2023-05-09 13:47:53
The drug Ozempic is intended for the treatment of diabetes. Yet the drug is not only used by people with diabetes. Ozempic went viral on Tiktok as ‘the panacea’ with which you can lose kilos in no time. The drug is also used among celebrities for weight loss. This popularity fuels a run on the drug Ozempic. The consequence? The medication is often no longer available. Not even for people with diabetes who really need the drug. Read everything you need to know about Ozempic here.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a brand name for semaglutide, a drug you can inject if you have diabetes. It causes the blood sugar level to drop. The drug was developed by manufacturer Novo Nordisk and is approved to treat type two diabetes.
Not only does the blood sugar level drop due to the use of this drug, but the number on the scale also drops, scientists have discovered. The drug causes your appetite to decrease, which causes you to lose weight.
Why Ozempic became a hype
In 2022, Novo Nordisk, who previously developed Ozempic, launched a new drug: Wegovy. The drug Wegovy also contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as the diabetes drug Ozempic. The difference between Ozempic and Wegovy? Wegovy is not intended for people with diabetes, but for the treatment of severe obesity. Wegovy is not yet available in the Netherlands.
One drug to treat diabetes and one to treat obesity, all good you would think, but then celebrities and influencers also discovered the appetite-suppressing effect of the substance semaglutide. The drug Ozempic, ‘a panacea’ for weight loss, became a huge hype on social media. On TikTok alone, the hashtag #ozempic currently has 934.6M views.
A hype with nasty consequences
The huge trend surrounding Ozempic and the weight loss it causes is driving a run on this drug. There is not enough of the drug left and people with diabetes are the victims of this. Diabetics who are very satisfied with Ozempic are sometimes forced to switch to another drug due to the shortages. It’s not nice to switch medication when you’ve found something that works well. Especially when other drugs cause more side effects.
Do not use Ozempic for weight loss
Ozempic is intended for the treatment of diabetes but is now also used as a weight loss agent. According to pharmacist Taco van Witsen, this off-label use is the biggest problem, he says in an radio broadcast of Lotte Notenboom. He sees the shortages in pharmacies and thinks that Ozempic should not be used for diabetic patients and not as a weight loss agent.
Which weight loss product?
For people who are seriously overweight and need a weight loss aid, there are other options. Taco: ‘There are slimming products that are in stock. Use it for patients with serious obesity so that everyone can get the right medication at the right time.’ Examples of drugs approved for the treatment of obesity are: Saxenda and Victoza.
Weight loss products are not a quick fix
You do not just get these slimming products, a specialist must assess whether you are eligible for this medication. You are only eligible for a reimbursement if you are seriously overweight and have participated in a fitness program for at least one year government-approved combined lifestyle intervention (GLI) program. A GLI program helps people to exercise more and eat healthier, with the aim of a lasting change in lifestyle.
Medication can be a tool, but the focus is mainly on changing behavior for a healthy lifestyle. ‘Sufficient exercise and paying attention to what you eat will help much more than trying to solve it medically,’ says Taco.
Hey, you look good!
Have you let yourself go completely during a snack attack or do you want to lose a few kilos so that your favorite jeans are comfortable again? Weight loss drugs are not intended as quick fix to lose a few pounds. So don’t immediately reach for a weight loss product, but focus on your lifestyle. Much longer lasting and much healthier. In the meantime, don’t forget to be kind to yourself. Enjoy tasty snacks and choosing a new favorite pair of trousers is also fun. The most important thing is: you are beautiful just the way you are!
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