IS OZEMPIC REALLY YOUR TOP AESTHETIC PICK?
15th Oct 2024
THE ALARMING POPULARITY OF A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BEING USED FOR RECREATIONAL OR AESTHETIC USE AND NOT AS PRESCRIBED, OR WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION.
Words by Richard Bate
It seems hardly a day goes by without another article or celebrity espousing the benefits of Ozempic. There is a significant buzz around the topic. Simply typing the name into the internet brings a myriad of purchasing options around £150, as “weight loss injections.” There is nothing to ensure that an original, medically authorised product is being provided from any of these purchases, bringing clear danger and risk of harm.
Ozempic has developed a cult following with claims of easy, dramatic, weight loss amongst other things. As ever, many in society are keen to jump onto the celebrity bandwagon for the next big thing.
The dangers do not seem to be considered, and nor does the source of the on-line purchasing, or the genuine nature of the product being purchased. The clamour to follow the celebrities and have effortless weight loss seems to outweigh safety concerns in these image conscious times.
The question is whether you should risk your health for a fashionable fad? Remember, Ozempic is administered by way of a pen-like device with a needle, and ‘injected’ into the body.
Even properly prescribed by an appropriately qualified medical practitioner, pharmaceutical drugs have dangerous side effects that the manufacturers are legally obliged to warn potential users about in their information leaflets.
What is Ozempic then?
Properly prescribed, Ozempic is used for Type 2 diabetes patients and those classified as morbidly obese on the BMI scale and in danger of suffering even worse health conditions or death because of the obesity.
Ozempic is a pharmaceutical medication, in the semaglutide family. It is described by Diabetes UK. “Ozempic increases the level of incretins – hormones – which are naturally produced by the stomach when you eat. It works by helping your body to produce more insulin when needed. It also reduces the amount of glucose, or sugar, produced by the liver, and slows down how quickly food is digested.”
In other words, it is a hormone-based medication activated by eating and digestion, that targets the brain and affects your feelings of satiety. Technically, it aids the body to produce glucagonlike peptide 1 (GLP-1), which stimulates insulin production.
Studies are even showing that Ozempic can be useful in reducing the risk of kidney and cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies have suggested that GLP-1 medications could help treat liver diseases and neurological disorders. The claim is that they may reduce inflammation that causes many chronic illnesses.
As a result, the drug has become popular with celebrities and their followers for weight loss recreationally, when not suffering with diabetes, and likely for many, not suffering health issues that would warrant the medication being properly prescribed by their GP or Consultant.
Common, Known, Published Side Effects of Ozempic.
The most common side effects of Ozempic, taken from the leaflet itself, may include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach (abdominal) pain, and constipation.
Users are warned further that the product should not be used without specifically having taken professional medical advice, for people who have or have had problems with the pancreas or kidneys, have a history of diabetic retinopathy, and are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. It is recommended that even people properly prescribed Ozempic must stop taking the medication at least 2 months before planning to become pregnant.
Ozempic may cause serious side effects according to the manufacturers leaflet, including: inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Users are warned to stop using the product and seek medical advice immediately if severe pain is suffered in the stomach area that will not go away, with or without vomiting.
Patients are warned to check for changes in vision and immediately seek medical attention and inform medical practitioners of any changes in vision during treatment with Ozempic.
Even properly prescribed medications can interact badly with other medications you may be taking. Curiously for a diabetes medication, your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Ozempic with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin.
People suffering from the side effects, including low blood sugar may suffer from and experience dizziness or light-headedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, and feeling jittery.
People properly prescribed the medication for diabetes management are given dietary advice to assist the product work, and to avoid side effects from being worse or occurring. For example, simply taking the medication and carrying on with your normal diet including sugar, even from fresh or dried fruit, will increase the risk of stomach pain, nausea and vomiting.
Further, if you take the medication for reasons of weight loss and simply stop taking the product, your blood sugar levels are known to be affected. Any appetite suppression you previously had would end, and any weight lost is likely to return accordingly.
By way of final warning, Diabetes UK confirmed in late June of 2024 that there were supply chain issues and low levels of stock, which would likely run into 2025. This means that anybody seeking the drug on the internet from unverified sources is perhaps, at more danger of an artificial, unlicensed product.
Summary.
The list of side effects and potential harms for a properly prescribed, UK Regulated medication is something that needs to be considered and respected when taking any medication, which should always be undertaken in conjunction with your GP or treating Consultant, and it is not recommended to purchase drugs from the internet, with no guarantee of an original product being received, and no consultation with a suitably qualified medical expert.
Remember, should you suffer any significant reactions and require emergency medical attention, the treating medical experts will only have access to properly prescribed medications on your medical records. They will not know of recreationally taken prescription drugs, and may not consider any contra-indications to the same in any emergency treatment as a result.
Ozempic is considered safe when taken under medical supervision and prescription, from a recognised medical practitioner, for appropriate diabetic concerns and treatment.
However, the question readers considering buying the product on a desire for simple weight loss are asked to pose of themselves is simple. Is it worth risking your life, or long-term and serious side-effects or conditions, for seeking an easy weight loss option, by purchasing unknown quantities from the internet based upon a current trend?
Here at McHale and Co Solicitors, we have represented, and continue to represent clients who have been injured and harmed when taking the medication under supervision by a medical practitioner, including with respect to overdose of the product causing loss of consciousness.
It is recommended that anyone seeking to lose weight seek appropriate medical attention from their GP or Consultant prior to undertaking the risky practice of following a trend and purchasing unknown products on the internet with a view to simple weight loss.
The prevalence of counterfeit products and similar type items has led to medical drug licensing bodies around the world clamping down on the use and regulation of Ozempic and similar products.
If you or anyone you know is interested in the contents of this article, or have been affected by use of the medication, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will happily assist.
