But for every patient who seeks out my weight-neutral approach, I have ten who have been sold the lie that losing weight will fix every problem in their life. Medically, I told her, I didn't think she needed to lose weight. "I'm not sure Ozempic will bring you peace with your body," I suggested, gently. She had a long history of losing and regaining weight, and years of family members pressuring her to be skinnier. My patient's blood pressure was normal, her labs looked perfect. Seventy-five percent of the U.S. population is overweight or obese. “What I find is sometimes as they're becoming successful at losing weight, it really does feed into their lifestyle too, and then they're able to be more active,” Kim says. Robert Gabbay, the American Diabetes Association’s chief scientific and medical officer, said the organization is “very much concerned” about the Ozempic shortage. The same could be said for Wegovy, which comes in a pack of four one-dose pens. Several doctors interviewed by TODAY.com believe semaglutide needs to be taken for years, decades or possibly life. Data from clinical trials don't suggest a causal relationship between the drug and NAION, it added. "If this risk was carried over millions of users, those affected could end up being a sizable group of patients," VanderBeek noted. However, patients who may be at higher risk for wet age-related macular degeneration, such as older adults, should be aware of the possibility of new visual symptoms.” This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who may struggle with nutrient deficiencies while trying to lose weight. This delay in digestion helps reduce snacking and overeating, supporting a calorie deficit necessary for losing weight. This hormone plays a role in regulating blood sugar levels and appetite. GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your body produces naturally after eating. Nearly 12 Percent of Americans Have Used GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs; Medications Are Most Used by Women Aged 50 to 64 It remains to be seen what share of the costs of weight-loss drugs will be borne by patients or payers. Peer nations have similarly variable insurance coverage for these drugs for weight loss. In the U.S., private insurers and employers are figuring out whether and how to cover these weight-loss drugs—coverage and cost-sharing will likely vary by health plan. KFF polling found about half of adults in the U.S. would be interested in taking prescription weight-loss drugs, though interest drops if the drug is not covered by insurance or after hearing patients might gain weight back after stopping use. What impact these drugs have on total health costs in a country will depend not just on the net prices for the drugs, but also on how many people use them. You know, they're concerned especially about these drugs increasing fat discrimination and stigma in society because now you can say, well, why don't you just take Wegovy, right? But is the popularity of drugs like Ozempic possibly eclipsing that movement? We can't have them taken away from us because of this recurring weight loss frenzy. And in the meantime, that is resulting in a situation where you have a lot of people competing for a limited amount of drug. Both medications are administered once weekly via injection, making them convenient options. Studies suggest that Mounjaro may lead to greater weight loss compared to Ozempic. For instance, studies have shown that participants on Ozempic lost an average of 15% of their body weight, while those on Mounjaro experienced even greater reductions. This hormonal effect, combined with improved insulin sensitivity, supports gradual and sustained weight loss. Both drugs influence hormones that regulate appetite and digestion. After taking Ozempic® for three months In a study of 175 people with a mean BMI of 41.3, the average weight loss in people who didn't have type 2 diabetes was 6.3% body weight after taking semaglutide for 12 weeks. Both were developed to help manage type 2 diabetes but have shown significant effects on weight loss, making them popular options for people struggling with obesity or overweight conditions. Doctors say the drug’s effects on the body can make people with obesity healthier. And make sure you talk to your GP or your diabetes team if you struggle to take Ozempic. This is to ensure Ozempic is the right medication for you and that it is safe. It is important that your prescriber completes the same assessment that an NHS healthcare team would carry out. Adults over the age of 18 years with type 2 diabetes can take Ozempic. Although Ozempic is given via injection, it is a different medication to insulin. The high price of the weight-loss medicines — usually over $1,000 per month for each patient — is especially troubling in a nation that already far outspends the rest of the world in health care costs and faces major disparities in care. For primary care doctors like me, who have counseled thousands of patients — often unsuccessfully — about their weight, this news is welcome. Those taking the medicines lose, on average, 10% to 20% of their body weight. The headlines are compelling, with phrases like, "The Obesity Revolution," and "A new 'miracle' weight-loss drug really works." The before-and-after pictures are inspiring. Can’t Fill Your Mounjaro Prescription? Consider These 9 Mounjaro Alternatives Its peptides break down too quickly in stomach acid, ruling out oral doses of the medication. Policymakers should adopt a balanced approach that integrates AOMs as one component of a comprehensive obesity treatment and prevention strategy. Without addressing these factors, the obesity epidemic is unlikely to be fully resolved, as individuals will continue to be exposed to environments that promote unhealthy behaviors. Serious worsening of diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina, the light sensitive membrane at the back of the eye) is common (it may affect up to 1 in 10 people). When looking at the three ‘events’ separately, fewer patients taking Ozempic had a heart attack or stroke, but rates of death from heart problems were similar in the two groups. The active substance in Ozempic, semaglutide, is a ‘GLP-1 receptor agonist’. If needed, the dose can be further increased up to a maximum of 1 mg once a week. In some studies, it affects up to half of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Ozempic and Mounjaro are approved for diabetes, which is the most common known cause of gastroparesis (stomach paralysis), according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. However, Al-Aly says when people — and particularly older adults — lose weight, “they don't only lose fat; they actually lose muscle mass and bone mass,” which could help explain the association. Rybelsus vs. Wegovy: 6 Differences You Should Know About It just wasn't on people's radars. And what we've heard from the drug companies is, you know, demand is a moving target. It's not - you know, you're not guaranteed to get the drug that was studied by Novo Nordisk, you might get some different version used with - you know, made with different ingredients. So it's not something where you can say, I'm taking this drug and it's got the FDA seal of approval - they've inspected the factory, they've looked at the safety record, things like that. And I think the - you know, these companies would say, you know, this is a highly effective new option that we're offering to our members, our patients. Keep in mind that compounded semaglutide is different from Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. While they may still be available in limited circumstances, it’s good to understand the potential risks. As a result, compounded semaglutide injections are largely being phased out. Yes, it’s possible to gain weight after stopping Ozempic. And if you stop Ozempic, it’s possible to regain weight that you’ve lost. But a healthcare professional may prescribe it off-label if you need help managing your weight. If that approval is given, it shouldn't be too long before the drug is made available. There are also more severe side effects for some, and the impacts of long-term use are not yet fully understood. In that trial, however, the daily dose was 50 mg, with benefits only slightly better than those seen here. In the semaglutide group, these were experienced by 74 percent of participants, compared with 42.2 percent in the placebo group. “I follow a couple of patients taking these; one feels the weight loss has contributed significantly to improved mobility. Physicians familiar with FSHD who were contacted for this story haven’t yet seen many patients taking one of these drugs. It noted that a review of research indicates these drugs may improve body composition and possibly offer some protection against muscle wasting. While we may not understand how these drugs affect people with FSHD, some research has been done on GLP-1 agonists and age-related muscle loss. The best choice depends on your health profile and side-effect tolerance. Serious side effects are rare but can include pancreatitis and allergic reactions. It is important to consult a healthcare provider to determine if they are safe and suitable for you. Combining it with healthy habits and professional support maximizes your chances of long-term success. These drugs have been whispered about in elite circles for about a year now, with celebs seemingly “suddenly showing up 25 pounds lighter,” as Andy Cohen pointed out in a tweet in September. That means a doctor prescribes you a drug that has been FDA-approved to treat a different condition than the one you’re using it for. So, Danielle started doing her own research, diving into Reddit threads about other people’s experience using the new drug. In speeches and on social media, he’s said the U.S. should not cover the drugs through Medicaid or Medicare. People taking the drug are less likely to need dialysis, lose kidney function, or die from kidney-related issues, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone produced in the small intestine that regulates blood sugar and appetite. I think our understanding of the real clinical effects of the GLP-1 receptor agonist is yet to come. It took the industry about 20 years after lap band surgeries were developed before we got enough critical mass of data to see the long-term effects. For example, my husband has a heart condition and was prescribed Ozempic to help deal with it because it has really great cardio-protective effects. When I gave myself my first injection, I was optimistic it would help me feel healthier. I had doled out the same recommendations to my own patients a million times, without much success. Also like most women, I thought I had to lose it all to "get healthy" again. Like most women, I had gained weight in pregnancy. In the summer of 2022, I decided to try taking Ozempic to lose weight. Comparing Effectiveness: Ozempic vs Mounjaro Speaking to Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey on their NZ Herald podcast, The Little Things, he said many of these medications belong to a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. So as people add losing weight to their list of New Year's resolutions, they might be considering trying one of these drugs known as GLP-1s. 2025 was another big year for blockbuster weight loss drugs, and their momentum does not seem to be slowing anytime soon. They are widely considered as one of the great medical developments of the last few years, generating colossal revenues for drugmakers such as Novo Nordisk (Ozempic/Wegovy) and Eli Lilly (Mounjaro). It says there are no approved generic versions of these drug. Experts still recommend that people avoid using Ozempic unless they have type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide treatments can also be used as an alternative to bariatric surgery for some patients who are obese. Celebrities Who Have Spoken Out About Taking GLP-1s Can I use Ozempic for weight loss alone? Stick with the dose for a few weeks; nausea often subsides as your body adjusts. If it’s within 5 days of your missed dose, take it. While Ozempic and Mounjaro can significantly aid weight loss, they are not magic solutions.In the semaglutide group, these were experienced by 74 percent of participants, compared with 42.2 percent in the placebo group.The AP-NORC poll showed that about 6 in 10 Americans believe it is a “very” or “somewhat” bad thing for adults to take GLP-1s for weight loss if they’re not obese, and that increases to about 7 in 10 for teens in the same situation.Both drugs are essentially the same — semaglutide injections — but they vary in dosage, with Wegovy having a slightly higher maximum dosage.While they may still be available in limited circumstances, it’s good to understand the potential risks.Once you treat the disease, the patient should stay on the treatment that works long term.In fact, around 1.6 million UK adults were estimated to have used weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro between early 2024 and early 2025.Drug companies should protect people’s health, not endanger it with careless or harmful products. Ozempic uses semaglutide and Mounjaro uses tirzepatide. The company says weight is a particularly important issue among felines as over 50% of domestic household cats are overweight or clinically obese. 'I think I’ll get a personal trainer and lose weight in a slower, but more pleasant, way,' she tells me. It is not a magic solution, but it can be an effective part of a comprehensive plan when combined with healthy eating and exercise. Using telehealth services such as Doctronic.ai can make this process more convenient and accessible. Stay in touch with your healthcare provider to track progress and address any concerns. Importantly, Novo Nordisk’s latest clinical trial success was based on the maximum daily dose of 25 mg, McCoy says. The starting dose of 1.5 mg is anticipated to cost $149 per month out of pocket but could be lower, depending on a person’s insurance. The pill will be available in U.S. pharmacies and select telehealth providers in early January, a Novo Nordisk spokesperson told Scientific American. Chao says many insurance companies cover Ozempic for diabetes but don't cover Wegovy for obesity—a prime example of weight bias in health care. The difference between the two drugs is that Wegovy is administered at a higher dose of semaglutide than Ozempic. A lot of people who experience the common side effects tend to feel better as they continue on the medications, not worse. “These are game-changing medications,” says Shauna Levy, M.D., an obesity medicine physician at the Tulane University Medical Center in New Orleans and the medical director of Tulane’s Bariatric and Weight Loss Center. (The general recommendation is to start with the lowest dose of 0.25 mg once weekly for four weeks, gradually increasing to 0.5 mg for at least four weeks, and continuing to 1 mg, the recommended maintenance dose, for as long as needed.) He did report the side effects to his doctor, who suggested that increasing his dosage more slowly might help. “Despite the fact that I had lost a lot of weight, I can’t say I was actually feeling better,” he says. After struggling with his weight for more than a decade, Dr. Fanciullo, a 74-year-old retired anesthesiologist, was eager to find a solution. Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable medication FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. While Ozempic and other drugs like it have proven effective in helping people lose weight, many gain it back when the injections stop. “Even better drugs of this class are in the works, where two or more hormones will be combined to aid in weight loss,” Dr. Peters says. However, that's not its main purpose, and Dr. Curry-Winchell clarifies that it should only be taken under the care of a healthcare provider to help monitor your response to the drug and act promptly if the drug needs to be discontinued.Weight loss varies by individual, but many people start seeing results within a few weeks to months when combined with lifestyle changes.They also lower levels of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar.People talk about spending hundreds, if not more than $1,000 to access prescription drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic if they're not covered by insurance.He worries that not enough investment is being made to figure out what is driving climbing obesity rates across the U.S., and the role that healthy foods and exercise might play in solving that epidemic.Similar to nausea and vomiting, you’re more likely to experience diarrhea with higher semaglutide doses. Ozempic improves insulin secretion, leading to better blood sugar management, and also results in weight loss due to its impact on appetite. Its active ingredient, semaglutide, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist (the same class of drugs that includes tirzepatide and liraglutide). “And if we don’t see symptoms resolved with a treatment plan, we have to assess if this is the right medication for you.” You can find the full list of side effects on the manufacturer's site. Side effects can happen to anyone taking Ozempic, but they tend to be worse when you first start taking the medication or go up in a dose. According to Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, 56 to 73 percent of people taking the medication lowered their A1C to under seven percent, depending on the dose taken. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Some medications available through this service may be compounded drugs, which are customized formulations prepared by a pharmacy. A landmark placebo‑controlled trial reported mean losses approaching the mid‑teens (% body weight) at 68 weeks on 2.4 mg weekly, illustrating the upper end of what the class can achieve when maximally dosed and supported (note that this differs from Ozempic’s lower diabetes doses). Liraglutide (Saxenda), semaglutide (Wegovy), and tirzepatide (Zepbound) are all FDA-approved for weight loss. “We finally have medications that are highly effective in treating obesity for the long term, and it’s a game-changer for those who really need it,” says Dr. Butsch. Semaglutide not only changes how your body responds to weight loss, but it also likely has effects beyond the weight loss benefits. Additional Common Questions Treatment for obesity is changing. Ozempic (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use package insert. But some studies have found that women may be more likely to report GI side effects and headaches from GLP-1s. Maintaining a nutritious diet and exercise routine can help minimize potential rebound weight gain. This is because when you stop Ozempic, its effects on your appetite and metabolism go away. The hype surrounding the injectable drug has led to a drastic increase in sales and shortages. The field of weight management is evolving–and fast. “Dosing for Ozempic® (semaglutide) Injection.” “What Is Ozempic® (semaglutide) Injection? Ozempic is a diabetes drug that can stimulate weight loss. Some people may already get coverage of the drugs through Medicare or Medicaid, if they have diabetes or are at risk for stroke or heart disease. While it’s unclear where Trump himself stands on coverage of the weight-loss drugs, his allies and Cabinet picks who have vowed to cut government spending could balk at the upfront price tag. WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of Americans with obesity would be eligible to have popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound covered by Medicare or Medicaid under a new rule the Biden administration proposed Tuesday morning. It's the faster pace of weight loss that occurs with GLP-1 drugs that can make facial changes more obvious. Ozempic is a weekly injection that helps lower blood sugar by helping the pancreas make more insulin.Join LifeMD for seamless, personalized care — combining expert medical guidance, convenient prescriptions, and 24/7 virtual access to urgent and primary care.“It’s going to take somebody and make them lose maybe 25 pounds, which is great, but for many people that may not be enough all by itself,” she says.After all, I had spent years of medical training absorbing the message that the only way to be healthy was to get down to a body mass index of 25 or below.Patients often report reduced desire for sweets and fatty foods, creating an opportunity to adopt healthier habits.Medi-Cal patients trying to lose weight would have to pay for the prescriptions themselves, at a cost of more than $1,000 per month, making it unattainable for low-income people.I’m enjoying what it’s doing for me,” she said. Fills for Weight-Loss Medications Like Wegovy and Mounjaro Rise Despite High Out-of-Pocket Costs Still, he says, it is meant for people who are in a life-threatening situation and he won't prescribe it in other cases. "Using it in any other way restricts and harms the people that really benefit from it, which are the diabetics." Since that moment, Rodriguez has been asked to write prescriptions for the drug almost every week. "I mean, I wasn't using it to try and fit into my Oscar dress. I really needed it for my health. But I went a while without getting it." "It was all over social media." Carter-Williams could not afford the high price, so she reluctantly went off of the drug. He is seeing positive results among his patients but recognizes cost as a significant barrier. For many of those living with obesity, these medicines can feel like a game changer. The medicines, semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), work by slowing stomach-emptying and decreasing appetite. The research also notes that all the included studies were funded by the drug manufacturers', noting concerns about a possible conflict of interest. Some of my patients tell me similar stories. Benefits you can’t beat And 70% of these participants experienced mild or moderate gastrointestinal issues, including nausea or vomiting, though for most the side effects resolved over time. Like CagriSema, it's designed to do what semaglutide does, but enhance satiety and and promote fullness to regulate hunger and metabolism better than a GLP-1 receptor agonist alone. Novo Nordisk will now make a case for its release, as a once-weekly subcutaneous injectable, and if approved it is likely to see the light of day in 2026. The reasons for quitting the trial were nausea (55%), constipation (30.7%) and vomiting (26.1%), and overall side effects were "mostly transient." The main difference between this and Wegovy or Ozempic is that it doesn't just target the GLP-1 receptor to boost insulin and reduce appetite and stomach emptying, it has an equal dose of the amylin analog (cagrilintide), which affects the brain's satiety signals and boosts appetite suppression. Ozempic and Mounjaro are two medications gaining attention for their role in weight management. Ozempic is FDA-approved to lower blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes. List the medications and doses you take on the card. Your medication dose may change if your body is under stress. Finding ways to make your prescription more affordable can help you start and stay consistent with your medication. But coverage can depend on your specific plan, health history, and other factors. The best way to save on GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists is by using your health insurance. More ways to help your patients with T2D Its job is to help regulate blood sugar by increasing insulin secretion, slowing down how quickly your stomach empties and signaling your brain that you’re full. GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your body naturally produces in the gut. The approved product information for this medicine is available below showing the changes since the previous procedure affecting the product information. For study results with respect to combinations, effects on glycaemic control and cardiovascular events, and the populations studied, see sections 4.4, 4.5 and 5.1. For more information about treatment with Ozempic, read the package leaflet (also part of the EPAR) or contact your doctor or pharmacist. In 2022, the US Food and Drink Administration (FDA) fast-tracked approval of the drug to treat obesity after a study showed it helped people lose more than 20% of their bodyweight. Researchers looked at nearly 700 patients with overweight or obesity for over a year and found that the drug lowered body weight by an average of 15%. Rybelsus is the pill version of semaglutide -- the active ingredient that helps patients lose weight -- and is already approved for those with Type 2 diabetes. Eligible patients without diabetes lost an average of 15% of their body weight (-33.6 lbs) in a 68-week clinical trial evaluating 2.4 mg semaglutide, when paired with diet and exercise. When they were given both semaglutide and RES-010, however, the weight loss remained permanent, even after both drugs were stopped. The drug was in short supply because of people taking it to lose a few pounds, which could be done with diet and exercise. Maybe you do need to be on the drug forever, but maybe you can go down to a fairly low maintenance dose. That’s because the brain and the body actively don’t want to keep that weight off. The other side of the coin is, once you’ve lost weight but then gain some back, your body doesn’t want to defend the lower weight. Then, when you gain weight, your body’s energy balance shifts and your brain says, let’s defend this weight now. Because it feels like everybody's on it. But there are also these social and economic equity issues at play here because only a fraction of the people in your reporting, you say, can benefit from actually having the means or access to them. Or we're seeing people who are willing to pay out of pocket, which is very expensive... Lisa Doggett is a columnist for Public Health Watch, a family and lifestyle medicine physician at UT Health Austin's Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center and senior medical director of Sagility. By removing the reliance on willpower and financial resources to live well, we can reduce health disparities and improve quality of life for everyone. "Willpower will only get us so far." What we need, he told me, is to design communities that make healthy choices the default, less-expensive option. "Our environments are optimized for unhealthy living." Bonnet said. That’s why it’s important to have an open discussion with your provider about your individual risks and how to best manage them.This glucose-dependent action reduces the risk of dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), making them a safer option compared to some other diabetes treatmentsWhat began as treatment has become big business, and business moves fast.Instead, he supports a broad expansion of coverage for healthier foods and gym memberships.Widespread adoption of the principles of lifestyle medicine would reduce health care costs, reverse recent declines in U.S. life expectancy and transform lives.People who haven't had access or the ability to take medication for this area, you know, may now have the opportunity to do so.However, Sky News research into Wegovy and Mounjaro shows delays in the rollout of both weight loss jabs.It can also be used as an ‘add-on’ to other diabetes medicines. Those who are overweight or obese are often at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The results come on the heels of new research estimating that the number of people living with diabetes will double by 2050, exceeding 1.3 billion worldwide. Nearly 70% of those who took the pill achieved a 10% reduction in body weight. Your provider will consider appropriate medications for you, which in many cases include GLP-1s. Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD, is an urgent-care medical director and physician at Carbon Health and Saint Mary's Hospital. Plus, due to the heightened demand, in addition to global supply issues, it's led to a shortage of Ozempic for those who actually need it to manage their diabetes, per NPR. In a study where Ozempic was added to one or more diabetes pills, adults with type 2 diabetes weighing 197 pounds lost 12 pounds in one year on a 1 mg weekly dosage. Soon enough, there were rumors of various celebrities using Ozempic; commenters began speculating who was taking the drug, and some celebs even came out to confirm that they had tried it or been offered it, further solidifying its rep. It even got a mention in Jimmy Kimmel's Oscars monologue in 2023. Videos with #ozempic have gained more than 978 million views on TikTok, many of which share positive experiences and claim quick results. Cost of Popular Weight Loss Drugs Goes Down for People... In the treatment of obesity, there was basically nothing decent beforehand. We're probably not going to treat anybody below 30 in our practice, and we're probably not going to treat anybody below 35 if they don't have medical problems. It was more GLP-1 than they were getting from the bypass, and it led to weight loss again. Now I've had patients who had gastric bypass and gained weight back, then went on these meds, and that's what they needed. Basically, these drugs were discovered from some of the research we did on how gastric bypass works. As prescription drugs go, semaglutide and tirzepatide are relatively new, so there’s a lot we still don’t know about them. Similarly, anyone with a history of pancreatitis should discuss the safety of these medications with a healthcare provider. If you do decide to give Ozempic or another similar medication a try, be aware that while they may seem like miracle drugs, they are not without downsides. Soon enough, that drug was pulled from the market, when reports that it caused dangerous heart-valve issues surfaced, reports the journal Nature Medicine. “It has to be the drug plus lifestyle modifications.” Dr. Belardo adds that lots of factors contribute to obesity, which means “there is no one-size-fits-all approach.” Finally, dehydration from Ozempic or Wegovy can cause kidney dysfunction or worsen kidney disease if you have a history of kidney complications, so it’s important to hydrate, adds Dr. Ergin. But ads from people who write prescriptions don't necessarily have the same restrictions. It leads to the questions "how come she can get it" and "why can I not," said Dr. Juliana Simonetti, co-director of the comprehensive weight management program at the University of Utah. But patients are not necessarily coming to doctors' offices now because of the science. Wegovy runs patients paying cash at least $1,305 a month in the Washington, D.C., area, according to a GoodRx search in late March. Regulatory systems are most interested in pharma's claims, not necessarily those of doctors or their enthused patients. “Set weight points are real, and I think Ozempic and Wegovy actually just bring your set point down, maybe 15 pounds less,” she says. “The drug also helps the beta cells in your pancreas make more insulin,” Dr. Peters says. GLP-1 has several functions in your body. They also discussed what this means for the future of health, food and nutrition. The celebrity chef looks unrecognizable after losing a significant amount of weight over the years, and one of Deen's major physical changes has been her face. Several photos of Deen have caught the attention of the public as the celebrity chef has lost a significant amount of weight, specifically in her face. Many stars have relied on the drug to get thin, and because of this dynamic, there's been a trend in Ozempic accusations made against some of the biggest celebrities, including the scandalous Paula Deen. Bulk drug substances used in compounding under Section 503A of the FD&C Act. In our cohort, patients lost approximately 6.7 kg at 3 months and 12.3 kg at 6 months, equivalent to 5.9% of weight lost at 3 months and 10.9% of weight lost at 6 months. Detailed information of the maximum dose reached by our cohort of patients is presented in eTable 2 in the Supplement. Of the 28 patients with type 2 diabetes, 11 (39.3%) were using a combination of insulin with metformin, empagliflozin, and/or glipizide. In our cohort of 175 patients, 89 patients (50.9%) had class 3 obesity (BMI, ≥40). A total of 175 patients (132 women 75.4%; 154 White patients 88.0%; mean SD age, 49.3 12.5 years; mean SD BMI, 41.3 9.1) of 408 patients with semaglutide prescriptions were included in the final cohort for analysis (Figure 1 and Table 1). Those drugs have different molecular structures than orforglipron, Wharton says, which could explain why orforglipron didn’t cause the same trouble. And the researchers did not observe the liver toxicity that had plagued some earlier small molecule GLP-1 drugs. In one of the new clinical trials, Wharton and other researchers tested a higher-dose version of the drug, 25 milligrams rather than 14 milligrams, which is the highest dose Rybelsus comes in. Looking down the road, there are more drugs in the later phase of clinical trials that mirror the results of bariatric surgery. Learn the differences between grains and whole grains, their health benefits, and practical tips for incorporating them into your diet for better nutrition and balanced meals. Learn what aspartame is, what it’s made of, where it’s used, and whether it’s safe. Discover more about the benefits, risks, and recommendations of both treatments. Learn how it works, effectiveness vs. injections, side effects, cost, and dosing schedule. She has found that this approach empowers them and leads to greater health outcomes. The same study found a 40 percent lower rate of opioid overdose among people with opioid use disorder who took these medications.Originally developed to manage Type 2 diabetes, these medications have emerged as powerful weight-loss tools, though their long-term impacts are still being explored.It's a change we’ve not had in obesity care since sleeve gastrectomy started in 2007.So researchers are still studying their potential long-term side effects, such as how they might affect the thyroid and GI tract.In 2023, Novo Nordisk was sued by a woman with Type 2 diabetes who alleged Ozempic was among medications that caused gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis.This is important because a greater amount of weight loss we are able to more effectively treat obesity and its related co-morbid conditions.In fact, it can run you more than $900 for one month’s worth of medication if you don’t have insurance coverage.This includes “microdoses” — much smaller doses than those approved by the FDA. These drugs also act in the brain to reduce hunger and act on the stomach to delay emptying, so you feel full for a longer time. GLP-1 drugs, also called GLP-1 agonists, are shortened names for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. Blood sugar markers showed a significant improvement for all doses of orforglipron compared to the placebo, and heart, inflammation, and blood pressure markers also improved. The 12-milligram group lost an average of 7 percent of their body weight, and the 6-milligram group 5.1 percent. Ozempic, a brand name for semaglutide, belongs to a group of drugs called GLP-1 agonists - these can also be called GLP-1 analogues, GLP-1 RAs and incretin mimetics. What to expect with treatmentThese medications are administered as weekly injections and require regular monitoring, especially when starting treatment. These medications are not recommended for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (which is rare). Like all medications, GLP-1s come with potential side effects. GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications that mimic this hormone’s effects, amplifying those natural processes. If you have type 2 diabetes, Ozempic can be beneficial in aiding with weight loss, Dr. Curry-Winchell says. On the "Not Skinny but Not Fat" podcast on Jan. 10, the influencer said her doctor recommended the drug shortly after it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2020 to help with prediabetic insulin issues and weight gain. This further proves that Ozempic is not something to take intermittently — in order to see any results, "ongoing treatment is required to maintain improvements in weight and health," as concluded by the researchers. In the study, patients regained "two-thirds of their prior weight loss" one year after withdrawal. Kennedy, who as Trump’s nominee for HHS secretary is subject to Senate confirmation, has railed against the drugs’ popularity. Shortages of the drugs have also limited the supplies. The cost of the drugs has largely limited them to the wealthy, including celebrities who boast of their benefits. The anti-obesity drug market has expanded significantly in recent years, with the Food and Drug Administration approving a new class of weekly injectables like Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound to treat obesity. “That hormone gets absorbed into the bloodstream, goes to the brain and tells the brain you’ve eaten food. Wegovy comes in five different dose strengths, while Ozempic has four. Food and Drug Administration, while Ozempic is not, though many people are using it off-label for that purpose. Six months after the FDA approved the once-a-week 2.4mg semaglutide dose, Wegovy, for weight loss in June of 2021, the manufacturer quickly announced a shortage due to “overwhelming demand.”Ozempic is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss but is mostly used to treat people with diabetes, she says.“Let’s identify what’s causing the problem, and ultimately rely on these drugs — which have side effects — less and less over time.”Ozempic has a smaller dose of semaglutide than Wegovy.In our cohort, patients lost approximately 6.7 kg at 3 months and 12.3 kg at 6 months, equivalent to 5.9% of weight lost at 3 months and 10.9% of weight lost at 6 months.“You’ll have less hunger and fewer cravings.” That’s what leads to weight loss.As with all medications, potential side effects exist with weight-loss medications. Mounjaro was approved for type 2 diabetes in 2022, and Zepbound, which contains tirzepatide, the same active ingredient as in Mounjaro, was approved in 2023. “The newer classes are now up to that 25-plus percent weight loss on average in the clinical trials. But advancements in these drugs are developing by the year, and Krebs said there are already new versions - such as tirzepatides - already going through clinical trials that are showing improved results. “This is not a, ‘I can take it for a month, six months, fix the problem and come off them, and it’s gone away’ drug.” AOMs primarily address the biological aspect of obesity by regulating appetite and metabolism. While there may be long-term savings due to reduced obesity-related comorbidities, the initial and ongoing costs are considerable and must be weighed carefully. This might strain public health budgets and shift resources away from other crucial services. If policymakers and the public perceive AOMs as a panacea, there might be less emphasis on these preventive strategies, which are vital for long-term health and well-being. You may be more at risk for certain types of cancer if you take this medication. Wear a medical ID bracelet or chain. Some types of stress that may affect your blood sugar include fever, infection, and surgery. Tell your care team if you have high blood sugar. And you saw companies like Novo Nordisk, which is, you know, widely considered the leader in this field - they were the first to bring a highly effective weight-loss drug to market. They produced small amounts of weight loss. And people with Type 2 diabetes have trouble naturally regulating their glucose levels. The report outlines use of GLP-1 drugs by both age and sex. Meanwhile, 74 percent say they do not plan to take the medications. Surveying a nationally representative sample of 8,793 Americans, researchers found that 11.8 percent have used GLP-1 agonists and 14 percent say they are interested in using the drugs. While it's so far less impactful than existing and experimental injectable therapeutics, a daily pill has obvious advantages – it's easier, doesn't require the same cold storage, offers flexibility and is likely to appeal to people who would be considered clinically overweight but not obese. Unlike the semaglutide-cagrilintide combo, amycretin is a single-molecule drug that activates both the amylin and GLP-1 receptors. The drugs also carry serious risks including kidney failure, pancreatitis and thyroid cancer. Ozempic and Mounjaro were both developed as treatments for type 2 diabetes. But at the start of August, Sky News research revealed only eight of 42 NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England had started providing treatment to patients, and many of the rest unable to guarantee when it would be available. Like Ozempic and Wegovy, it suppresses the appetite and lengthens the amount of time food stays in the stomach, leading to weight loss - at least for as long as you carry on taking it. But what are these drugs, how do they work - and what were they originally designed to do?