What we know about the weight loss drug Ozempic
A recent study has demonstrated that weight loss injections, such as Ozempic, can lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes among obese individuals by 20%, irrespective of the amount of weight they shed.
According to the researchers, the results indicate that receiving these shots may provide advantages for one's health beyond simply decreasing undesirable body fat.
Professor John Deanfield and his team from University College London (UCL) utilized data from Novo Nordisk's Select trial, which tested the efficacy of the drug semaglutide. The study has not yet undergone peer review.
For a period of five years, a study was conducted to investigate if medications, which are known as Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus, could lower the possibility of heart attacks or stroke among people who are overweight but not suffering from diabetes.
Following a period of 20 weeks during which they were taking semaglutide, over 60% of patients had achieved a reduction in body weight exceeding 5%, in contrast to less than 10% of those taking the placebo.
Yet, there wasn't a significant difference in the decrease of the possibility of experiencing heart attacks, stroke, or heart failure between patients who lost over 5% of their total body weight and those who lost less than 5% or even put on weight.
According to Professor Deanfield, this indicates that the medicine has additional effects to decrease the risk of heart disease other than just decreasing unhealthy body weight.
Ozempic has been featured in numerous news stories before as several famous people have claimed that the medication works wonders. Yet, it's important to know the extent of its safety and our knowledge about it. Yahoo News will break it down for us.
The medication found in Ozempic injections is Semaglutide. It was initially created in 2012 and later authorized for usage in 2017 in America and 2019 in the United Kingdom.
This medication is utilized to treat type 2 diabetes and is prescribed to regulate blood sugar levels. Patients with diabetes who take this medicine have reported experiencing weight loss.
According to Diabetes UK, one reason for this is that users' appetite decreases and the speed at which food moves through the gut slows down, resulting in them feeling full for a longer period.
The drug's unintended consequence has turned into a marketing advantage, resulting in it becoming popular among social media personalities and famous people. Back in 2023, Harvard Health Medical School cautioned that the drug was in short supply in America as "many individuals who do not have diabetes are consuming it."
Elon Musk has stated that he was able to shed some weight thanks to the practice of 'fasting,' as well as through the use of a medication called 'Wegovy,' which is also known as semaglutide. (Getty Images)
As the shortage of Ozempic worsened in Britain, the government prohibited its usage for weight reduction in July 2023. Regardless, semaglutide, which works in the same way, was granted permission for weight loss, with the brand name "Wegovy".
The producers of Ozempic, a Danish pharmaceutical company called Novo Nordisk, have created this medication. Semaglutide has been authorized by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for aiding in weight loss and treating diabetes. Despite being recognized as safe, it still carries some potential hazards, just like any other medicine.
As per NICE, prevalent adverse reactions consist of loose bowel movements, exhaustion, stomach-related problems, throwing up, baldness, eye damage caused by diabetes (present in individuals with type 2 diabetes), wooziness, and head pain.
Some uncommon adverse reactions to the drug may involve angioedema, an abrupt swelling of a specific part of the body, and acute pancreatitis. The US Food and Drug Administration has reported that the medication is associated with gallbladder disease based on their data.
What We're Unaware Of
We are unsure about the consequences of Ozempic in the long run, as it has not been on the market for a sufficient length of time.
There are worries about semaglutide possibly leading to thyroid cancer, although there is not enough information available to draw a conclusive conclusion regarding this matter.
On its website, Ozempic provides a caution about the likelihood of thyroid tumours, including cancer. However, despite the warning, the company also mentions that it is unsure if Ozempic could potentially cause thyroid tumours or a specific type of thyroid cancer labeled medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in individuals.
A recent research conducted in France has stated that individuals who have taken semaglutide have a greater chance of developing thyroid cancer compared to those who have not taken it. This risk is especially high after one to three years of usage.
On the other hand, a different research conducted in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark and published in the British Medical Journal revealed that there was no notable rise in danger. As a result, the outcome is quite uncertain.
Similar to all drugs, Ozempic also has its own set of potential side effects. (Alamy)
The newest experiment that investigated minimizing the chances of heart failure has prompted the CEO of the medical organization Protas, Professor Sir Martin Landray, to discuss the possibility of using the medicine for preventive objectives. This could decrease the likelihood of not only cardiovascular incidents but also numerous other diseases for individuals who are overweight or obese. Therefore, the study has introduced inquiries regarding the drug's possible usage for preventing various health conditions.
Remember that Novo Nordisk conducted the experiment and its results have not yet been analyzed by other experts in the field.
The timeline for when the scarcity of semaglutide items - such as Ozempic - will terminate remains uncertain.
According to Diabetes UK, there are still occasional interruptions in the supply and limited availability of some GLP-1 analogues, such as Ozempic. This issue is expected to persist until 2025. However, there is adequate stock of Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) at present.
Fake Ozempic Rise As Demand Soars
On January 2024, Reuters news agency stated that there were three individuals in America who had undergone medical treatment due to critically low blood glucose levels. The suspected cause was the consumption of counterfeit Ozempic medication.
Last year, health officials from Austria and Lebanon notified that some people had experienced episodes of hypoglycemia after consuming suspected counterfeit Ozempic. A number of individuals had to be admitted to the hospital as a result.
The UK put out a warning in October 2023 about a few individuals being hospitalized after using possibly counterfeit pens, according to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Back then, Dr. Alison Cave, the top safety official of the agency mentioned that drugs acquired through this method fail to comply with our stringent quality and safety protocols. It is quite possible that taking such medicines can pose a serious threat to your health.
We are recommending that everyone refrain from using any weight loss pens they may have purchased online. Instead, it would be best to notify us so that we may conduct an investigation and implement any appropriate measures.
Dr. Cave advised all those who suspect that they have encountered any harmful effects due to the usage of a fake product, to go ahead and report it by using the MHRA's Yellow Card scheme.
Weight-loss medication has become an increasingly popular aid for individuals who are struggling to lose weight. These drugs typically work by suppressing appetite, increasing metabolism or blocking the absorption of fat in the body. One of the major benefits of weight-loss drugs is that they can help individuals achieve their weight loss goals more quickly and efficiently than through diet and exercise alone. Additionally, these medications may be particularly helpful for individuals who are clinically obese and have co-morbidities, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. However, like any medication, weight-loss drugs are not without their drawbacks. Common side effects can include nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Additionally, some weight loss drugs have been associated with more serious health concerns such as an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. It is important for individuals to consult with their healthcare provider before starting any weight-loss medication to determine if it is safe and appropriate for them. Additionally, individuals should be aware that weight-loss medication is most effective when used as part of a comprehensive weight loss plan that includes healthy eating and regular exercise.
Kelly Clarkson rebuffs accusations of Ozempic consumption but acknowledges using a weight loss drug following a three-stone weight reduction (Evening Standard).
In a blog post on The Northern Echo, Dr Amir Khan from GMB talks about how a jab for weight loss has the potential to lower the risk of heart attacks.
