Ozempic, originally developed for managing Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), has taken social media by storm for its slimming effects. With many clamoring to get the already scarce drug, its off-label use raises concerns about safety and accessibility.
Semaglutide is the generic name for drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy that mimic GLP-1, the hormone responsible for the feeling of fullness. These drugs treat T2D by promoting insulin secretion and decreasing blood sugar, but they also suppress appetite and can cause significant weight loss when coupled with diet and exercise.
In an exclusive written interview with The Benildean, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde physician Dr. Maria Christina Abalos shared her thoughts regarding the misleading information about the medicine. “The sad part is that some influencers or vloggers utilize [social media] to earn and gain viewership even to the point of presenting baseless facts and fake news,” she said.
This has driven many, even those who do not medically need it, to seek the drug. “Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss or chronic weight management,” she reminded.
While the only semaglutide brand intended for weight loss is Wegovy, American physicians have doubled their off-label prescriptions of semaglutide, or beyond their indicated use for T2D in just two years, according to healthcare analytics firm Trilliant Health.
Ozempic is currently prescribed off-label more than any other semaglutide for weight loss in the U.S. alone, clinical research company IQVIA found in their 2024 review of Ozempic prescriptions. Ozempic has been the only semaglutide with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in the Philippines since 2022.
“Like any other [medication], it also has contraindications and side effects that must be well explained by a health expert,” Dr. Abalos warned. Some common side effects of semaglutide injections include dizziness, fatigue, headaches, diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive problems while its long-term effects are still being studied.
First approved by the United States FDA in 2020, serious risks can occur even at low doses, including arthritic disorders, kidney stones, and inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis) or pancreas (pancreatitis), according to a January study in Nature Medicine by a team of Missouri-based researchers.
The drug retails locally for around ₱7,650.00 per one-milligram injectable pen, but pharmacies frequently experience extended stock-outs, forcing diabetic patients to endure long waits for the drug. This shortage has led the Philippine FDA to investigate local reports of unregulated online sales and has caught the attention of the World Health Organization for counterfeiting.
Off-label, on trend
Notably, Ozempic is not the first drug in the Philippines to be widely used off-label. Injectable glutathione, originally for reducing the side effects of chemotherapy, was also cosmetically repurposed for skin whitening. Similar to “gluta drips,” semaglutide is offered discreetly in aesthetic clinics, complicating access for those who need it most.
While its weight loss effects can be significant, it can also be short-lived. Those who took the drug regained two-thirds of their prior weight loss within a year of stopping in a 2022 semaglutide weight study funded by Ozempic manufacturer Novo Nordisk, emphasizing the need for long-term lifestyle changes.
The drug is not a silver bullet, Dra. Abalos reiterated. “You can regain those unwanted pounds back again once you stop the drug. If you are not diabetic, and you only need to use it to lose weight, think twice… consider [its] side effects… not to mention the price.”
While Ozempic’s weight loss effects are remarkable, its cost, accessibility, and risks pose questions on whether the benefits outweigh the possible dangers, especially for those using it solely off-label should not be ignored.
Before purchasing the drug, individuals must consider not only its harmful effects on one’s health but also how its off-label use makes it difficult for people with diabetes who rely on it for medication.
