Elon Musk affirms that he has used it and, according to some media in the United States, the use of this drug has become “the worst kept secret in Hollywood”.
It’s a weight-loss shot whose growing popularity in the United States is leading to shortages at pharmacies.
The drug, called semaglutide — which is marketed under the names Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus — used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and as an anti-obesity medicine.
And now it has just been approved in the United Kingdom for use in the National Health Service (NHS).
The drug, which is given as a subcutaneous injection, causes the person to feel fuller and more satisfied, whiche makes you eat less.
Health authorities, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the National Institute for Excellence in Health and Care (NICE) in the United Kingdom, indicate that the drug is safe and effective for chronic weight control. in adults with obesity who have at least one disorder associated with being overweight, such as hypertension or type 2 diabetes.
And they emphasize that its use must be accompanied by a low-calorie diet and physical activity programs.
According to NICE, the evidence shows that semaglutide can help reduce weight by more than 10%, if implemented together with changes in nutrition and lifestyle.
Semaglutide works as an appetite suppressant by mimicking a gut hormone called peptide-1, which targets the areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food consumption.
The hormone is released after eating and typically makes people feel fuller, which helps reduce overall calorie intake.
The injections must be prescribed by a specialist and the recommendation is that the drug is taken for a maximum of two years.
However, the effect of the weight loss drug has been so drastic that in many countries its popularity has skyrocketed.
An article published last year in the magazine Variety says the drug “has saturated the industry [del cine y entretenimiento en Hollywood] in recent months, helping beautiful and wealthy people lose their extra pounds quickly.
Insurance companies in the United States refuse to cover the cost of its use, which is about $1,300 a monthin people who are not diabetics or who are not taking it as a prescription drug.
But its popularity has increased so much that there are currently a general shortage in that countrywith fears for people who are dependent on the drug for medical reasons.
In February, the chief executive of Novo Nordisk, the drugmaker that makes the drug, told NBC News that they are ramping up production to keep up with growing demand.
“We know for sure that patients have been lining up [para comprarlo]said Lars Jorgensen, the company’s chief executive.
The risks
The pharmaceutical stresses that semaglutide should only be used on the prescription of a doctor.
Like all medicines, this medicine has side effects and risks, such as nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Other side effects listed by the FDA are: headache, fatigue, indigestion, dizziness, bloating, flatulence, gastroenteritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
The agency also points out that health professionals should warn patients about the potential risk of thyroid tumors.
“Wegovy should not be used in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with a rare disease called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndrome,” the FDA states.
In addition, rapid weight loss can also cause the skin to lose collagen and elastin, leading to what some outlets have called the “semaglutide face,” a haggard appearance.
Option “welcome”
But for whom losing weight is a problem or being overweight is leading to other health disorders, medicine is a positive alternative.
Kailey Wood, 36, took Ozempic for seven months, after her doctor prescribed the drug in New York.
As he told the BBC, lost just under 30 kg, going from obese to healthy and within your body mass index (BMI) range.
“I have PCOS and insulin resistance, but honestly, I didn’t have any problems with my weight until I was in my 30s, after I had my kids,” she says.
“I was gaining weight rapidly. I had a personal trainer and I followed every diet known: keto, low carb, intermittent fasting and nothing seemed to work“.
When Kailey went for tests with her doctor, she was told she had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and because of the risks associated with PCOS, she was also at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
“The long-term effects [de ser obesa] They scared me because I have two daughters,” she says.
“I just wanted to do my best, show them what a healthy mom looks like, go out there and play with them.”
Kailey, who works for a tech start-up and has her own TikTok page, notes that those who want to use semaglutide need to be aware of the drug’s side effects.
“When you start taking this medication, your body almost goes into shock:you have headaches, nausea, tiredness,” he explains.
“But your body starts to get used to it. You have to be aware and listen to your body.”
Kailey says she finds it “in very bad taste” for some to promote the medicine in the US media as a “quick weight loss product”.
He thinks this is sending the wrong message.
“What it is really doing is changing people’s lives: treating the patient before they have the disease,” he says.
Helen Knight, Director of Medicines Evaluation at NICE, says: “For some people, losing weight is a real challenge, so a medicine like semaglutide is a good option.”
The expert stresses that in the United Kingdom, the drug “will not be available to everyone.”
For his part, Dr Duane Mellor, Registered Dietitian and Senior Lecturer at Aston University School of Medicine in England, says: “It is important to remember that living with high body weight or obesity is not a lifestyle choice. life, and people who want to improve their health should be supported.
“It is also clear that in the UK semaglutide will not be intended as a lifestyle weight loss product. It should be used for the purpose of improving health.”
Remember that you can receive notifications from BBC Mundo. Download the new version of our app and activate them so you don’t miss out on our best content.