What is Ozempic?
Ozempic, commonly referred to as the “weight loss drug” by society, is an injectable prescription medicine. It was made by the Danish pharmaceutical company Nova Nordisk to treat type 2 diabetes. The drug is currently a global sensation, popping up everywhere on social media platforms, talk shows, and advertisements.
Ozempic contains semaglutide, a glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist which is a class of medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. The drug treats diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels. The medicine also decreases the risk of cardiovascular health problems like strokes and heart attacks in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart diseases. However, what makes Ozempic interesting to many consumers is its effects on weight loss. One side effect many users noticed was the quick rate of weight loss, which the drug achieves by reducing appetite and slowing food digestion in the stomach, making consumers stay full longer.
Though Ozempic is viewed as a magical solution to all weight-related problems in media, most people are unaware of its potential side effects. The drug comes with possible complications such as nausea and stomach pain. Additionally, the long-term health consequences are still undetermined as the drug has only risen in popularity in the last decade. The drug is also meant to be taken continuously, meaning once users are off the drug, it is possible that they will gain the weight they lost back.
With the popularity of Ozempic, the term “Ozempic face” has also made its way into the media. This term refers to increased wrinkling and the appearance of more pronounced and gaunt-like facial features of those who lose weight through Ozempic. A common effect of weight loss itself is saggy skin, caused by the rate of skin elasticity. When people lose weight very quickly, the previously stretched skin has trouble returning to its original shape, resulting in loose skin, which causes people to have an aged look. The fast-acting nature of Ozempic increases the chance of this cosmetic problem being present in users. Therefore, to lose weight healthily, users must also change their overall diet, exercise habits, and lifestyle while using the drug.
The Ozempic Market
Though Ozempic has been on the market since 2017, its popularity has increased in recent years with the rise of social media trends and celebrity promotions regarding its use in weight loss. Public figures like Elon Musk and Oprah admitting their usage of the drug for this purpose only increased its off-label use. In 2021, when semaglutide was approved by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to treat people with obesity, Nova Nordisk launched Wegovy, a repackaged version of Ozempic, primarily for treating obesity. Though Wegovy is meant for people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or above, it is used by many people whose weight does not pose any health risks.
Following the demand increase, Ozempic and Wegovy sales surged and collectively came up to around $18.5 billion in 2023. The interest in Wegovy specifically for weight loss unavoidably caused a shortage, which led users to seek out Ozempic. This in turn contributed to the inevitable Ozempic shortage. Just recently in August 2024, Novo Nordisk revealed to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Ozempic Medicine Shortage Action Group (MSAG) that Ozempic would be in limited supply for the rest of 2024. This scarcity caused by the increased off-label use of the drug could deprive patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. Moreover, the popularity has caused a significant increase in falsified semaglutides, a trade that will only increase with the shortages. The false products could have detrimental effects on users, especially for those who truly need Ozempic to treat diabetes. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global warning in June 2024 regarding the dupes, drawing attention to the health risks that might arise from ineffective treatment, incorrect dosage, contamination, and use of unknown ingredients. After the notice, Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, said “WHO advises healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities, and the public to be aware of these falsified batches of medicines.”
Over the years, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has battled weight-loss advertisers for misleading and illegitimate claims. On April 30, 2024, the FTC expanded its campaign against false patent listings, challenging Ozempic. The FTC warned Novo Nordisk after they identified Ozempic as a weight loss drug even when it was only approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes. Additionally, on October 2, 2024, the FDA released a statement expressing their concern about unapproved GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, stressing that using such drugs for weight loss purposes could be risky. In the statement, the FDA also mentioned their awareness of illegally marketed counterfeit Ozempic and urged consumers to be careful while purchasing drugs.
The Popularity of Ozempic and the Circulation of Weight Loss Trends
The popularity of Ozempic did not originate from its necessary use as a diabetes treatment but rather from society’s obsession with weight loss trends. The remarkable weight loss, which should have been listed as a side effect during the drug’s marketing, was featured as a benefit along with lowering cardiovascular risk and regulating blood sugar. The misleading advertising, combined with the heightened popularity on social media and celebrity endorsements, unofficially branded Ozempic as a weight loss treatment.
Large firms have been marketing easy fixes for weight loss for decades. It is unavoidable for new products to get wrapped up in the trend cycle every few years. Previously, there were weight loss pills, bath powders, supplements, and specific diets. Ozempic is merely the newest agent being used to boost the weight loss services market, an industry valued at $19.34 billion globally in 2023 with an annual estimated growth rate of 8.32%. Therefore, the media attention and popularity being received by Ozempic is simply a reflection of its place in the trend cycle.
Edited by: Melisa Altıntaş, Oya Yamaç