TikTok weight loss trend fuels shortage of diabetes drug [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning about shortages of the type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic.
• The report comes after the diabetic medication has gone viral on TikTok for being effective in weight loss.
• Some people who are not diabetic are taking the drug off-label to lose weight including celebrities and influencers.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reporting shortages of Ozempic, an injectable FDA-approved medication that is taken on a weekly basis for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

It is used to manage blood sugar levels in adults and lower the risk of major cardiovascular events along with lifestyle improvements in diet and exercise.

Ozempic has gone viral on the social media platform TikTok because of its side effect — weight loss. Dramatic results have been posted online, triggering a rise in people who do not have type 2 diabetes seeking the medication off-label.

The FDA warned this has resulted in a shortage of the medication, causing serious problems for diabetic patients.

Ozempic helps regulate digestion and appetite as part of the treatment for type 2 diabetes, causing the consumer to feel full so that they eat less.

Semaglutide, the compound in Ozempic, can also be found in another prescription medication called Wegovy. The FDA approved Wegovy last year for chronic weight management in adults with obesity.

When new Twitter owner Elon Musk was recently asked about the secret to his fitter figure, the billionaire tweeted “fasting and Wegovy.”

“I would ask everybody to take this with a grain of salt,” says Dr. Sadaf Mustafa, an obesity specialist at MedStar Health. “This medication should be used after you have a proper discussion with your provider.”

Dr. Mustafa says off-label prescriptions — the unapproved use of an approved drug — have gone up. There is a global shortage of both Ozempic and Wegovy which is expected to continue until next year.

“Manufacturing went down,” Dr. Mustafa explains. “Usage went up, not only in diabetic population but also non-diabetic population. And also people with other metabolic problems, not diabetes.”

People can lose up to14 pounds with Ozempic while Wegovy can help shed 35 pounds, according to Dr. Mustafa. But she added, “This is not an easy fix. Obesity is a chronic disease.” That’s why she recommends lifestyle changes, diet and exercise. 

Both Ozempic and Wegovy are available by prescription only.

Source: Yahoo News