I was casually listening to music on Spotify and abruptly got interrupted by an ad about using Ozempic. I then clicked the “doesn’t apply to me” button at the bottom of the app. I brushed it off thinking that there was no way a weight loss drug could actually make someone lose weight without inducing side effects. I completely forgot about it until a couple weeks later when I got another advertisement about it on Youtube. I thought that it was weird that there was so much marketing about it and wondered how popular it truly was. But again I cast that thought aside and continued to watch my video. What shocked me was when I was reading about current medical topics on Google news—two out of the five snapshot articles were about Ozempic. I was now completely curious to connect all the dots: what is Ozempic, what is its efficacy, and why is it so popular?
Weight loss drugs are medications used for more than 12 weeks designed to help people lose weight by altering appetite, metabolism, or how the body processes fat. In other words, such drugs can “[r]estore feelings of fullness in these patients,” which limits overconsumption. Weight loss drugs (originally approved in 2017) are prescription medicines unlike the typical over the counter drugs like tylenol and ibuprofen. Their popularity is undeniable according to the Washington Post, “[a]bout one in eight U.S. adults said they had tried or are using GLP-1 medications according to a May poll by KFF, a nonpartisan health-care research organization.” GLP-1 medications (also known as glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists) are a class of drugs that help treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. They work by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which regulates blood sugar, appetite, and digestion. This works by making people feel fuller and minimizing the cravings. They are typically prescribed to individuals with obesity or weight-related health conditions, primarily Type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure, for which diet and exercise alone aren’t as effective.
Recently, their usage soared in popularity due to the remarkable success of drugs like semaglutide (sold as Ozempic and Wegovy) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), which have demonstrated significant weight loss in clinical trials–often 15-20% of a person’s body mass occurring to Mayo Clinic. Social media and celebrity endorsements from people like Elon Musk, Jermy Clarkson, and Chelsea Handler have amplified their visibility. This surge also reflects a cultural shift in viewing obesity as a medical condition rather than a personal choice, making pharmaceutical interventions more socially acceptable. Additionally, these drugs claim to offer broader health benefits beyond weight loss, such as improved blood sugar control, reduced risk of heart disease, and lower blood pressure, further driving interest. While the high cost of roughly $1000 a month, the sketchy insurance coverage, and lack of accessibility remain barriers for some, the combination of scientific innovation and changing attitudes have made weight loss medications a hot topic in health and wellness.
Despite their promise, these drugs are not without consequences. They have been linked to a range of potential side effects, including gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and acid reflux, as well as headaches and, in rare cases, pancreatitis. One particularly concerning side effect is the risk of delayed stomach emptying, or gastroparesis, which could have long-term implications for the body’s hormonal signaling pathways. Additionally, early research suggests a possible increase in the risk of arthritis, though more studies are needed to fully understand these risks.
As demand for weight loss drugs continues to grow, the question of whether they are a net positive remains a subject of debate. While they provide groundbreaking solutions for many, their high costs, potential side effects, and the risk of regaining weight after discontinuation make them far from perfect. Ultimately, the decision to use these medications is deeply personal and depends on weighing their benefits and risks. The choice is yours to make.
