Ozempic for Weight-Loss: When the Lines Between Health and Beauty Blur.

If you’ve recently scrolled on TikTok, Instagram, or any social media platform, you may well have heard of Ozempic, a ‘miracle pill’ of sorts that seems to have taken the internet by storm. Whilst initially developed as a treatment for diabetes and metabolic disease, Ozempic is more commonly associated with its ability to promote weight loss. With celebrities allegedly using the drug to shed pounds, the question remains: Is this ethical?

To better understand Ozempic, it is important to address some of the history behind its development. For nearly a century, Insulin was considered the first-line treatment for diabetes. However, diabetes—particularly type 2, along with other associated diseases such as metabolic disorder and obesity—can often be prevented or managed by addressing lifestyle factors like poor diet and lack of exercise. Then, along came the quite revolutionary Ozempic. 

Developed by Novo Nordisk in 2017, Ozempic was formulated to help people with Type 2 Diabetes manage their blood sugar by encouraging healthy life-style habits. Acting as an agonist of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), Ozempic stimulates insulin production, slows digestion, and reduces appetite. However, an interesting side effect appeared during clinical trials –with the trial patients experiencing considerable weight loss. For pre-diabetics, this was a game-changer, as weight loss can significantly improve insulin sensitivity (Catanese, 2024).

The widespread effects of GLP-agonists. 

Despite the original intention for Ozempic, its functions quickly extended beyond the medical community. From Oprah Winfrey to Amy Schumer, Reports of celebrities and influencers using the drug for weight loss have flooded social media.

Whilst obesity is a legitimate health concern, issues have arised with the drug being used solely for weight loss, and find celebrities’ promoting it problematic for several reasons.

Creates false beauty standards and unrealistic standards for pharmaceuticals. 

The use of unnatural beauty enhancing methods has always been controversial. Most notably, cosmetic surgeries and extreme photo editing have faced severe criticism for affecting the way vulnerable young audiences perceive beauty. In the case of Ozempic, influencers may be normalising drastic weight-loss without extending the same transparency to the potential health threats of the medication. This brings us to our next point.

Harmful side effects are left unaddressed.

Among others, common side effects of Ozempic include disruption to sleep and worsening of mental health, which are often forgotten or overshadowed by its more popular effects (Arillotta, 2023). GLP-1 agonists, in addition to the digestive system and pancreas, can affect specific cells in the brain's hypothalamus known as Orexin neurons, which are responsible for regulating hunger, satiety, metabolism, and sleep. They exist in limited concentrations and have a low capacity for regeneration in a healthy brain. A deficiency in Orexin can lead to conditions like narcolepsy, causing sleepiness, sleep attacks, hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. While some people with narcolepsy have higher levels of GLP-1 in their bloodstream, they lack the brain cells for it to act on, making them insensitive to its effects. Recent studies have also linked elevated Orexin A levels to anxiety. GLP-1 agonists increase Orexin production, and this overstimulation can contribute to anxiety. Additionally, both overactive and underactive Orexin signalling have been associated with depression. In summary, Ozempic can lead to excess Orexin A production, potentially triggering anxiety, and its effects on Orexin pathways may influence mood disorders. 

Increasing demand and high prices makes Ozempic less accessible to those that need it.

The spike in demand of Ozempic as a result of its weight-dropping capabilities has seen prices hike proportionally.  For many, the cost of this drug is simply too high, falling around $200-$300 for a month’s supply in Canada (Cover Health, 2024). This leaves millions of people who may benefit from its legitimate use—like those struggling with diabetes—unable to afford it. Furthermore, the sudden surge in demand has also contributed to shortages, making it even harder for individuals with diabetes, the primary intended users, to get their medication. Advertising Ozempic for weight loss only exacerbates this problem, as it prioritises cosmetic use over the genuine medical needs of people managing a chronic illness. By promoting Ozempic as a quick fix for weight, pharmaceutical companies and influencers are neglecting those who rely on it to survive and manage their health.

Ultimately, most agree that the attitude around Ozempic needs to shift. We must focus on the ethical responsibilities of both pharmaceutical companies and the influencers promoting it, ensuring that its primary use focuses on medical health, not aesthetic goals. Let’s prioritise responsible promotion of pharmaceuticals!

Sources:

Arillotta, D., Floresta, G., Guirguis, A., Corkery, J. M., Catalani, V., Martinotti, G., Sensi, S. L., & Schifano, F. (2023, October 24). GLP-1 receptor agonists and related mental health issues; insights from a range of social media platforms using a mixed-methods approach. Brain sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10669484/

Lisa Catanese, E. (2024, February 5). GLP-1 diabetes and weight-loss drug side effects:. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/glp-1-diabetes-and-weight-loss-drug-side-effects-ozempic-face-and-more

By Angela Cai (she/her/hers) l Blog Committee Member