About Ozempic and the Dangers of Self-Medication for Weight Loss
A few months later, when the Tiktok creator stopped treatment, she gained twice the weight she had lost, and "I got the bad binges and went for it," she said in an episode of the Not Skinny Not Fat podcast. Bader, who has spoken openly about her history with binge eating disorder, now shares her experience with Ozempic, a drug created to treat type 2 diabetes that has gone viral on social media for its slimming effects.
The Woman Post | Andrea Gutiérrez
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Although Ozempic's website claims that it is not a weight loss drug, studies show a 15% weight loss after eight to twelve weeks of treatment. Since it is now possible to buy this drug over the counter, hundreds of Tiktok users have had the opportunity to jump on the bandwagon, leaving a worldwide shortage and affecting patients in need of the drug.
But how does it work?
According to Colombian physician Carlos Jaramillo, semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, has four initial effects:
1. it suppresses appetite by acting on receptors in the hypothalamus; 2. it suppresses appetite by acting on receptors in the hypothalamus
2. It increases insulin production
3. It slows gastric emptying, prolonging the sensation of satiety.
4. Improves microcirculation
Unfortunately, according to Ozempic's official website, this injectable drug also has many side effects, the most common of which include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain, and constipation, and some more serious ones include:
– Pancreatitis
– Vision changes
– Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Symptoms include dizziness or lightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, tremors, weakness, headache, rapid heartbeat, and nervousness.
– Renal insufficiency.
– Severe allergic reactions. These include swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fainting or feeling dizzy; or very fast heartbeat.
– Gallbladder problems
In addition, some people have experienced changes in their face due to rapid weight loss; this phenomenon has been called Ozempic face.
But it doesn't stop there. Studies have shown that once a person stops taking the weekly injection of Ozempic, they can regain 100% of the weight they lost during treatment, making it impossible to maintain the results over time. As Dr. Jaramillo states, semaglutide is a very effective drug for treating type 2 diabetes and high levels of obesity; even so, it should not come without complementary treatment, including exercise and a healthy diet.
If you are thinking of starting to take Ozempic or any other weight loss medication, first read and inform yourself of the effects involved. Keep in mind that neither Tiktok nor any social media is a reliable source of information, especially when it comes to health. If you think you need to lose weight or have health problems, see your doctor before trying any medication you see on the internet.
