Ozempic: The ‘Diabetic Shot’ for Weight Loss or a Destructive TikTok Trend?
One annual event that brings together all kinds of celebrities is the Oscars. It’s always been a classic occasion for the glamorous and famous to collect awards, advertise their couture, and flatter each other.
In Oscar 2023, the host Jimmy Kimmel was found sliding in a rather unexpected joke. He opened the event with a remark that everybody looked great, wondering whether ‘Ozempic’ really was the answer he was looking for.
A burst of fragmented laughter dominated the large hall as the joke seemed to have hit close to home. Dubbed as ‘Hollywood’s worst-kept secret,’ the Ozempic obsession appears to have penetrated the minds of common folks too.
Even the social media platform TikTok had an ‘Ozempic’ hashtag, garnering wild attention for a weekly shot. What is this craze all about? In this article, we will explore whether the ballyhoo surrounding Ozempic is worth it or a disaster in the making.
The Rise of the Ozempic Era: From Type II Diabetes to Weight Loss
According to the European Medicines Agency, Ozempic is a medication administered in the form of a weekly injection to treat Type II diabetes. It is prescribed as a standalone drug if the patient shows intolerance towards other diabetes medicines. Conversely, doctors may prescribe it in combination with other drugs.
The medicine’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, filed its New Drug Application (NDA) in December 2016. Just within a year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raised a green flag for diabetic treatment among adults.
Known generically as semaglutide, Ozempic in higher doses was promoted for curbing obesity. Gradually, celebrity after celebrity glorified this drug, claiming that it was powerful enough to make “you forget to eat.” Comedian Chelsea Handler even went as far as revealing that her doctor recommends Ozempic to everybody with weight issues.
In the blink of an eye, it appeared that the TikTok world was enchanted by Hollywood’s newfound preoccupation. One after another, the TikToks featured an individual sharing their testimony of losing as much as 20% of body weight within weeks of Ozempic shots.
As per the Columbia University Department of Surgery, this drug could lead to at least 15% body mass loss on average. Such a statistic may make it too hard to resist an opportunity to try Ozempic. The Pew Research Center found that three-fourths of Americans are aware of the Ozempic effect.
A Pyrrhic Victory in the Name of Slimming Down
We just saw how Ozempic journeyed from being a diabetic shot to the panacea for weight problems. Is the drug as effective as it’s touted to be? Yes, as commoners have confirmed Hollywood’s wild claims.
However, the cynics do better than to trust every hype influencing the people. The entire thing seemed to be a classic case of ‘too good to be true.’ After all, there is always a hidden cost that no one easily factors in. Turns out, there is as Ozempic’s dark side eventually came to light.
Regular users of the drug developed an uncommon condition known as stomach paralysis or gastroparesis. John Hopkins Medicine shares the most common symptoms, including abdominal pain, anorexia, vomiting and nausea, bloating, and an early feeling of fullness.
In August 2023, the matter crept into the Eastern District of Louisiana Federal court. A 44-year-old woman filed an Ozempic lawsuit, alleging that she developed gastroparesis after a year-long use of the drug.
Did she experience the aforementioned side effects? Yes, and others also came forward reporting additional problems like hypoglycemia, gallbladder issues, thyroid tumors, and pancreatitis.
According to TruLaw, a total of 74 lawsuits form a part of the class-action multi-district litigation (MDL). Over the months, there have been shocking revelations, including Novo Nordisk’s $11 million campaign to promote Ozempic.
Plaintiffs have alleged that the company knew all about the complications but only kept diabetes and weight loss in the foreground. In a world where more than one billion people are obese and leanness is seen as the only objective measure of attractiveness, this trick had to work.
Will the Ozempic Craze Stop Anytime Soon?
Since the Ozempic litigation is in the fledgling stages, it’s hard to tell how much or how fast it will progress. However, the drug’s side effects leave no doubt that the temporary weight loss is nothing more than a pyrrhic victory.
Yes, there is a term called the ‘Ozempic plateau’ which states that the medicine stops working after some time. Given that one cannot lose weight using Ozempic forever, will the world look for a healthier and lasting solution?
This may seem like a distant dream as it is predicted that this drug will explode further. By 2035, 7% of the US population will use it for weight loss. It stands to reason that people still want to choose the effortless route. After all, true weight management is often about controlling one’s tongue and disciplining the body (with some exceptions).
The trap spread out by Novo Nordisk seems one that is challenging to get out of. If you were to stop Ozempic usage, you’d regain weight, often rapidly.
On the other hand, continuing it for extended periods increases the risk of stomach paralysis and other complications. It’s best to avoid such overhyped products and consult with a trusted dietician/nutritionist or bariatrician for a concrete and safer solution.
