of his dramatic weight loss.Celebrity site claims there are more A-listers with it to keep yourself in good shape. And TikTok is full of influencers showing off amazing before-after shots showing their weight loss after using it.
what is that? The drug, called semaglutide, is marketed under various brand names, including Ozempic, which was approved in 2017 to treat type 2 diabetes, and Wigobee, which was approved only last year as a weight-loss drug.
The topic of these drugs is lacking bothThe condition is expected to last for months, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, causing anxiety among diabetics who rely on Ozempic for blood sugar control. Experts warn it’s important to understand that these are not silver bullets and that taking them for other than their intended purpose carries risks.
Here’s what you need to know about semaglutide, including how it works and the risks.
What is the science behind this drug?
Semaglutide helps lower blood sugar levels by mimicking the hormones that are naturally released when you eat food. Ariana ChaoAssistant Professor of Nursing and Medical Director of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Weight and Eating Disorder Center. This drug, given by injection, keeps you feeling full longer, regulates your appetite, and reduces hunger and appetite.
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This drug is in great demand. In 2019, more than 11 percent of the population was diagnosed with diabetes, four tenths Adults classified as obese in 2020.
People with type 2 diabetes often have trouble with insulin, a hormone that helps break down food and convert it into fuel the body can use, Zhao said. Semaglutide signals the pancreas to make more insulin and lower glucagon, which helps control blood sugar levels. This can lead to weight loss, but experts note that while high doses of semaglutide (Wegovy) are approved, Ozempic is not approved for that purpose.
We Goby is First drug since 2014 It will be approved for chronic weight management. The difference between the two drugs is that Wegovy is administered at a higher dose of semaglutide than Ozempic. Wegovy’s clinical trial showed more weight loss compared to Ozempic, but only slightly greater improvement in glycemic control, Chao said.
The FDA views Ozempic and Wegovy as two different drugs with different uses. Zhao said many insurers cover Ozempic’s diabetes, but not Wegobee’s obesity (a classic example of weight bias in medicine). Since obesity and his type 2 diabetes are closely related, and obesity is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes in him, some providers use his two doses somewhat interchangeably. This is why
What are the risks?
As with all drugs, there can be drawbacks.
According to Zhao, the most common side effects are gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, constipation and diarrhea, as well as pancreatitis, gallbladder disease and diabetic retinopathy.
Recent reports of extreme vomiting and gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying) are to be expected, says Angela Godwin, a nurse and clinical assistant professor at New York University’s Rory Myers College of Nursing. increase.
Gastroparesis “means food stays in the stomach longer and you feel full longer,” she explains.
Nausea is one of the biggest side effects of drugs like Ozempic and Wegobee, and it can always cause vomiting, says Godwin. in junethe American Association of Anesthesiologists recommended that patients stop taking these drugs before surgery to avoid aspiration and vomiting.
“In my experience, it’s usually acceptable,” she says. “But sometimes I ask.” [patients]”So what happened?” [say] They ate too much and ate too quickly. And yes, the body can’t take that much food anymore, so it spits it out. ”
These drugs extensively Studiedbut their relatively recent approval means researchers don’t yet know the effects of long-term consumption of them.
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As research continues, we are learning more about what happens when people stop taking these drugs. Perhaps the current shortage is compelling many to do so. research It suggests that patients may lose weight when they stop using the drug, especially if they make no lifestyle changes.
“In almost all weight loss research, it really depends on the foundation,” says a Stanford endocrinologist. Sun Kim. “Your lifestyle efforts determine how much weight you lose. 20% can be returned.
These drugs can be very expensive, especially if insurance does not cover them. According to Kim, injection pens cost more than $1,000.
What does it mean to use this medicine off label?
Off label drug use means use of a drug in a manner other than its intended purpose and FDA-approved purpose and may not be safe or effective. Ozempic is only approved for type 2 diabetes and Wigobee is only approved for patients with a BMI greater than 30 or 27 if they have weight-related comorbidities such as hypertension.
“There is no scientific evidence to show whether this drug is effective or even beneficial for people who do not meet FDA-approved labeling criteria, such as those with a BMI of less than 27,” Zhao said. “Also, we do not know the side effects or risks in these populations. There may be unknown drug reactions. These drugs are not fast-acting.”
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Experts warn against trying to get drugs by traveling to countries that don’t require them without a prescription, even if you meet the criteria.
“If the drug is not used under the supervision of a healthcare provider, it can be abused,” Chao said. “More serious adverse events may occur.”
Godwin said recent reports of extreme vomiting and gastroparesis are reminders that patients should schedule regular checkups with their doctors when taking these drugs.
“Now that the drug is so prevalent, I think practitioners may be tempted to prescribe it more freely and not have to monitor their patients as often,” she says.
Patients should not increase the dose of Ozempic without physician approval. This is possible because one pen contains multiple doses. “We haven’t ramped up to that level yet, so there are definitely a lot of potential side effects,” says Godwin. The same goes for his Wegovy. Wegovy has his 4 pens for one dose.
Robert GaveyThe American Diabetes Association’s chief scientific and medical officer said the association was “extremely concerned” about the shortage of Ozempic.
“This drug has become an important tool for people with diabetes,” he says. “In addition to lowering blood sugar and weight, it has been proven to reduce cardiovascular events such as heart attack, which is one of the leading causes of death in people with diabetes.”
Last resort?
Still, Kim says prescribing drugs like Ozempic and Wegoby to patients desperate for a new approach to weight loss makes her feel “like a superhero.” By the time patients visit her, she often tries strategies such as following the advice of Weight Watchers and nutritionists. In that case, drugs like Ozempic or Wigoby could be great options, she says.
“Sometimes what I feel is that as they lose weight, it really translates into their lifestyle, and then they become more active,” says Kim. “It’s hard to lose weight. 75% of the US population is overweight or obese. If this helps, I don’t think you should hold back.”
Zhao agrees that these drugs are a good alternative for people who are unable to lose 5% of their body weight within about three months of making a lifestyle change. Still, she recommends trying these approaches before resorting to her medication.
Patients “need to reduce calories and focus on healthy eating patterns as well as increase physical activity,” she says. “It’s important that they understand that it’s not the easy way out, even if they’re on medication. They still need to change their lifestyle.”
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to clarify the differences between Ozempic and Wegovy.
