The term ‘semaglutide’ may ring a bell for those unacquainted with Ozempic. A popular drug, usually administered via injection shots, has been all the rave in the celebrity world. It was as if our favorite stars were shrinking two to three times their original size almost overnight.
Numerous of them started vouching for Ozempic and speaking highly of the same. It was little surprise that the masses were greatly influenced by the semaglutide trend. Within three years, the sales for Ozempic quadrupled.
Gradually but surely, the other side of the drug was unmasked by some. This article will discuss the zenith of this trending drug along with some celebrity experiences.
A Massive Leap from Diabetes Mellitus to Weight Loss
Though all the rage recently, Ozempic has been around for a while now, a little over a decade and a half. The first clinical trials to test the drug began in 2008. It was to be administered once a week to treat Type II diabetes.
However, semaglutide received its Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval only in 2017. This was granted based on Phase 3a of the clinical trials. Given the time it took for Ozempic to enter the market, it may seem as if much attention would have been given to safety.
The interesting thing is that no FDA approval has been granted to date for weight loss. Gradually, some doctors took matters into their own hands, prescribing Ozempic to that end. Problems were inevitable, as TorHoerman shared side effects in the form of nausea, constipation, and other gastrointestinal injuries.
It turns out that Novo Nordisk, the drug’s manufacturer, was aware of such complications. Victims of the drug filed the Ozempic lawsuit to seek fair compensation for their injuries. Currently, over 100 users have come forward with similar claims.
Progressing steadily, the litigation is expected to reach its trials by late 2025. The jump from Type II diabetes to weight loss may have been a major one, but it certainly came at a heavy cost.
4 Luminary Figures Share Their Bittersweet Experiences
The Ozempic trend has received quite the hype among celebrities. Though tackling diabetes was the aim for some, others knew it could aid their weight loss journey. As for some others, they were wholly clueless about their usage for a while.
Similarly, the outcome has been both positive and negative due to the aforementioned side effects. Let’s look at four luminaries and their personal stories of semaglutide injection.
Chelsea Handler
This renowned TV host and stand-up comedian was not only unaware of her Ozempic consumption, but she had never even heard about the drug.
In a podcast called ‘Call Her Daddy,’ Handler revealed that her anti-aging physician recommends Ozempic to everybody. It was only after a few drug sessions that her friend exposed Ozempic for what it was.
Concerned, the actress immediately stopped the drug. Taking a strong stand against Ozempic, Chelsea was worried about those who blindly use it. In her own words, she is certain that “it will backfire,” leading to something bad.
Sharon Osborne
In Handler’s case, she almost had a premonition of sorts regarding the dubious drug. Sharon Osborne, the British author and music manager, experienced some of the infamous side effects. With or without semaglutide, Osborne has been transparent about her ongoing weight issues.
Her primary goal with semaglutide was to manage her weight. Nonetheless, the drug led to a drastic 42-pound weight loss. Osborne discontinued her sessions, stating that the outcome was far from what she had in mind.
Notwithstanding the unprecedented weight loss, semaglutide injections also caused other side effects like nausea, extreme thirst, and a loss of appetite. These usually surfaced two to three weeks into the drug sessions.
Remi Bader
This public figure is mostly popular across social media like TikTok as a body-positive influencer. Perhaps she suffered some terrible side effects from using Ozempic. Bader was originally pre-diabetic and started gaining weight around 2020.
Given Ozempic’s efficacy against both conditions, her doctor recommended semaglutide. Despite having mixed feelings, Bader agreed to move forward with the treatment. She recalls leaving the drug after a few sessions.
The reason she discontinued was to avoid being obsessed with long-term usage. Unfortunately, her drug abandonment led to twice the weight gain. Moreover, she always felt hungry, which turned into chronic binging. Bader concluded that the drug was only meant for those who needed it.
Claudia Oshry
This entertainer has always been frank with her three million Instagram followers. This included her obvious weight loss struggles. She casually revealed her use of semaglutide in August 2023.
Despite being a bit embarrassed initially, Oshry was determined to ace her weight loss endeavors. Her story was largely optimistic as she was able to lose substantial weight without any major side effects.
Even so, Oshry made it clear that she does not wish to offer any medical advice. After getting off of the drug, she did notice surprising changes like being overly hungry. In any case, she plans on keeping the extra weight off using personal efforts instead of Ozempic.
From what we discussed, it is clear that semaglutide has become an easy way out in terms of weight management. In the closing months of 2022 itself, healthcare providers had written around nine million prescriptions for this drug. Its demand continues to skyrocket as common people have also started using it.
The word of caution here is to remember that the easy way is often the wrong one. The best strategy to lose weight is undoubtedly not Ozempic, especially since binging gets generally worse after stopping drug use. Eating healthier and regular exercise should help achieve a healthy weight even if the process takes longer.
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