Content warning: This article mentions weight loss, unhealthy methods of weight loss, problematic drug use and dieting.
Bethany Brown
Celebrity beauty fads are constantly flooding our social media feeds. Veneers, buccal fat removal, and now the newest craze: Ozempic. From the dangerous to the peculiar, it seems every week we must ask ourselves: what is going on in Hollywood?
What Is Ozempic?
Initially, Ozempic was developed as a drug to treat type 2 diabetes. It artificially increases the levels of a hormone called incretin, which helps the body produce insulin. Incretin is usually released in the gastrointestinal tract in response to eating. The drug is taken with a pre-filled pen injection, administered in areas such as the stomach, upper arm, or thigh. Taking Ozempic can reduce the health problems caused by diabetes.
Some use Ozempic as an alternative to other diabetes medication, such as metformin. Unlike the latter, which is taken orally twice a day, Ozempic only needs to be injected once a week. It also works differently. Metformin reduces the amount of sugar released by the liver, as well as helping the body process insulin better.
Diabetics in need of more rigorous treatment can use Ozempic alongside metformin.
The Latest Weight Loss Hack?
There has been recent buzz surrounding Ozempic, which has taken Hollywood by storm. One of the side effects of taking the drug is appetite suppression, resulting in many adopting it as a diet aid.
A growing number of already-slim celebrities flaunted drastic weight loss transformations. Many of these public figures had a somewhat gaunt expression, which was soon coined “Ozempic face” online. A-listers including Sharon Osbourne, Amy Schumer, and even Elon Musk began discussing their experiences with Ozempic.
Osbourne, 71, has been transparent about her previous use of the drug. She said: “I lost three stone in four months. Too much. I now weigh seven stone and can’t put on weight.”
In August 2023, the TV personality admitted she battled intense nausea when starting the medication.
“For me, the first few weeks was f*****g s**t because you just throw up all the time. You feel so nauseous,” Osbourne said, “After a couple of weeks it goes.”
Osbourne’s struggles with her weight have been well-documented. She has undergone several invasive procedures to lose weight, including lap-band surgery and abdominoplasty (also known as a “tummy tuck”). She has also spoken openly about her struggles with bulimia.
Across The Pond: Ozempic Reaches the UK
The controversy reached UK headlines after Ozempic became available under a new name – Wegovy. It is available on the NHS as a method of weight loss management. Under current guidelines, Wegovy can be offered to patients that meet the following criteria:
- Have one or more weight-related comorbidity.
- A BMI of 35 or over.
- A BMI between 30 and 34.9 (if they meet criteria to be referred to specialist weight management services, such as conventional treatment being unsuccessful).
An estimated 28 per cent of adults in the UK are obese, which makes them eligible to be prescribed Wegovy. Patients are also recommended a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, in addition to taking the medication. Wegovy users can achieve up to a 15 per cent reduction in body weight after one year.
The Dangers Of ‘Diet Pills’
Currently, only specialist NHS weight management services can prescribe Wegovy. But public interest has led to the off-label circulation of Wegovy and counterfeit medications.
There have been reports of hospitalisations, due to the unregulated use of fraudulent ‘Ozempic’ injections. Mother-of-two Michelle Sword, 45, nearly lost her life after using one of these “pens”, which was revealed to contain insulin. Ms Sword reportedly received the medication via social media, noting that they were available “everywhere” on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.
“Ozempic isn’t the first drug to be abused by dieters, with the most infamous being phen-fen in the 1980s and 90s.”
Media outlets have emphasised the immense health benefits that Ozempic can have outside of weight loss, including reducing the risk of a stroke or heart attack and even treating opioid addiction. However, many have questioned the long-term side effects of the drug.
Ozempic isn’t the first drug to be abused by dieters. The most infamous is phen-fen in the 1980s and 90s. In 1997, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered phen-fen be removed from markets after a study showed it caused heart damage.
How Ozempic Changes Weight Loss
At its core, Ozempic is a major step for modern medicine. A drug that can tackle obesity, as well as its comorbidities, is a formidable development. Obesity is one of the biggest health problems currently facing the UK. Since 1993, the proportion of adults in England who are overweight or obese has risen from 53 to 64 per cent.
However, the ‘miraculous’ weight-loss transformations attributed to Ozempic are dangerous. There is a dangerous perception emerging that Ozempic is simply a cosmetic product, a “cheat” to losing a few pounds. This misinformation can contribute to people prioritising weight-loss over well-being.
Introducing Ozempic could worsen the prevalent problem of diet culture in the UK. In fact, the positive reaction to Ozempic is a testament to how engrained diet culture is in modern society. People who seek out the drug are actively looking to starve themselves. Not just that, they welcome the opportunity.
With eating disorders on the rise in the UK, the large number of people risking their health in exchange for thinness is a worrying development. Especially as there is a well-established link between diabetes and eating disorders, with many ‘diabulimics’ abusing their insulin to lose weight.
If you or someone you know is affected by the issues raised in this article, it’s important to seek support. Unhealthy methods of weight loss, as well as problematic drug use, can result in health problems and be fatal.
UK charity BEAT have helplines for eating disorders, including one-to-one web chat and email. You can speak to someone 3pm– 8pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at the following phone numbers:
- England: 0808 801 0677
- Scotland: 0808 801 0432
- Wales: 0808 801 0433
- Northern Ireland: 0808 801 0434
UK charity FRANK have helplines for drug users. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111, or frank@talktofrank.com. For honest information about drugs, seeking support, or helping someone you know, you can find more information here.
If you are in need of urgent help or medical advice, for yourself or someone else, please contact 999 or the Samaritans on 116 123 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
Featured image courtesy of Hennie Stander on Unsplash. No changes made to this image. Image license found here.
