We’ve heard for years about miraculous weight-loss products that claim to melt the pounds away.
Some are absurd, some are illegal because they’re so dangerous, and some have gained notoriety recently, most notably Ozempic and WeGovy.
These drugs, which were initially prescribed to treat diabetes, are now frequently given via Telehealth to those who want to lose some weight.
And like most trends, it’s Hollywood is where it all began!
According to Variety, Ozempic and WeGovy have completely taken the industry by storm, and pretty much everybody has given one of them a try, including reality stars, movie producers, and actors.
Only the wealthy can afford the injections because many health insurers won’t pay the price ($1,200 to $1,500 per month) for anyone who isn’t diabetic.
However, because these medications have some potentially harmful side effects, the average consumer shouldn’t be jealous of these celebs.
Semaglutide is an active ingredient found in both WeGovy and Ozempic and it functions by inducing the release of insulin.
Additionally, the medication reduces the release of glucagon, a pancreatic hormone that raises blood glucose levels, but only when those levels are already elevated.
As a result, the risk of hypoglycemia is reduced. Last but not least, semaglutide also slows down digestion, prolonging the patient’s feeling of fullness.
All of this may result in significant weight loss, which sounds great if this is your goal, right?
Unfortunately, there are some negative side effects you should be aware of as well.
Despite the fact that some users regard semaglutide as one of the best ways to kick-start a healthy lifestyle, medical professionals warn that the medication has some serious side effects, such as:
– Constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, stomach pain, or nausea,
– Rash, itchiness, and swelling of the legs, ankles, feet, face, mouth, tongue, or throat, breathing or swallowing challenges, less urination,
– Vision changes, dizziness, or fainting, a quickened heartbeat.
In addition to all of that, when you stop taking the medication, you might regain all of the lost weight.
If you combine this medication with other blood sugar-lowering drugs, your blood sugar may fall too low as well.
Not to mention that some semaglutide users have experienced severe kidney issues, including acute kidney injury.
This can cause bloody urine, less urination, twitching muscles, rapid weight gain, and seizures.
Consult your doctor, not just a Telehealth doctor, if you have questions about taking Ozempic, or WeGovy for weight loss.
Depending on your health and potential side effects, there is a good chance it will be more trouble than it’s worth.
Furthermore, people with severe diabetes are having trouble filling their prescriptions due to the drug’s sudden surge in popularity.
Finally, weight loss drugs promote the idea that being thin is ideal, which experts fear is harmful to those who have eating disorders or are recovering from them.
