Will Ozempic help me lose weight?
The What:
Ozempic, a Health Canada approved injectable prescription drug in 2018 designed mainly for treating type II diabetes, is rising in popularity but not necessarily for the right reasons. The drug was intended to be prescribed in low doses for regulating blood sugars, however weight loss was also a common side effect. While this has never been advertised initially by the manufacturer, many health practitioners and people without blood sugar related concerns have come to realize Ozempic could be used for weight management.
This has caused a sudden increase in the global demand for Ozempic in the past couple of years leading to serious supply chain shortages in BC leaving patients who require the drug for medical management without access. As a result, the same manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, provided similar alternatives such as Wegovy and Rybelsus. In fact, Wegovy, unlike Ozempic and Rybelsus, is now directly marketed for weight loss. Fortunately in BC, the government has put in regulations last year in 2023 for sales outside the province so BC residents can have adequate access for medical use.
The How:
Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus are semaglutides- a class of medication called incretin mimetics. They help your blood sugar levels stay normal by supporting the pancreas to release more insulin which helps lower blood sugars more efficiently.
So how does weight loss occur on these medications? The mechanism here is the drug also imitates a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone gives our body the signal of satiety while slowing down digestion so food stays in the gut longer. These effects may influence us to eat more slowly and eat less overall. The loss of hunger and appetite is often what can result in weight loss.
Side effects and efficacy:
These medications have side effects that include but are not limited to- poor appetite, nausea, diarrhea, pancreatitis, kidney failure, and in extreme cases, malnutrition due to little absorption of essential nutrients.
There are also side effects to stopping the medication. While gastrointestinal symptoms typically improve after stopping the medication, the mechanism behind the drug designed for blood sugar control and weight loss will also cease.
Specifically in terms of weight- like many fad diets and intense weight loss regimens, weight is often regained and sometimes in greater amounts once the medication is stopped. Therefore to maintain weight loss, you are most likely dependent on the medication. If someone is considering stopping Ozempic (and its “cousins”), dosages should be reduced gradually over a significant period of time to avoid any sudden spikes in blood sugar levels.
The Cost:
Ozempic can be costly, as insurance only provides coverage for appropriate medical diagnoses, not for weight loss. Even though both these medications have to be prescribed, there are unfortunately practitioners who are willing to unethically administer it at a steep price mostly in the US.
Without insurance, Ozempic is said to cost around $200-300 per month in Canada. However, with adequate insurance and qualifications for the drug, the price can be reduced to as little as $25 per month. This is good news for folks using it for medical purposes.
Our thoughts:
Ozempic and other semaglutides for blood sugar management in conditions such as diabetes and PCOS? Great!
Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy for sustainable weight loss? Not really. You would most likely have to stay on the medication indefinitely to maintain the weight loss or risk rebound weight gain if you stop. It also carries many potential side effects and it can be expensive.
These medications seem to be another stunt that plays right into our current diet culture. It re-enforces the message that weight loss is the holy grail of health and should be achieved at any cost. Even if that cost is health. Popular media have reported that influencers and celebrities faced backlash when promoting “healthy lifestyles” and “healthy body” ideals while secretly taking these medications. This reinforces the illusion that healthy bodies must look a certain way. Ultimately these medications do not serve to address any meaningful root concerns around our relationship with food and body. It could also mean partaking in these drugs could keep folks stuck in disordered eating patterns and perpetuate unrealistic standards of body ideals for longer. Not to mention its efficacy relies on people continuing to take it. Surely we can see the conflict of interest here in terms of the drug companies' stance to profit?
That being said, the desire for weight loss in a weight-stigmatized, thin-privileged world is entirely valid. Our dominant culture is not kind or fair to folks of all sizes or to all bodies. It makes complete sense that these medications could offer a way to reduce suffering from the harm of weight stigma. In support of our autonomy over our bodies, this is only a gentle reminder to get informed on the side effects, efficacy, and the benefit and risks before considering to use it solely for weight loss. We should also protect this resource for folks who require it for medical treatment. When it comes to nutrition care, individualized approaches must be taken in order to ensure safety when using these medications. It’s always a good idea to work with a dietitian in case there are deeper issues around relationships with food and gaps in nutrition needs if folks do decide to trial medications for weight loss.
To learn more:
Disclaimer: the information provided is not intended as medical advice or to diagnose or treat a medical disease. It is strictly for informational purposes. Consult with your medical provider such as a dietitian before implementing any dietary changes, the information provided does not replace medical advice provided by your healthcare provider.
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Research assisted by Elisa Sahraie, UBC student
Reviewed and edited by Abby Hsiao, RD
Work Cited:
BC Gov News . (2023, June 16). Regulations protects supply of diabetes drugs in B.C. (2023). https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0085-000957
Blum, D. (2022, November 22). What is Ozempic and why is it getting so much attention?. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/22/well/ozempic-diabetes-weight-loss.html
Hogan, K., Lyttle, Z., & Schonfeld, A. (2023, December 14). Stars who’ve spoken about ozempic - and what they’ve said. Peoplemag. https://people.com/health/stars-whove-spoken-about-ozempic-use-and-what-they-said/
Kolodziejzyk, K. (2023, June 7). Diabetes drug OZEMPIC trending for weight-loss. Dietitian Success Center. https://dietitiansuccesscenter.com/diabetes-drug-ozempic/
Lovick, S. (2023, October 19). What happens when you stop taking ozempic?. Habitual. https://www.tryhabitual.com/journal/what-happens-when-you-stop-taking-ozempic
Ozempic® (SEMAGLUTIDE) injection for type 2 diabetes. Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection for Type 2 Diabetes. (2023). https://www.ozempic.com/
The Globe and Mail (2024, Jan 22). Canada has an Ozempic shortage as demand surges. What to know about the drug being used for weight loss and its availability. (2024). https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ozempic-shortage-obesity-side-effects/#:~:text=Rybelsus%20is%20currently%20approved%20by,prescribed%20off%2Dlabel%20for%20obesity.
Weight-loss prescription medication: Wegovy® (SEMAGLUTIDE) injection 2.4 mg. Weight-Loss Prescription Medication | Wegovy® (semaglutide) Injection 2.4 mg. (2023). https://www.wegovy.com/
Willson, A. (2023, October 19). How much does ozempic cost? with & without insurance. Ro. https://ro.co/weight-loss/ozempic-cost-without-insurance/
Zuvela, T. (2023, December 2). These celebrities have all shared their thoughts on Ozempic, and whether they’re taking it themselves. ELLE. https://www.elle.com.au/celebrity/celebrities-using-ozempic-28445
