Diabetic Drug Ozempic Faces High Demand Amid Weight Loss Potential

Diabetic Drug Ozempic Faces High Demand Amid Weight Loss Potential

Critical State of Drug Availability

The Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AFMPS) has recently issued a statement calling on health professionals to prioritize the prescribing and dispensing of the drug Ozempic to diabetic patients. This is due to the drug’s “limited” availability following an acute increase in demand, a situation that is expected to persist until the beginning of 2024.

Medication Profile: Ozempic

Ozempic is a flagship product of the Danish pharmaceutical group Novo Nordisk. The drug is primarily intended for the treatment of diabetes, however, it has gained widespread recognition for its hunger-suppressing effect. A four-year-long Select study conducted on a sample of 17,000 people revealed that weekly injections of this drug can result in weight loss of up to 15%.

Role of Semaglutide in Ozempic

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It mimics the GLP-1 hormone that is released in the gastrointestinal tract in response to eating. One role of GLP-1 is to prompt the body to produce more insulin, which reduces blood glucose levels. In higher amounts, GLP-1 also interacts with the parts of the brain that reduce appetite and signal a feeling of fullness.

Popularity of Ozempic on Social Media

The popularity of Ozempic increased exponentially on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where users began promoting it as a weight loss treatment. The hashtag #ozempic has garnered a staggering 74 million views, with users documenting their weight loss journeys. This unexpected surge in demand, combined with the drug’s off-label use for obesity management, has resulted in supply shortages that are significantly affecting diabetic patients who rely on Ozempic for its approved use.

Concerns Over Compounded Semaglutide

In response to the drug shortage, compounders may prepare a compounded version of the drug, a process that involves combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to tailor a medication to the needs of an individual patient. However, this has raised concerns, as the FDA has received adverse event reports from patients using compounded semaglutide. Importantly, the agency does not review compounded versions of these drugs for safety, effectiveness, or quality. Therefore, patients and health care professionals should exercise caution when considering compounded drugs.

Impact of Shortages on Diabetic Patients

The supply shortages of Ozempic are causing significant distress to diabetic patients. In some cases, patients have had to switch to other medications, which may not be as effective, resulting in fluctuating blood sugar levels. The drug’s unavailability has also forced some patients to take a lower dose than prescribed or switch to another medication altogether. This has raised concerns among health professionals, as this could potentially lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, hearing loss, and stroke.

Final Remarks

While the popularity of Ozempic as a weight loss drug continues to soar, it is critical to remember its primary purpose: to help those with diabetes manage their condition. Health professionals and patients alike must exercise caution, and the drug should only be obtained from licensed pharmacies or outsourcing facilities registered with the FDA. Moreover, it is essential to prioritize the needs of diabetic patients and ensure that they continue to have access to this vital medication.