A new trend gaining popularity among people trying to lose weight is microdosing the diabetes drug Ozempic.
Approximately 70% of American adults meet the criteria for being obese or overweight, so more people are meeting the criteria for being obese or overweight. weight loss drugs To help them lose weight.
Ozempic is approved as type 2 diabetesits counterpart Wegovy is approved to treat obesity. Both are made by Novo Nordisk.
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Eli Lilly also offers a diabetes drug, Mounjaro, and a weight-loss version, Zepbound.
In a new trend, doctors report that some people are using “microdosing” of Ozempic in smaller doses each day.
“Ozempic is the only version of Ozempic, Wigoby, Zepbound and Maunjaro that can be injected weekly that has the option of ‘hacking’ the pen with a lower dose,” says Dr. Alexandra Sowa. obesity medicine expert and founder of New York-based SoWell told FOX News Digital.
She is also the author of the book “The Ozempic Revolution,” which is scheduled to be released on January 7th.
Fox News Digital spoke to experts to learn more about this latest trend.
Microdosing Ozempic refers to the use of smaller doses compared to standard therapeutic doses traditionally prescribed for management. type 2 diabetes Experts say it helps with weight loss.
This practice has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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“Standard dosing regimens are based on clinical trials to determine the most effective and safe doses for these conditions, so medical clinicians typically do not recommend this approach,” says Fatima Cody. Dr. Stanford said. Obesity internal medicine doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
There are no established guidelines for microdosing, but there are reports on social media of people using doses 10 to 100 times lower than standard prescriptions, says Digest, who runs True You Weight Loss in Cary, North Carolina. Dr. Christopher McGowan, an internal medicine physician and obesity expert, added:
Doctors noted that some people may be confused by the terminology.
“I think there’s a bit of a misunderstanding. Some people say they’re ‘microdosing’ when they’re taking a starting dose of a drug, or they’re not taking it all the way up to the escalating dose. ” says Sowa. Said.
McGowan said the main reason for microdosing is cost reduction.
For example, patients may think that if a complete prescription costs more than $250 per week, they can get some benefit for just $25, he said. value of medicine.
With approximately 70% of American adults meeting the criteria for being obese or overweight, more and more people are turning to weight loss drugs to lose weight.
According to GoodRx, the average monthly retail price for Ozempic is more than $1,000 without insurance.
Some people seek microdosing to reduce the incidence or severity of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and vomiting. stomach discomfortaccording to Stanford.
“Some people may start with microdosing to gradually get their body used to the drug, and ease up to the full therapeutic dose over time,” she said.
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However, experts noted that the drug’s potential effects are likely to diminish proportionately as the dose is reduced.
According to Dr. Amy Rothberg, a clinical professor in the Department of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes at the University of Michigan, individuals may ingest trace amounts due to supply issues.
“Some people may start with microdosing to gradually get their bodies used to the medication and ease up to the full therapeutic dose over time.”
“Some people feel that by being able to extend the supply, they may benefit from microdosing and see the effects,” said Rothberg, who is also medical director of Rewind, a lifestyle program for people with type 2 diabetes. he told Fox News Digital. “As we know, the placebo effect can have a strong influence.”
McGowan noted that the most likely risk of microdosing is a lack of efficacy.
“Microdosing Ozempic or other [weight-loss] The drug is completely off-label, unproven, and has no support clinical research‘ he warned.
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Stanford University also warned that lower doses may not provide adequate blood sugar control, leading to uncontrolled diabetes and related complications.
It also has the potential for misuse, as well as potentially leading to suboptimal weight loss and unpredictable results, she added.
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People who microdosing often use “compound” versions of drugs that are not regulated by the FDA.
“This creates risks such as contamination, formulation inconsistencies, and uncertainty about the actual strength of the product being injected,” McGowan said.
One doctor pointed out that if you don’t change your diet and physical activity patterns, the long-term effects disappear when you stop the drug.
Additionally, these compounded versions are typically dispensed in vials that require a syringe to draw it out, as opposed to the FDA-approved versions, which are easier to use.
Sowa warned that using the mixed version through a vial poses the risk of overdosing the drug, which could be replaced by a microdose instead of a macrodose.
Some healthcare providers are reluctant to always offer microdosing to selected patients, but there is one caveat. That means you should always consult your doctor. medical clinician before changing your medication regimen.
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“As long as it’s dispensed and monitored by a physician, I don’t see how someone could overdose, especially if you’re administering such a small amount,” said Dr. Suzanne A. Trott of Double Board Certified Plastic Products. said. a general surgeon in Beverly Hills told Fox News Digital.
“I’ve seen a lot of patients put on metformin for weight loss, and I don’t see how this is any different,” says Trott, who runs his own microdosing clinic.
Trott pointed out that there are many “off-label” treatments being offered to patients.
”botox and fillers It’s not even FDA approved in most of the places we use it,” she said.
Experts agree that drugs alone will not cause lasting weight loss.
“I think people find it easier to take the medication, but ignore the concomitant medication. behavioral changes” Rothberg said.
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She noted that long-term effects disappear when the drug is stopped, unless there are changes in dietary and physical activity patterns.
Trott also recommends maintenance. consistent exercisestrength training, hydration, and high protein intake to maintain muscle mass.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, for comment.
Original article source: Ozempic “microdosing” is the new weight loss trend: should you try it?
