Is Ozempic a weight loss drug? A treatment for PCOS? Is it for individuals living with “obesity” or Type 2 Diabetes? Is it safe? Should I try it?
Many outlets these days are buzzing about a new drug called Ozempic. There is a lot of misinformation circling about it, so we’re here to clear things up!
In this article, we will discuss:
- What is Ozempic?
- What does Ozempic do?
- Who should use Ozempic?
- Is Ozempic safe?
- Ozempic and the Eating Disorder Community
What is Ozempic and what does Ozempic do?
The basics
Ozempic is a drug designed to treat Type 2 Diabetes. It comes in a single-use injection pen that looks similar to an insulin pen. The Ozempic formula is injected from the pen under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm once a week.
What’s in it?
The formula contains a protein called Glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1.
What does GLP-1 do?
GLP-1 helps the pancreas release insulin, which individuals with Type 2 Diabetes have difficulty doing on their own. Insulin tells our body to absorb sugar in our blood. Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes have a hard time making insulin themselves, and their cells have a hard time taking up any insulin they do make; therefore, they tend to have higher levels of blood sugar. So, Ozempic helps individuals with Type 2 Diabetes manage their blood sugars by improving the uptake of sugar from the blood into the body’s tissues to be used for energy and metabolism.
What about the Ozempic weight loss we keep hearing about?
Ozempic does not cause permanent or drastic weight loss. GLP-1s may suppress appetite in some individuals, which is why Ozempic is often associated with weight loss. This weight loss is relatively minor and temporary, as once the individual stops using Ozempic and their appetite returns to normal, any weight lost will return. Due to the suppression of appetite and reduced intake of food, Ozempic may lead to disordered eating habits in some individuals.
Who should take Ozempic?
Despite the public’s many claims about the uses for Ozempic, it is only approved in Canada for individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. This means that if you do not have diabetes, you should not be taking Ozempic.
Is Ozempic safe?
Ozempic can help maintain normal blood sugar levels in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes; however, there are some risks and side effects associated with it.
Risks of Ozempic
Taking Ozempic may increase risk of:
- Thyroid cancer
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- GallstonesDiabetic retinopathy (an eye condition that can cause vision loss and blindness in individuals with diabetes)
- Female infertility
Ozempic side effects
- About 30% of individuals experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea while taking Ozempic.
Ozempic and eating disorders
A handful of public figures have credited Ozempic and similar drugs for their weight loss over the past couple of years. Their influence can lead some individuals to consider trying out the drug themselves to see if it works for them. Unless you are an individual with Type 2 Diabetes and your doctor has prescribed you Ozempic as treatment, you probably should not be taking Ozempic.
The way that medications like Ozempic are portrayed in the media and particularly social media can be challenging for us to navigate. These discussions surrounding weight loss drugs can lead to disordered eating by encouraging weight loss at any cost. When Ozempic is brought up in conversations, media outlets, and social media feeds, it is important to remind ourselves of our position. Disordered behaviour in pursuit of a different physique is just as it is described – disordered. We do not need to change ourselves for acceptance from others ourselves, and we likely do not need a weight loss drug.
The bottom line
If we are recovering from an eating disorder, Ozempic is probably not a drug we should be considering for weight loss. Remember, it is not a “quick fix” for weight loss (it is not even approved in Canada for weight loss!), it is a drug for individuals with Type 2 Diabetes, and that is all it should be used for.
If you or a loved one could benefit from repairing your relationship with food or your body, a further conversation with one of our clinicians may be helpful. You can book a free consultation call below.
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