In recent years, Ozempic and Wegovy have become popular drugs for treating obesity and Type 2 diabetes. These drugs work by mimicking a hormone produced in the gut called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when a person is full, leading to a decrease in appetite and weight loss. However, recent studies have shown that once patients stop using these drugs, they may experience weight regain, with some individuals even gaining more weight than they lost.
Understanding the Problem of Weight Regain
Despite their effectiveness in promoting weight loss, these drugs are not a lifelong solution. Available data suggests most individuals will regain most of their weight within five years of stopping Wegovy, and roughly 50% of their weight after two to three years. Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, still needs to conduct more investigations and clinical trials to understand what drives those rates of weight gain.
Studies have similarly shown weight rebound in people who stop taking Ozempic. The drugs do not rewire “your neural networks to really define a new bodyweight setpoint.” So any weight loss may not be permanent. In fact, some individuals may actually gain more weight after stopping the drug than they initially lost.
The Risks of Ozempic as a Weight-Loss Drug
Ozempic was designed as a long-term treatment for controlling blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. However, it has now gained popularity as a weight-loss drug. Ozempic helps people lose weight by replicating GLP-1 hormone that makes people feel full and reduces their blood sugar levels.
But using Ozempic as an off-label drug for weight loss has significant risks mainly due to its severe side effects such as vomiting and severe diarrhea if taken in large amounts. Clinical trials show that once users stop using the drug, the weight comes back on, and their health may be affected. Besides, the drug has not been tested in large groups of people who do not have obesity or Type 2 diabetes.
The Effectiveness of Anti-obesity Medications and the Need for Chronic Therapy
Anti-obesity medications have shown to be effective in treating obesity or type 2 diabetes. However, adverse effects, primarily gastrointestinal, can limit treatment continuation. Furthermore, medications may be cost-prohibitive, leading to changes in insurance coverage or drug availability. Limited insurance coverage has led to significant off-label prescribing and supply shortages.
Stopping medication generally leads to weight regain and recurrence of weight-related complications. Chronic therapy is needed for weight maintenance since metabolic adaptation and neurohormonal changes occur after weight loss. Successful treatment of obesity should include a personalized, patient-centered approach that may require a combination of therapies.
The Influence of Social Media and Celebrities
Social media has become a significant influence on how people view body image, health, and weight loss. Stories about celebrities who have lost weight with incretin medications further exacerbate cultural attitudes about body size.
The popular belief that Ozempic is a miracle drug that can make people skinny overnight has led to concerns regarding the exacerbation of biases about fatness and thinness. Celebrities such as the Kardashians are rumored to be using Ozempic often without medical supervision which poses significant health risks.
In conclusion, although Ozempic and Wegovy can help patients lose weight by reducing appetite and food cravings, they do not offer an everlasting solution. Weight regain post-drug usage is prevalent, making chronic therapy necessary for maintenance of results obtained initially. Additionally, these drugs’ effectiveness comes with considerable side effects which require expert medical supervision before consumption.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
