Millions of people have discovered the drug “Ozempic” and its massive impact on weight loss, but what have experts been saying about its reliability?
Ozempic, a weekly injection to manage glucose levels in diabetic adults, has taken the population by storm in recent months after being discovered as a revolutionary way to rapidly lose weight without extreme dieting or exercise. Ozempic is a drug initially meant to be used by those with type 2 diabetes and works in helping the body produce more insulin when necessary. However, many have found that side effects of the drug have strong benefits for weight loss.
How Does it Work?
Ozempic is sold as an injection drug to manage blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetic patients. It lowers hemoglobin and, as a side effect, works for temporary weight loss. The main ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, an injection with active weight loss agents. It is meant to help the pancreas to release the proper amount of insulin when needed. It also affects the hunger centers in the brain and slows the rate of the stomach, ultimately promoting fullness.
Is it a Reliable Method for Weight Loss?
On its own and with a prescription, semaglutide is FDA-approved for weight loss. Under the separate treatment, Wegovy, which is a weight loss drug, semaglutide is considered safe for weight loss. Ozempic, on the other hand, is not approved for weight loss. With Ozempic’s main purpose being for treating type 2 diabetes, it is only FDA-approved for this specific purpose– not weight loss. Additionally, Ozempic has a lower dosage of semaglutide than Wegovy does.
While it works for weight loss, it isn’t the most reliable or sustainable method to use if you are seeking long-lasting results. Ozempic is only a temporary solution for losing weight compared to natural weight loss methods. Once Ozempic is taken regularly, the body starts to become reliant on it. If the injections are suddenly stopped or discontinued, the body will start to gain weight.
Not only this, but Ozempic injections are very costly. Ozempic can cost anywhere from $800 to over $900 each month, specifically depending on where you purchase it. Without insurance and with a prescription from a doctor, Ozempic costs around $950, but most times in which Ozempic is used solely for weight loss, insurance doesn’t cover it. Ozempic can usually only be covered by insurance when it is used as a prescription drug, or for its FDA-approved purpose. If not used for the condition it’s prescribed for, chances are that health insurance will not cover it.
Why is it Suddenly so Popular?
It’s no surprise that adults across social media have taken to the internet to spread the word about Ozempic and its promisingly rapid weight loss results. Side-by-side comparisons are often posted on Facebook and other apps by Ozempic users, which as a result, provides a false front about the reliability of Ozempic.
When a vast majority of people rave about how effective it can be in such a short amount of time, it doesn’t take long until others are prompted to use the drug, too.
The outwardly effective results people are reaching from using Ozempic can also be persuasive. Semaglutide is a very effective drug for weight loss, and for this reason, Ozempic has profound effects on the body, but only for a short period. When the people you are surrounded by are shedding pounds quickly, it can easily be difficult to comprehend the reality of the drug and how it works.
Several celebrities and well-known figures have used the drug for weight loss as well, including Amy Schumer, Andy Cohen, Oprah Winfrey, and more.
In a recent interview, Sharon Osbourne spoke out about her experience using the drug and voiced her personal concern with its results. Ozbourne warned people to be careful when using the medication, claiming that she lost 42 pounds and felt uncomfortable with suddenly being that small.
Another commonly reported drawback to using the medication is “Ozempic face”. Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, a dermatologist, claims that “Ozempic face” is a common side effect of the rapid weight loss experienced while using the medication. After using Ozempic, a person’s face can “sag” and appear to be very thin and droopy with loose skin.
“When you meet someone that you saw not too long ago and they’ve [suddenly] lost a lot of weight, particularly in that area, it’s kind of like a telltale sign.”
scmo.com