Ozemoic has been all over the news, social media and chat boards oin recent months, as the viral drug has gained merit for its ability to trigger weight loss.
Ozempic, known generically as semaglutide, was approved in 2017 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is a weekly injection that helps lower blood sugar by helping the pancreas make more insulin
The viral weight loss drug has gained TikTok's users' attention, with the hashtag #ozempic gaining 1.3 billion views and #ozempicweightloss gaining 417.5 million views.
Read more: Ozempic patient feels 'like a drug dealer looking for a fix’ during shortage
According to healthtech platform Kaly.com who conducted a recent study into which US states are most partial to being swayed by the Ozempoic buzz (Connecticut, if you are interested) creators on the platform are posting a range of videos, including Ozempic weight loss journeys, how to use Ozempic currently and the side effects of the drug.
Google searches for the viral drug Ozempic have skyrocketed by 436% in the past five years, as well as searches for the side effect Ozempic face have exploded by 67% in the past 30 days worldwide.
For those who don't know, Ozempic face is a slang term description that has been given to some celebrities who fans speculate has been using the drug for weight loss, due to the perception of a drawn, gaunt look to the face.
This effect can be very ageing, similar to that of buccal fat removal.
The weight loss drug has been named 'Hollywood's worst kept secret' as several celebrities such as Amy Schumer and Robbie Williams have confirmed they have turned to use the viral drug.
Sharon Osbourne is one of the most recent celebrities to open up about the side-effects and negative impacts she's experienced since using Ozempic.
In a Daily Mail interview published on Friday, Sharon said she feels "too gaunt.
"I'm under 100 pounds, and I don't want to be. Be careful what you wish for."
She has since come off the drug, but not without a warning not to give it to teenagers as it's so easy to become addicted to the viral weight loss drug.
CEO of Kaly.com, Amr Hosny, said: "This year has seen a viral increase in the use of Ozempic on social media with the likes of TikTok users broadcasting their weight loss ‘before and after’ posts and their Ozempic journeys.
However, it's essential to research before using it, and find out what it's for and the side effects. Ozempic is only FDA-approved for treating type 2 diabetes, so it's more frequently prescribed to patients who have diabetes and suffer from obesity.
Using Ozempic for weight loss when you don't have type 2 diabetes is considered an "off-label use" of the medication. The most common side effects of using Ozempic are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and constipation.
There are also less common but more severe side effects, including allergic reactions, changes in vision and pancreatitis. As well as an Ozempic FDA-boxed warning for the risk of thyroid C-cell tumors.
It's important to get individual advice from a healthcare specialist before considering starting Ozempic treatment and to review if it is the right weight loss path for yourself."
Ozempic is licensed in Ireland for diabetics.
Around 350 medicines are currently out of stock or in short supply in Ireland, including the diabetic drug.
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