The diabetes medication being used to lose weight

Ozempic is indicated for type 2 diabetes, but it ended up being used for cosmetic purposes to lose weight and even Elon Musk recommends it

One of the biggest challenges in treating a person with diabetes is keeping glucose at normal levels. The most common recommendation that is usually given to these patients is that they make adjustments to their lifestyle, which consist of adopting a strict diet and exercising regularly.

Sometimes, changing the lifestyle is not enough and it is necessary to accompany it with medication. Particularly for patients with type 2 diabetes, one of the flagship drug classes is glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues, most notably semaglutide or better known by its trade name, Ozempic.

This drug from the Danish laboratory Novonordisk is approved by both the FDA and the EMA -regulatory agencies in the United States and Europe, respectively- for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. Some of its effects are the reduction of sugar levels in the blood and the risk of cardiovascular accidents.

In addition, it has been discovered that after the Ozempic vial is administered, it generates a feeling of satiety, which has allowed it to gain the indication to treat obesity. However, statements by celebrities such as Elon Musk and TikTok influencers assuring that it is an elixir to lose weight have led people without diabetes and obesity to start using it for mere aesthetic purposes.

Fasting + Ozempic/Wegovy + no tasty food near me

— Mr. Tweet (@elonmusk) November 16, 2022

Despite the fact that it is a medicine whose sale requires a prescription, many have found a way to get it to use it indiscriminately in order to lose those extra pounds. This has triggered a shortage in several countries that has left patients who do need it seeing a spark.

It must be taken into account that semaglutide, like any medicine, can cause a series of adverse events, some of which are considered serious such as vision changes, inflammation of the pancreas or kidney problems. Therefore, healthy people who are joining this trend are also exposing themselves to totally unnecessary risks. Despite this, its consumption is skyrocketing in the world and the laboratory is no longer able to cope.

Colombia is not the exception. Since it became fashionable for weight reduction, high demand and limited production in the Danish laboratory have caused distributors to increase the price, which has meant that, in addition to being in short supply, the value of the vials exceeds the $700 thousand monthly. And people are paying for it as if Ozempic has become the solution to being overweight.

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