Elon Musk's 2022 revelation of how he lost around 13 kilos with the help of a fasting and a diabetes drug called Wegovy took the world by storm. Ever since then, many celebrities have owned up to using similar drugs, including Ozempic.
Now, in an unfortunate event, Trish Webster, a 56-year-old Australian woman who used Ozempic to lose weight for her daughter’s wedding, has died due to gastrointestinal issues resulting from the drug usage. As per a New York Post report, her husband is now warning others against the medication, saying it is "not worth it at all”.
Ozempic is a drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people with type 2 diabetes. However, in many parts of the world, it has become widely used as a weight-loss drug.
Local news media reported that Webster took Ozempic along with the prescription injection Saxenda, losing about 15 kg in five months. Although initially the medication helped her lose weight, over time it led to various side effects.
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What Is Ozempic?
Ozempic, also known as semaglutide, is a weekly injection that was approved by the FDA in 2017 for use in adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists that increase the levels of incretins, a hormone that stimulates the release of insulin, lowering blood sugar levels, and promoting weight loss.
According to the official Ozempic website, the drug is used:
- along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes.
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease.
The website further shares that Ozempic is not for use by people with type 1 diabetes.
Weight Loss But At What Cost?
It is likely for people with type 2 diabetes to lose weight with Ozempic. This is because the semaglutide in the drug mimics a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1, which helps reduce appetite, increases satiety, and keeps you fuller for a longer period of time.
Healthline explains, "It slows down how quickly your stomach empties after eating. This slows your digestion process and can help you feel fuller for longer."
However, the drug is not approved by the FDA for weight management.
Dr Muralidhar S. Kathalagiri, Consultant Laparoscopic Surgeon, Bariatric Surgeon, General and Gastrointestinal Surgeon, SPARSH Hospital, Bengaluru, said, “Worldwide, there is not enough evidence to support its [Ozempic] usage for weight loss. Eventually, there may be more studies that will help us draw proper conclusions around its use for obesity, but at this point, I think we should exercise caution.”
He added, “Anecdotal complication reports or articles should not be the basis for us to draw conclusions regarding the medicines. We have to wait for proper judgements before we are clear.”
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Side Effects To Note
According to Dr Kathalagiri, Ozempic should not be taken as an Over-The-Counter (OTC) medication, as the medication comes with certain side effects. “Any such drug usage has to happen in consensus with your physician or diabetologist,” he advised.
Some of the common side effects reported by people who took Ozempic in clinical trials include:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Upset stomach
- Constipation
- Flatulence (passing gas)
More serious side effects of Ozempic, as per their official website, include:
- Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Changes in vision
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Kidney problems (kidney failure)
- Serious allergic reactions
- Gallbladder problems
Ozempic Usage In India
Dr Kathalagari said, “Currently, in India, there isn't an official authorisation for using this particular medication [Ozempic] for weight loss. We'll need to await approval from the Indian drug authorities, specifically the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), to consider its usage for obesity in non-diabetic patients. Until then, any use of this drug must be in agreement with your diabetes specialist for type 2 diabetes.”
“Globally, there's insufficient substantial research supporting its use for weight loss. In the future, as more studies emerge, we can make more informed decisions about its potential for treating obesity. For now, its application for diabetes should be under the guidance of an experienced diabetologist,” he concluded.
