Ozempic is a blockbuster diabetes drug that has taken the weight loss world by storm in recent years, and has become something of a popular product.
Semaglutide is the clinical name for branded drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. is in short supply for about two years as manufacturers struggle to keep up with demand for off-label use. Recently, to keep up with the popularity of this drug, versions of the drug primarily aimed at weight loss have appeared on the market, such as Wegovy.
But even if you can secure a prescription, paying for ongoing semaglutide treatment can be a challenge. Without insurance, monthly costs can easily add up to thousands of dollars. Many people, especially young people and young adults, do not have access to the real thing, which is why some seek weight loss methods at home.
One such DIY trick has become popular on the social media platform TikTok and has raised concerns from some experts. One such trend is “Budget Ozempic.” lack of itself. Here's what you need to know:
What is Ozempic and how does it work?
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The popular drug, known by name brands such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, was originally formulated and prescribed to treat diabetes, but later versions such as Wegovy were created with the express purpose of weight loss. As USA TODAY previously reported, the drug's clinical name, semaglutide, mimics the hormone GLP-1, which helps release insulin from the pancreas.
These drugs work by sending signals to the appetite center in the brain, reducing hunger and increasing satiety.
Semaglutide has been shown to help patients lose 15% to 20% of their body weight, but it is also expensive, costing about $1,000 per month, and is often not covered by insurance when used primarily for weight loss. there is.
What is “Budget Ozempic”?
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Due to the prohibitive cost of prescribing semaglutide, people desperate for a similarly effective weight loss solution are turning to alternatives.
This may seem suspicious to some people, but telemedicine Options, bootleg drugs, or order from other countries, Some people have turned to DIY hacks circulating on TikTok that claim to have a similar effect.
Influencers post with hashtags like #guttok has been viewed 1.12 billion times; They are beginning to suggest the use of laxatives to young people who want to lose weight. Many also use laxatives and stool softeners such as Miralax, Dulcorx, Exrax, and Glycolax as health measures that have benefits such as “flushing the body,” “detoxifying the body,” and “improving gut health.” Introducing the use of drugs.
Research has shown that the abuse of laxatives for weight loss is not new, but it is an ongoing problem. A new study was published in '.JAMA network openAccording to “, nearly 1 in 10 adolescents worldwide use non-prescription weight loss products during their lifetime, with laxatives, diuretics, and diet pills being the most commonly used. got it.
Laxatives are cheap and easily available, but they are ineffective for real, sustainable weight loss. Despite being called a “budget Ozempic”, laxatives do not contribute to significant weight or fat loss, they simply drain water from the body, giving the appearance of weight loss at first. there is.
What are the risks of “low-budget Ozempic”?
by National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)Abuse of laxatives is a common tactic among people suffering from eating disorders.
People often misuse laxatives as a means of flushing unwanted calories from the body, mistakenly believing that the food is flushed out of the body before the calories are absorbed.
In fact, most food calories have already been absorbed in the small intestine long before the laxatives take effect in the large intestine. Although you may feel “emptier” or less bloated after the laxatives take effect, little or no dietary fat or calories actually leave your body.
In return, “water weight” – water, minerals, electrolytes, fiber, and colonic waste products – is reduced. Your stomach may become flattened temporarily, but as you drink more water, this “water weight” will return to normal.
According to NEDA, laxative misuse has multiple health consequences, including severe dehydration, colon and kidney damage, colon infections, irritable bowel syndrome, liver damage, and lack of sufficient electrolytes and minerals.
