Unraveling the Whirlwind Surrounding "Weight Loss Injections" What are the Drawbacks of Ozempic?
Understanding Ozempic: A Look into Its Composition and Functioning
Oprah Winfrey, Kathy Bates, and Elon Musk are among the celebrities hopping on the bandwagon of Ozempic, hailed as a "weight loss injection". However, it's crucial to weigh the pros and cons of this diabetes medication. We tackle the hype around Ozempic with two diabetologists in this brouhaha.
When to Ozempic, When to Wegovy?
In Germany, Ozempic is approved solely for diabetes treatment. For obesity weight loss, the appropriate choice is Wegovy (the same active ingredient).
Limitless Benefits?
Jochen Seufert, head of endocrinology and diabetology at the University Hospital Freiburg, underlines, "Ozempic isn't primarily a weight loss injection, but a diabetes medication with weight loss as a desired side effect." Hyperbolic reports of Ozempic's benefits have swept the market, causing a stir and toppling market giants like Weight Watchers.
Although millions have taken Ozempic and predecessors for decades, adverse effects remain uncommon. Jürgen Wagner, chief physician for internal medicine at the Stauffenburg Clinic, asserts, "These are invaluable medications, with positive effects surpassing the negative ones."
Taming the Tide
Ozempic contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which simulates hormones that foster a sense of fullness, slowing down the gut and gastric emptying while suppressing hunger. Wagner explains, "This results in eating less and subsequent weight loss."
Warning Signals
Although rare, Ozempic carries underlying issues that may surface with prolonged or inappropriate use. These include gastrointestinal problems, pancreatitis, thyroid and pancreatic cancer, "Ozempic-Face," and muscle loss or malnutrition.
The mythical "Ozempic Face" is exceptionally uncommon in medical practices, being more an outcome of misuse than actual side effect. Kathy Bates, who turned to the medication to control her progressing overweight, coupled with diet changes and exercise, stands by her decision.
Overweight people should address their weight issues, with medications like Ozempic serving as an absolute boon in the fight. The crucial aspect lies in making informed decisions, consulting medical experts, and never using them as a quick fix for aesthetic purposes.
• The use of medicines such as Ozempic and its active ingredient semaglutide, found in Wegovy, can help individuals manage their weight as part of a health-and-wellness journey, even though it is primarily designed for diabetes treatment.• Science and medicine have shown that Ozempic, with its ability to stimulate hormones that promote feelings of fullness and slow down the rate of gastric emptying, can contribute to weight loss by reducing food consumption. However, it's important to be aware of potential adverse effects and not to misuse these medications.
