Is Record-High Use Of Ozempic Worth It Despite All The Dangerous Side Effects?

Semaglutide is a medication primarily used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and, more recently, for weight loss management. It belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs mimic the action of the naturally occurring hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which plays a key role in regulating blood sugar levels and appetite. By activating GLP-1 receptors, semaglutide helps lower blood sugar levels and can lead to reduced appetite and calorie intake, aiding in weight loss.

In the context of diabetes treatment, semaglutide works by stimulating insulin production in the pancreas, thereby lowering blood sugar levels, and also by reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver. For weight management, its appetite-suppressing effects are particularly beneficial, making it an apparently effective tool for obesity treatment. Semaglutide is available under various brand names, including Ozempic and Rybelsus for diabetes treatment and Wegovy for weight loss. Ozempic and Rybelsus are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy has received FDA approval specifically for weight loss. 

Ozempic Is Gaining Popularity at a Rapid Pace 

This so-called magic weight-loss drug has become quite popular among celebrities, some of whom have been forthright about their use of it. Sharon Osbourne once said, “You can lose so much weight, and it’s easy to become addicted to that, which is very dangerous. I couldn’t stop losing weight, and now I’ve lost 42lb and I can’t afford to lose any more.” At one point, she was under 100 pounds and actually struggled to put on some weight for the sake of her health. “Be careful what you wish for,” she said. 

Comedian Amy Schumer said she took it for a short amount of time but just couldn’t handle the nausea. “I was one of those people that felt so sick and couldn’t play with my son. I was so skinny, and he’s throwing a ball at me and [I couldn’t],” she recalled. 

Since 2019, the number of patients receiving a prescription for semaglutide has increased by more than 930%.

Many other celebrities have been speculated to have used Ozempic, such as Kim and Khloe Kardashian and Mindy Kaling, but whether or not they actually have used the medication, any brand name including semaglutide is growing rapidly in popularity. Since 2019, the number of patients receiving a prescription for semaglutide has increased by more than 930%, according to data from Epic Research. It’s very rare to see this kind of increase for a diabetes drug, so it’s safe to say that the majority of these new patients on semaglutide are using it for weight loss. In the last three months of 2022 alone, there were 9 million semaglutide prescriptions administered. This information is based on a report from Trilliant Health, but experts believe this is an undercount because this figure is based on insurance claims. And there are plenty of people who are paying for semaglutide out of pocket. There is likely a high number of individuals who are getting their hands on semaglutide and using it without even consulting a healthcare professional or getting a prescription. A peer-reviewed study in 2021 revealed that semaglutide ranked fourth in national drug spending, marking the fastest increase among the top 25 drugs. Both Wegovy and Ozempic are produced by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.

In a world where quick fixes and overnight solutions are valued above hard work and perseverance, the likes of Ozempic are the perfect way to solve the obesity crisis in a country like the U.S. At least, that’s what we’re being told by the healthcare system. However, it seems as though there are many questions coming up about the safety of Ozempic and its long-term efficacy. 

Ozempic Is Causing More Damage Than Ever Before

The more people who use semaglutide, the more calls poison control centers receive in the U.S. Between January and November 2023, nearly 3,000 calls related to semaglutide were reported to U.S. poison control centers, a 15-fold increase from 2019. These numbers come from America's Poison Centers, representing 55 poison centers nationwide.

The increased calls to poison control centers are directly correlated to the growing usage of semaglutide. Dr. Joseph Lambson, director of the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center, claimed that these calls often relate to side effects, dosing errors, or general inquiries about the medication. Dosing errors are particularly common with compounded versions of semaglutide, which are dispensed in vials requiring patients to measure doses themselves, as opposed to the manufactured product that comes in pre-filled pens. The high cost of these medications, often over $1,000 per month without insurance, has led some individuals to seek compounded versions of semaglutide from compounding pharmacies, which are less expensive. However, there are risks with compounded versions, as the process can alter the compounds, and the source of the ingredients is often unclear.

In June 2023, the FDA issued a warning about the safety of off-brand forms of Ozempic and Wegovy. This was followed by Novo Nordisk taking legal action against medical spas, clinics, and compounding pharmacies for marketing and selling counterfeit and compounded semaglutide products. These actions involved allegations of false advertising, trademark infringement, and unlawful sales of non-FDA-approved products.

Even when taken at correct dosages, the side effects of semaglutide-containing drugs can be severe.

Medical experts, including Dr. Stephanie Widmer, a medical toxicologist, have expressed concerns about the adverse effects of incorrect dosages of semaglutide, which can include nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal symptoms, and abdominal pain. Even when taken at correct dosages, the side effects of semaglutide-containing drugs can be severe, including nausea and constipation. Novo Nordisk has emphasized its commitment to monitoring the safety of its FDA-approved semaglutide products, stating that these should only be prescribed and taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider. The company has also clarified that it does not supply bulk semaglutide for compounding purposes and cannot validate the safety or effectiveness of compounded products that claim to contain semaglutide but are not Novo Nordisk-branded.

Studies have also shown that there are risks associated with kidney health when semaglutide is used, particularly for patients who have preexisting kidney issues. More and more people are coming forward online to speak of their experiences (or their loved ones’ experiences) with the medication. “My husband took it for a few months and then got appendicitis, and now we have $8,000 in hospital debt (this is with insurance). Everyone conveniently forgets to mention that pancreatitis and appendicitis are very expensive side effects that are happening,” one woman told me on Instagram. 

“My dear friend was in ICU because of it – adrenal crisis,” another woman told me. 

Another person told me he tried semaglutide twice, and while it did kill his appetite to help him lose weight, it also destroyed his gastric function. He suffered from indigestion and nausea 24 hours a day. 

Is it worth it in the end? Some people may tell you yes, but more and more information is coming forward to suggest that we might want to think twice before surrendering ourselves to such a precarious pharmaceutical, especially when weight loss can be achieved through natural measures that will result in sustainable health, rather than acutely painful side effects.

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