Ozempic, a type II Diabetes drug, has been going viral on social media for months now as many users online are using the medication for weight loss.
On TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), influencers are encouraging their followers to use the prescription drug to lose weight instantly despite not being knowledgeable on the medicine.
This article will discuss how the trend went viral and the very real consequences of using Ozempic without precautions.
Also Read : Losing Weight Also Depends On The Environment
What is Ozempic: Purpose and Recommended Intake
Ozempic, or semaglutide, is an injection-type drug taken once a week to regulate blood sugar levels.
Despite being solely licensed solely for diabetes medication, clinical trials sponsored by Novo Nordisk, the drug's manufacturer, claimed that Ozempic can induce weight loss.
This is due to its properties to affect hunger urges and slow the rate of stomach emptying, a side effect of a hormone used to increase insulin release and reduce blood sugar.
It is worth noting that another semaglutide drug under the name of Wegovy is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for long-term weight management.
Both Wegovy and Ozempic is developed by Novo Nordisk.
Ozempic Myths are Becoming Viral
The trend of Ozempic started becoming more viral on the internet amid high demand and distribution strains have limited the supply of easily available Wegovy.
Despite having a lower dose of semaglutide, people started turning towards Ozempic as an alternative weight-loss drug.
It did not help that several personalities online have endorsed the drug as effective for losing weight.
In some cases, the drug is even touted to help lower the risk of suicidal thoughts. A recent FDA study has shown the two has no direct link.
Scientists and experts have expressed concerns about these trends as the drug could affect people's health, primarily the production of insulin to their bodies.
Speaking to New York Times, University of North Carolina School of Medicine's Dr. Janice Jin Hwang noted that Ozempic is "not designed for normal-weight people who want to get down to be super thin."
'Budget' Ozempic Alternatives Pose Health Risks
The trend does not end there.
Since Ozempic can be expensive for many people, "budget" alternatives are now circulating on the internet. Many of these are suggesting high intakes of laxatives and stool softeners for weight loss.
While these drugs can indeed induce weight loss, body fat is not the only thing people will lose if they intake high dosages.
The FDA has already warned the public to avoid "budget" Ozempics and low-priced imitations as these drugs can be dangerous for the health when misused.
TikTok has also started removing testimonial videos promoting the drug as a fast method of losing weight.
