Tracy Morgan, Dolores Cantina and Golnesa “GG” Gharachedaghi: All tout Ozempic, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2017 to treat type 2 diabetes, as an effective weight loss tool . The hype surrounding this injectable drug has led to significant increases in sales and shortages. But is Ozempic a miracle solution for people struggling with weight loss?
“Caution should always be taken when a treatment is considered a panacea for a complex phenomenon like obesity,” says Dr. joseph tranzo,PhD, psychology Professor and Associate Director, Bryants University Faculty of Health and Behavioral Sciences. “There are many different factors that influence people’s dietary behaviors, and there is no single treatment that can address them all.”
Director, Faculty of Health and Behavioral Sciences Kirsten Hawkness The injection, developed by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, says it mimics a hormone called GLP-1, which helps stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin to lower blood sugar levels. GLP-1 triggers receptors in the brain that make you feel full, so one of the drug’s side effects is weight loss.
“It also delays stomach emptying, so you feel full longer and eat less,” Hokenes says, adding that although the FDA doesn’t approve Ozempic for weight loss purposes, people use Ozempic for such purposes. Two diabetic patients added that they were using it for the purpose and that this was causing a shortage of Ozempic.
Wegovy, a high-dose version of Ozempic, is prescribed for chronic weight loss management. The drug received FDA approval in 2021 and is intended for adults with a BMI of 27 or higher and a weight-related health condition. Depending on GLP-1, this drug reduces a person’s appetite and slows the movement of food from the stomach to the intestines.
Common side effects for both include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The use of Ozempic can also lead to muscle loss. new york times We reported in February that doctors are looking for ways to counter this effect. Dr. Trunzo points out that more serious complications include pancreatitis and kidney, gallbladder, and thyroid problems.
“Anytime you’re taking anything that affects hormone function, there’s a risk of side effects on the nervous system,” Tolanzo says.
Regarding cost, Ozempic is covered by insurance when prescribed for type 2 diabetes. Off-label use for weight loss costs approximately $900 per month out of pocket. Wegovy is usually covered by insurance, but without insurance, it costs about $1,350 per month. Tolanzo added that over-reliance on weight loss drugs is problematic because people may think that because they are taking the drug, they don’t need to make any other lifestyle changes.
“There are many emotional and behavioral factors that contribute to health and eating patterns. Not addressing these issues while taking drugs aimed at weight loss will compromise the drug’s overall effectiveness. ”Tranzo said.
Hawkness added that when people stop taking Ozempic or Wegoby, their weight loss plateaus and they often regain what they lost, which can lead to anxiety and depression.
“Weight loss is a challenge for all of us, but we need to take a holistic approach, thinking about what works for us and paying attention to why and how we eat,” says Hokenes. say.
Additionally, Trunzo says even just 5 or 10 pounds can have a big impact on your overall health, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular function.
“People aren’t well educated about the food they eat or how to move their bodies to stay healthy. If people understood these two things better, we’d be better off.” state,” Trunzo said.
Ozempic and Wegovy may be the latest drugs people are taking to lose excess weight, but they are by no means the last in this trend. On March 7, Novo Nordisk reported that it had notified investors of an early-stage trial of a weight loss drug that could be twice as effective as Wigovy. quartz.
“I think we’re going to see a huge increase in these kinds of drugs,” Trunzo said. “Generally, people want easier answers, and if there’s a way to take medicine to make things better, people tend to go along with it, and the market will respond to that.”