Operating by mimicking the actions of GLP-1, a pivotal gut hormone governing insulin regulation and satiety, while also intricately slowing down digestion, Ozempic leaves individuals feeling satiated more swiftly and boasting the added benefit of shedding excess weight along the way. 

Between 2020 and the close of 2022, prescriptions for the drug and similar medications quadrupled, as numerous providers began prescribing them for "off-label" purposes, extending beyond their approved usage. In the last quarter of 2022 alone, healthcare practitioners issued over 9 million prescriptions for these diabetes drugs. You get the gist!

During this time, Wegovy—Novo Nordisk's Ozempic for a “different use”—received the greenlight by the FDA for chronic weight management, resulting in a weight-loss potion for the mainstream quest against overweight and obesity. Since roughly 31% of the U.S. population is overweight and nearly 43% are obese, Wegovy has found itself a lucrative market. But here's the catch: the FDA demands that its clientele carry at least one weight-related affliction, be it high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.

Doctors seem all too eager to prescribe these wonder drugs for weight loss, flouting the designated usage guidelines and handing them out like candy.

Yes, the same company that makes Ozempic also makes Wegovy and as a result, they are now a $400 billion company. Doctors seem all too eager to prescribe these wonder drugs for weight loss, flouting the designated usage guidelines and handing them out like candy to anyone with a desire to shed a few pounds, regardless of their medical profile. Consequently, there is now a shortage of semaglutide drugs, forcing clinicians to look to alternatives when managing patients who actually need the medication.

As a nutrition professional, I've developed a penchant for observing rather than immediately jumping on the bandwagon whenever a new weight loss trend emerges. Whether it's the latest fad of chugging celery juice or the introduction of injectables, I approach each with a healthy dose of skepticism, considering the scientific evidence (or lack thereof), as well as weighing the potential benefits and drawbacks.

Until 2023, I maintained a rather distant relationship with these supposed weight loss miracles. However, my perspective shifted when I began to encounter numerous women who, while not suffering from any weight-related health issues, were shelling out exorbitant amounts of money for monthly doses of these serums. Some of them were neglecting the fundamental principles of diet and exercise, while others seemed to be teetering dangerously close to the edge of anorexia.

Weight is driven by many factors including genetics, learned behaviors, trauma, socioeconomics, access, education and in some cases, choice. 

This got me thinking (and digging). I have never had real weight issues but I have struggled with my weight and body image as a symptom of early childhood trauma. As a recovered anorexic and bulimic, saying that a person’s relationship to food can be complex is an understatement. Weight is driven by many factors including genetics, learned behaviors, trauma, socioeconomics, access, education and in some cases, choice. When deciding to take this medication, or any medication for that matter, seeking the guidance of a highly qualified medical professional is imperative and they must: 

1. Know your full medical history, physical and mental

2. Alert you of all potential side effects

3. Carefully review the risk benefit analysis with you

4. Establish a diet and exercise regimen with you or refer you to someone who can

5. Offer a regular schedule of follow-up visits or supports

As with all drugs, there are side effects and these potions are no different. Users frequently experience nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, indigestion, dizziness, bloating and gas. What’s more, apparently newer research shows that nondiabetic users of Ozempic and Wegovy (and similar weight loss drugs) have an increased risk of pancreatitis, bowel obstruction and stomach paralysis. Plus, have you noticed that many on these drugs look as though they’ve aged exponentially? As it turns out, the loss of facial fat can leave the face sagging and looking older.

When navigating weight loss, please work closely with a qualified medical professional as well as a registered dietitian nutritionist. Let them help you determine your healthiest path forward. So panacea or poison? That’s for you to decide, but make sure that you are opting in for the right reasons and with the proper support.