For many Americans, the struggle to combat weight loss has always been challenging to overcome. Recent research has shown that over 42% of Americans suffer from obesity. Traditional methods like working out and dieting have been used to combat the issue but have lost their popularity due to a new weight loss method.
These injectable drugs, traditionally used for diabetes, are now growing in use to treat weight loss. One of the most well-known brands in this phenomenon is Ozempic. In 2017, the FDA approved the Ozempic to help adults with type 2 diabetes; as UC Davis Health writes, “Ozempic works by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone. As those hormone levels rise, the molecules go to your brain, telling it you’re full. It also slows digestion by increasing the time it takes for food to leave the body.”
By tricking your brain into being full, users will experience being hungry less often and have a decreased desire to eat. Doctors have begun using Semaglutide, the active compound in Ozempic, under the Wegovy brand to treat weight loss. Prescriptions for these weight loss-related drugs have skyrocketed in their use. CNBC states, “U.S. healthcare providers wrote more than nine million prescriptions for Ozempic, Wegovy, and similar diabetes and obesity drugs during the last three months of 2022.”
As helpful as these drugs can be, it is also essential to understand the potential risks associated with their use. Many have reported heartburn, fatigue, stomach pain, and dizziness. More severe reports have included thyroid tumors, kidney failure, cancer, and long-term effects it can have, especially on the heart. Even though this drug hasn’t been around for a sufficient amount of time, experts do warn of the potential for heart disease and strokes.
Overall, drugs like Ozempic can be an effective option to help with weight loss. However, it is always important to consider the potential risks they can have. It is critical to consult with a healthcare provider to make an informed decision about whether drugs like Ozempic are right for you.
Article written by Romina Mofrad of Walt Whitman High School