IS OZEMPIC SAFE FOR WEIGHT LOSS? YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

You’ve probably heard a lot about Ozemplic lately as it’s rapidly emerged as a household name in the world of weight loss. Originally designed to manage type 2 diabetes, this medication has captured a lot of attention because of how effective it is at helping people slim down. But is it safe? What are the side effects? And what happens when you stop taking Ozempic?

While many users are experiencing impressive results, several others describe Ozempic as being life changing . . . in a vastly different way. 

News headlines are reporting that Ozempic is causing stomach paralysis. Celebrities like Sharon Osbourne have said they regret losing such a drastic amount of weight and are having trouble getting healthy again. Meanwhile, there are still plenty of people on social media currently singing Ozempic’s praises for how great it makes them look.

So how do you know if this trendy drug is your ticket to losing those stubborn 10, 20, or 30+ pounds? There are a lot of cons to taking this medication, some surprising pros, and several questions you’ll want to ask yourself before deciding.

What is Ozempic?

It's a prescription injectable drug that works along with diet and exercise to improve glucose control. The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide.

Ozempic has become a shorthand umbrella term for an entire class of medications called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Technically, it isn't accurate to call all GLP-1 receptor agonists “Ozempic” because there are several individual drugs with their own brand names (like Weygovy and Mounjaro). However, due to the significant attention it’s gained on social media and some clever marketing including a catchy jingle that’s nearly impossible to get out of your head, Ozempic is the name that seems to be gaining the most widespread recognition even when referring to other GLP-1 receptor agonists.

So while some people might refer to all GLP-1 receptor agonists as Ozempic, please keep in mind that each drug may have their own dosages and potential side effects.

What does Ozempic do? And why are so many people taking it now to lose weight?

While weight loss was not the original purpose of Ozempic, it has undeniably become a defining feature of this medication. And while some people have been taking GLP-1 receptor agonists for their weight loss benefits for years, it wasn’t until 2021 that the FDA officially approved Wegovy for weight management. Suddenly doctors were prescribing it to their overweight patients as a way to mitigate the variety of health conditions related to obesity.

The demand for Wegovy quickly became so great that it became extremely hard to find. That’s when people started turning to Ozempic, as the two medications contain the same compound. Wegovy is just a higher concentration. 

Once so many people were trying to get their hands on Wegovy, Ozempic became the back up plan. So essentially, most of the Ozempic buzz is simply the result of too much demand and not enough supply. But the GLP-1 receptor agonists do help many people lose weight . . . whether or not that’s what they’re prescribed for.

Are Ozempic and Wegovy both FDA approved for weight loss?

Unlike Wegovy, Ozempic is not FDA approved for weight loss. But this doesn’t mean doctors can’t prescribe it for this purpose. When someone who doesn’t have type 2 diabetes wants to take Ozempic for its weight loss benefits, some doctors will prescribe it “off label,” meaning that the medication is being prescribed for a purpose outside the scope of the drug’s official approved label.

Off-label prescribing is legal and common in many areas of medicine. However, the effectiveness and safety of the drug for these non-approved uses may not be as well-studied. And it’s important to note that if a medication is prescribed off label, it likely won’t be covered by insurance and the patient will typically have to pay out-of-pocket. The cost can vary depending on the exact drug name and pharmacy used, but the price for an Ozempic prescription for off-label use is usually around $1,000 a month.

How do GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic help you lose weight? 

GLP-1 receptor agonists can help with weight loss by mimicking GLP-1, which is a hormone in the body that helps regulate appetite and food intake. When we eat, our intestines release GLP-1, which signals to our brain that we're full. For most people, taking GLP-1 receptor agonists reduces hunger and increases feelings of fullness, thereby reducing the overall number of calories consumed.

In addition to these effects on appetite and food intake, GLP-1 receptor agonists also have beneficial effects on glucose metabolism. They stimulate the release of insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels, and inhibit the release of glucagon, a hormone that increases blood sugar levels.

These medications also slow down gastric emptying, which is the process by which food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine. 

As a result of these combined effects, GLP-1 receptor agonists can often lead to weight loss. Clinical trials have shown that they are more effective in treating or preventing obesity than placebo. But while it’s common for weight loss to occur with these drugs, there are several side effects to consider before jumping on the Ozempic bandwagon.

“Ozempic Face” and other side effects of taking GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss?

It may seem like GLP-1 receptor agonists are a surefire way to drop a few pounds, but not everyone who takes these drugs even loses weight. Plus, they come with a pretty long list of side effects that might not make the risk worth it.

“Ozempic Face” and Hair Loss

"Ozempic Face”  is a term used to describe the facial changes that some patients experience after losing a significant amount of weight with the help of medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro. These changes primarily include a reduction in facial fat, which can result in sagging skin and wrinkles. So if you’re thinking of taking a GLP-1 receptor agonist for vanity reasons, this is definitely something you would want to consider.

While “Ozempic Face” isn’t an official diagnosis, but simply a term a doctor coined in a New York Times article, experts generally agree that having a more gaunt, skinny face caused by rapid weight loss can make people look older than they actually are.

In addition to potentially making your face appear older, some people may also experience permanent hair loss.

Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, and Constipation

According to the Ozempic website, the most common side effects when taking Ozempic are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. In addition to these, other side effects can include abdominal pain, changes in the way things taste, burping, dizziness, and headache. 

It’s extremely common for someone to lose their appetite altogether while on a GLP-1 receptor agonist. While this does tend to lend itself to rapid weight loss, it can also cause people to become malnourished and prone to illness. The short term benefits can come at a very high cost.

Stomach Paralysis

Stomach paralysis, also known as gastroparesis, is a condition in which the muscles in the stomach do not function as they should. Normally, strong muscular contractions propel food through your digestive tract. But if you have gastroparesis, your stomach's motility is slowed down or doesn't work at all, preventing your stomach from emptying properly.

There have been several reports of people developing stomach paralysis while using GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic. The exact mechanism by which these drugs might cause gastroparesis is not entirely clear, but it's believed that they may affect the nervous system control of the stomach muscles.

Irreversible Birth Defects

One of the most serious consequences of taking a GLP-1 receptor agonist like Ozempic is that it can cause irreversible birth defects. According to the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Ozempic (semaglutide) is classified as a category D medication. This category includes drugs which have caused, are suspected to have caused, or may be expected to cause, an increased incidence of human fetal malformations or irreversible damage.

The FDA used to classify drugs into categories A, B, C, D, and X based on their potential risks during pregnancy. However, this system is being phased out in favor of a more detailed explanation of a drug's potential risks.

Ultimately, if it can cause such serious fetal malformations, that means it can deeply affect cell production. So wouldn’t it be worth wondering what it could do to you?

Thyroid Tumors and Cancer

According to Ozempic’s website, taking the medication may cause possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. If you experience swelling in your neck, a lump, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath, see your doctor as these may be signs of thyroid cancer.

In studies with rodents, Ozempic and medicines that work like Ozempic caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not yet known if Ozempic will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people. 

Muscle Loss

Drugs like Ozempic can cause equal muscle-to-fat loss, meaning that even if you see the number on the scale drop, your fat-to-muscle ratio will likely get higher. A clinical trial of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, showed a significant loss of lean muscle mass in a subgroup of patients. In an 18-month trial, patients receiving Ozempic lost about eight kilograms (17.637 pounds) of fat and about five kilograms (11.0231 pounds) of muscle.

No matter how badly you want to lose weight, losing muscle mass is never the way to do it. A decrease in muscle mass can lead to a condition known as sarcopenia when you’re older, where you lose strength and endurance. This might not seem like a big deal now, but as you age, these weak muscles will likely lead to balance problems, increasing the risk of falls and fractures.

If a future where it will be difficult (or even impossible) to climb stairs or carry groceries feels too far in the distance to hit close to home, decreased muscle mass is also linked to a slower metabolism. Muscles burn more calories than fat, even at rest. Therefore, losing muscle mass can slow your metabolism, which in turn can promote weight gain and make it harder to lose weight. And doesn’t that defeat the purpose of all of this?

Are there any natural alternatives to Ozempic? What about Berberine?

There are a lot of natural herbs being called “nature’s Ozempic,” but ultimately—it’s important to note that you won’t experience the rapid weight loss that comes with pharmaceuticals like GLP-1 receptor antagonists.

Berberine

One natural alternative for Ozempic that’s been gaining a lot of attention is berberine. Berberine is a compound found in several plants and is available as a dietary supplement. It's been dubbed as "nature's Ozempic" by some, due to its potential effects on blood sugar and weight loss. 

Gymnema

Another option worth considering is Gymnena sylvestre. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries due to its health benefits, particularly its ability to help manage blood sugar levels. 

The key compound in Gymnema sylvestre responsible for these effects is known as gymnemic acid. When applied to the tongue, gymnemic acid blocks the sensation of sweetness. This occurs because gymnemic acids bind to the taste receptors on your tongue that perceive sweetness, making sweet things taste a lot less sweet.This can potentially reduce sugar intake and cravings, which may contribute to weight loss. 

Caralluma

Caralluma fimbriata is a plant that is often used as an appetite suppressant and weight loss supplement. It's believed to work by blocking the activity of several enzymes, which in turn blocks the formation of fat, forcing fat reserves to be burned.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials have looked into the use of Caralluma fimbriata for weight loss. Some studies observed a reduction in waist circumference among participants who supplemented with Caralluma fimbriata extract. Another study indicated that Caralluma Fimbriata extract dosed at one gram daily for 16 weeks can reduce central body fat distribution.

Sodium Butyrate

Sodium butyrate is a substance that can stimulate the production of GLP-1, which is secreted from intestinal L cells in response to food intake and stimulates insulin secretion from the pancreas. It also slows gastric emptying and reduces appetite, which can lead to reduced food intake and potential weight loss.

In addition to its effects on GLP-1 and insulin, sodium butyrate has other properties that may help with weight management. For example, it has been found to increase the secretion of some gastrointestinal anorexic hormones, which can reduce appetite and food intake.

Are the risks of taking Ozempic worth the results?

There are no quick fixes in life, and it appears that taking Ozempic is no exception. Even when patients experience rapid weight loss, it happens without addressing the actual root causes of obesity. If your diet is full of processed foods, you live a sedentary lifestyle, you’re chronically under stress, your hormones are imbalanced, your gut microbiome is unhealthy, your environment is full of toxins, or you have abnormal methylation patterns that disrupt the functioning of your genes . . . you might lose weight, but this pill won’t actually make you healthy.

Another thing to consider is that these medications are intended to be used as part of a long-term plan. You may have already guessed this, but that means the cost of getting skinny and staying skinny will come with a hefty price tag of about $1000 a month. And when you stop taking Ozempic, most people regain the weight just as quickly as they lost it.

Obviously there are a lot of cons for there only being the one main pro of weight loss. There are, however, some Ozempic advocates like Dr. Tyna Moore who has done quite a bit of research on the topic and believes that a lot of these negative side effects are because the doses prescribed are far too potent. So while there are plenty of reasons to not use Ozempic, if you still feel called to try it, there are those who seem to be finding ways to do it smartly.

Ultimately, there are no long term studies for using GLP-1 receptor antagonists for weight loss, and it feels like quite a big gamble to take in order to drop a few pant sizes. However, being overweight comes with its own list of negative health consequences, so ultimately this is a decision only you can make for yourself.