Ozempic prescriptions appear to be becoming more and more popular, but there are questions about how the drug will affect certain populations, especially certain age groups.
Ozempic, a drug for treating type 2 diabetes, has received national attention for one of its side effects, weight loss.
With the word “Ozempic” being played hundreds of millions of times and trending on TikTok, celebrities and influencers praised the drug’s weight-loss benefits, rising demand led to a shortage in 2022.
Although their original purpose is to help the pancreas make insulin, Ozempic and other semaglutide drugs (such as Wegobee) work by targeting receptors in the brain to reduce hunger and create a feeling of fullness. .
One study found that using semaglutide for six months could lead to an average weight loss of more than 10 percent.
However, little is known about how this drug affects people who use it for weight loss, especially older people. Ozempic’s clinical trials and studies do not include a significant number of people over the age of 65, leaving gaps in the available data and experts warn it is a cause for concern. are doing.
This means that Ozempic may affect different age groups differently, not just older people.
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Although Ozempic is approved for people over the age of 18, it should always be prescribed with caution and with the person’s age in mind. Rekha Kumar, MD, MSsaid the chief medical officer of the medically assisted weight loss program Found and a practicing endocrinologist in New York City. health.
“When prescribing these [semaglutide] When using pharmaceuticals, we have to keep in mind what side effects and other medical conditions may be present at a particular stage in life,” Kumar said. “Contraindications that may be related to the stage of life should also be considered.”
Contraindications for Ozempic are:
- A personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (a type of thyroid cancer)
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (an inherited disorder associated with cancers of the thyroid, parathyroid, and neuroendocrine system)
- Serious allergic reactions to semaglutide or other ingredients in Ozempic
Due to ongoing physical development and limited research on long-term effects, teenagers are usually not advised to use these drugs. Dr. Raj Dasguptasaid a clinical associate professor at the University of Southern California, who works at the University of Southern California Keck Medicine in Los Angeles. health.
For individuals between the ages of 20 and 60, Dasgupta said using Ozempic for off-label weight loss may be a good choice if lifestyle changes have been ineffective, but the decision is case-by-case. added that it should be done.
Of particular concern are adults over the age of 60. Dasgupta said most of the research on semaglutide has been in individuals in their 40s and 50s, so the available data are limited and not encouraging.
In clinical trials of semaglutide, people over the age of 65 were more likely to experience gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and vomiting. They were also generally more likely to stop taking the drug because of side effects.
Kumar emphasized caution in using Ozempic in patients over the age of 60, as they may have underlying medical conditions and may experience weight loss as a symptom.
“They may appear successful on their weight loss journey,” says Kumar. “But there could be something sinister going on in the background, like a new cancer or a new inflammatory condition.”
That’s partly why treating patients over the age of 60 is difficult, she says.
“We definitely don’t want to assume that someone’s weight loss success is solely due to weight loss pills and an overall weight loss program,” she repeated.
As with most prescription drugs, side effects are normal and expected, but the effects of Ozempic vary with age.
For women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, the FDA-approved label states, “There are limited data to inform the risk of drug-related adverse developmental outcomes for the use of semaglutide in pregnant women.” is described. Based on animal studies, “there may be potential fetal risks from exposure to semaglutide during pregnancy.”
The label advises that Ozempic “should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.”
Adding to her pregnancy concerns, Kumar said: health One of the most concerning side effects of Ozempic is believed to be related to prescribing warnings.
“This is a concern because some doctors are prescribing too liberally, and patients may not have given a good medical history,” she said.
Without a detailed medical history, doctors may prescribe drugs that are dangerous to the patient.
Other common side effects include fatigue, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. Sagging and aging skin, often referred to as “Ozempic Face” or “Ozempic Butt”, is also common.
“Acute weight loss, not just the use of these drugs, can cause sagging skin,” Dasgupta said. “While this is primarily a cosmetic issue, it can cause discomfort and other issues in some cases.”
To minimize this, Dasgupta advises people to lose weight gradually while maintaining a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition, exercise, hydration and sleep.
In rare cases, Ozempic can cause more serious side effects such as inflammation of the pancreas, changes in vision, and severe allergic reactions.
Anyone interested in taking Ozempic or similar medications should ask their healthcare provider how the medication works and what benefits and side effects to expect based on age and health. is important.
It is also important to provide your doctor with a comprehensive medical history of you and your immediate family members so that they can be sure that illnesses and risks can be mitigated.
Dr. Kumar says that new alcohol consumption and binge eating may be a concern for this drug in certain age groups, so being transparent about your lifestyle can help your doctor make the right choice for you. added that it would help to
“I encourage patients to ask their physicians how they feel about long-term plans for weight loss programs and ongoing role medications,” says Kumar. “It’s not a black and white decision. There are options in between to continue using medications to maintain healthy weight loss.”
