Feeding off of a collective hunger to lose weight, the multi-billion dollar diet industry plays on the public’s relentless search for effective weight loss medications that seem too good to be true—and usually are. Frustrating, never-ending, and at times appearing pointless, decades of fad diets, dietary supplements, and prescription medicines with promises of quick and easy weight loss, have left the obese and overweight with little choices beyond surgery.
But the newest anti-obesity medication, semaglutide, still shooting up in popularity more than two years after being approved, is injecting hope into the helplessly overweight.
What is Semaglutide
Sold under the brand names, Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 RAs, which mimic the body’s GLP-1 hormone that is naturally released in the gut. Used to treat type-2 diabetes for 15 years, the GLP-1 hormone prompts the body to produce more insulin, which works to control blood glucose levels.
When given in higher dosages, GLP-1 also interacts with the parts of the brain that suppress appetite and signal hunger satiation. When used in conjunction with diet and exercise, Semaglutide has not only shown to have promising results for the morbidly obese, obese, and overweight, but it has been shown to reduce the risk of some types of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
As the medical community begins to accept obesity as a chronic metabolic disease instead of blaming the condition on a person’s lack of willpower or sedentary lifestyle, semaglutide has been shown to be effective in the age-old struggle with losing weight. But semaglutide, though recognized as a scientific breakthrough by many, is not a cure for obesity nor is it right for everyone.
With no one-size-fits-all solution, obesity is a heterogenous, chronic, and complex condition that normally requires a lifelong commitment to manage.
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Semaglutide for Weight Loss
As of the date of publication, Semaglutide has only been approved for weight loss under the brand name Wegovy. But as interest in semaglutide for weight loss continues to grow, and demand for Wegovy is outweighing supply, health care professionals have been prescribing other brands of semaglutide, such as Ozempic, for off-label use. Off-label is when a drug is used for a purpose other than the original reason it is TGA-approved.
But with so many people using semaglutide off-label for rapid weight loss, demand has become so high, that there is a shortage for people who need it as a diabetes medicine, the drug’s original purpose.
Semaglutide Effectiveness for Weight Loss Among Non-Diabetics
Though there have been other medications that work to suppress appetite, semaglutide performs on a whole new level.
In a study of obese adults, participants who only incorporated lifestyle changes lost about 2.4% of their weight, whereas 1/2 of the participants using semaglutide in conjunction with the exact same lifestyle changes lost 15% of their body weight, with ⅓ losing as much as 20%. Since then, studies have continued to show similar results. It has also been revealed, however, that some participants regained the weight lost when semaglutide use stopped.
When it comes down to it, weight management will always involve a lifestyle intervention such as diet and exercise. That has not changed. But having anti-obesity medications available for many who struggled and failed with attempts to drop weight for years is extremely promising.
Possible Side Effects of Semaglutide
The side effects of semaglutide are generally mild.
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Gas
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Pain
- Bloating
For patients just starting semaglutide, GI issues are the most common complaint. Side effects can be reduced by beginning with a lower dose and then slowly increasing the dosage.
Serious symptoms, though rare, include allergic reactions, thyroid cancer, and low blood sugar.
Who Should Take Semaglutide for Weight Loss?
The TGA recommends Wegovy for weight loss if you meet one of the following criteria:
- BMI of 27 kg/m2 or higher, and at least one condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol
- BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater
Who Should NOT Take Semaglutide for Weight Loss?
- Anyone with a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2;
- gallbladder disease;
- pancreatitis;
- Or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
Before considering semaglutide, consult your primary care physician as they know your personal and family medical history and can guide you in the best treatment for your condition.
Unexpected semaglutide popularity began to rise in the last year thanks to a social media frenzy. The increase in demand for the drug for weight loss has caused a worldwide shortage, leaving those who need it waiting in the wings.
How Semaglutide Works
Semaglutide acts on appetite centers in the brain, increasing the feeling of fullness and slowing down the emptying of †he stomach’s contents.
It affects the secretion of insulin and glucagon, which is why it is so effective in diabetes.
Semaglutide has been reported to reduce the risk of heart disease. Other medications in the past have reduced weight but increased the risk of heart attack, which made them dangerous.
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Semaglutide Injection Best Practices
- Read and follow enclosed instructions carefully before each use and ask your doctor if you have any questions.
- Semaglutide injections are given as a shot under the skin on the upper stomach, thighs, or upper arm.
- Alternate injection site each time you give yourself a shot.
- Always check the liquid in the pen. It should be clear and colorless. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it.
- Use a new needle each time you inject your medicine.
- Never share medicine pens with others under any circumstances. Sharing needles or pens can transmit infection.
- Use this medicine on the same day each week with or without meals.
Dosing
The dose will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s directions and do not change unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Missed Dose
If you accidentally miss a dose, just take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double up doses.
If you miss a dose for more than 2 weeks, ask your doctor about how to restart your treatment.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Store the opened Ozempic® pen in the refrigerator for 56 days or the opened Wegovy™ pen in the refrigerator for 28 days. Throw away the pen after 56 days for Ozempic® or 28 days for Wegovy®, even if it still has medicine in it.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container so the needles cannot poke through.
How Much Does Semaglutide Cost?
With an average cost in Australia at $130 a month, one of the greatest barriers to semaglutide for weight loss is the cost.
Obesity is more common in lower income groups, so those who would benefit the most may be the least able to afford it. This lack of equity must be wrestled with if this medication becomes widely used for obesity management.
Downsides of Semaglutide
Societal pressure to be skinny is a powerful incentive to lose weight, especially in a world where obesity is stigmatized. The potential for semaglutide to be used by people who are not obese is a risk worth noting. Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of over 30, and overweight is BMI of 25-30. Because it suppresses appetite, it might enable people with certain eating disorders or those with lower BMIs.
Another downside is the drug’s impact on socialization. Because patients feel full after just a few bites, meals with friends and family can be awkward.
Less common Constipation hair loss Rare Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site change in taste loss of taste Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. There is a problem
Less common Constipation hair loss Rare Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site change in taste loss of taste Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. There is a problem
Why Doctors Prescribe Semaglutide for Weight Loss
Obesity management should always start with lifestyle interventions such as reducing caloric intake and increasing physical activity.
But when these efforts have failed in the past, options have been limited. While the most effective option, bariatric surgery, is generally well-tolerated and effective, it is a lifelong change.
Celebrity Semaglutide Weight Loss
Ozempic is the newest craze taking over Hollywood for chronic weight management. While stars like Kyle Richards have denied using the Type II diabetes medication, others have spoken out about their decision to use the drug to shed weight quickly.
Tracy Morgan
During an August 2023 appearance on the Today Show, Tracy Morgan admitted taking Ozempic injections.
“It cuts my appetite in half,” reported Morgan, “now I only eat half a bag of Doritos.”
As for his gym routine, the actor added, “I get up at seven every morning, and I’m in the gym at 10.”
Amy Schumer
Schumer admitted that she lost weight using Ozempik, but had to stop taking the drug because it made her feel sick.
Shumer slammed celebrities who lie about using the weight-loss drug.
“Everyone has been lying saying, ‘Oh smaller portions.’ Like shut the f—k up.”
Sharon Osbourne
Though the former reality star did not specify which medication she used, Sharon Osborn said it helped her lose 30 pounds in just four months but that she got “very sick” and had to stop.
Chelsea Handler
Chelsea Handler was also on the weight-loss drug, but has since stopped because it made her nauseous.
“I’m not on (semaglutide) anymore,” she clarified. “I’m an irresponsible drug user… it’s not right for me.”
Elon Musk
Elon Musk admitted to using semaglutide for weight management. When asked about his secret, the billionaire tweeted, “Fasting” and “Wegovy.”
