Drug policy and healthcare rarely make headlines during the Academy Awards. Nonetheless, the rumored widespread usage of the diabetic medicine Ozempic as a weight loss formula by Hollywood A-listers was the source of some laughter for viewers, thanks to host Jimmy Kimmel.
Kimmel mentioned the injectable prescription medication used for weight loss during his opening monologue, wondering aloud, “Everyone looks so terrific. I can’t help but question, “Is Ozempic the appropriate choice for me?” when I take glance around this place.
The fact that a joke was made about the drug’s aesthetic appeal outweighing its medical benefits shows that a serious discussion about its controlled use is necessary. For the simple reason that the negative effects are not pretty.
Drugs that act on the GLP receptor, such as those now unavailable in India, have been shown to be effective in reducing body mass index and, by extension, the risk of diabetes and its complications. Unfortunately, adverse effects make their use inappropriate outside of the prescribed context.
Dr. Anoop Misra, Chairman of Fortis CDOC Hospital for Diabetes and Allied Sciences, explains that nausea, vomiting, and, in extremely rare cases, pancreatic inflammation, are the earliest symptoms of diabetes.
What is Ozempic?
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What Other Consequences Should We Be Aware Of?
It shouldn’t be the go-to option for everyone who struggles with weight. In addition, it’s likely to be pricey when it finally becomes available in India, which will be a few months at the earliest. The minimum monthly outlay might be around Rs 8000–9000.
Dr. Misra warns that it also causes stomach and intestine problems like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in the early stages of treatment. According to him, there are three groups of persons who should be given the medication.
Why it can’t be used solely as a Weight Loss Aid?
After you stop taking the medication, you will inevitably regain some of the lost weight. Except for bariatric surgery, all weight-loss strategies eventually lead to a regaining of the lost pounds. This also occurs with Semaglutide, according to a larger study. Dr. Misra notes that even while the weight gained back is less than it was before the drug was started, it comes back all the same.
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