Examining Off-Label Prescribing of Ozempic for Weight-Loss
While Ozempic has shown promising results in clinical trials for weight loss, there are several potential risks and concerns associated with its use and there is a lack of adequate long-term safety data on its use specifically for weight Loss.
Abstract
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and more recently has been utilized in the management of chronic weight management in some patients. It belongs to a broader class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists which help to lower the blood sugar levels of individuals with type 2 diabetes. There has been growing recent interest, especially on social media platforms such as Tik Tok, about the use of Ozempic for weight loss. While Ozempic has shown promising results in clinical trials for weight loss, there are several potential risks and concerns associated with its use. There is a lack of adequate long-term safety data on its use specifically for weight loss. Growing concerns around Ozempic include its potential misuse without proper medical supervision or its prescription off-label for weight loss leading to prescription shortages. Both of these are pressing concerns surrounding the use of this medication without medical need and ultimately resulting in risky and unnecessary medical interventions. Further study is needed in order to assess and communicate the long-term effects of Ozempic for weight loss, and health policy changes to ensure safe access.