Examining the Potential Side Effects of Ozempic for Weight Loss
In recent months, medications intended for type 2 diabetes and clinical obesity, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, have become increasingly popular on social media as drugs for quick weight loss.[0] Despite the widespread use of these drugs, there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the safety and effectiveness of them.
In 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave their approval of Ozempic as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes when in conjunction with diet and exercise if other medications fail to adequately regulate blood sugar levels.[1] Although Ozempic has not been officially approved for long-term weight control, it can be prescribed for off-label use and used safely by those who are overweight.[2]
Approximately one-third of individuals who utilize Ozempic for weight reduction have been shown to experience a loss of ten percent or more of their body weight.[3] However, the drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, warns against off-label use, as the drug may become less effective over time, leading to some weight regain.[4]
Patients may also experience a side effect known as “Ozempic face,” which Frank, a New York City-based dermatologist, coined.[5] Patients who have experienced a major weight loss may notice changes in their facial appearance, known as “Ozempic face”. This includes a loss of facial fat, which can cause the face to appear sagging or aged.[6] It’s especially common in middle-aged and older patients.[7]
“Fat in the face helps us maintain a naturally youthful appearance,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.[8] “When you lose facial fat, the face often appears gaunt and skeletonized. Especially in people who lose large amounts of weight, the face can appear significantly older.”[3]
In the end, it is important to remember that Ozempic and other similar drugs should be used only with the approval of a medical professional. While these drugs are effective, it is still important to consider the possible side effects, including Ozempic face.[6]
0. “”Ozempic Face”: The Latest Side Effect From Taking Weight Loss DrugsHelloGiggles” HelloGiggles, 25 Jan. 2023, https://hellogiggles.com/ozempic-face-strange-side-effect
1. “What Is Ozempic Face? Woman Who Lost 68 Pounds on Diabetes Medication Says Her Face Felt Like It ‘Was Melting'” Inside Edition, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.insideedition.com/what-is-ozempic-face-woman-who-lost-68-pounds-on-diabetes-medication-says-her-face-felt-like-it-was
2. “What it’s like to take Ozempic and Wegovy, from severe side effects to 50-pound losses” AOL, 29 Jan. 2023, https://www.aol.com/news/ozempic-wegovy-severe-side-effects-120000994.html
3. “Doctors warn about ‘Ozempic face’ side effect of medications” The Independent, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/ozempic-face-before-and-after-photos-weight-loss-b2270262.html
4. “Here’s What Actually Happens When You Stop Taking Ozempic” Yahoo Life, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/heres-actually-happens-stop-taking-230000970.html
5. “What Is Ozempic Face? Some Using Diabetes Drug for Weight Loss Report This Side Effect” NBC New York, 26 Jan. 2023, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/health/what-is-ozempic-face-some-using-diabetes-drug-for-weight-loss-report-this-side-effect/4069059/
6. “What to Know About ‘Ozempic Face'” Healthline, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ozempic-face-what-is-it-and-what-can-you-do-about-it
7. “Woman details experiencing ‘Ozempic face’ after losing 68 pounds on the drug” Yahoo! Voices, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/now/woman-details-experiencing-ozempic-face-172411069.html
8. “What Is ‘Ozempic Face,’ the Side Effect Everyone Is Talking About?” Yahoo News, 26 Jan. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/ozempic-face-side-effect-everyone-174800669.html
