+18 votes
in General Factchecking by Genius (41.9k points)
by Apprentice (1.6k points)
+1
The claim that Ozempic is safe for weight loss requires careful examination, especially because the term "safe" may be objective...  To begin, Ozempic, is a medication most commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes. It has been associated with weight loss, but long-term effects remain unclear. According to clinical research there is limited data on the extended use of Ozempic for weight management, making it challenging to assess its safety in the long run. Ozempic demonstrates promise for weight loss, but the lack of conclusive long-term data and the subjective nature of safety warrant caution and adherence to medical guidance- especially when not advised by a medical professional. It is notable that medication should be assessed on the basis of need, because of the complexity as well.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326252
https://vial.com/blog/articles/what-clinical-research-says-about-the-long-term-safety-of-ozempic/?https://vial.com/blog/articles/what-clinical-research-says-about-the-long-term-safety-of-ozempic/?utm_source=organic
by Novice (640 points)
This claim is misleading because Ozempic is not safe for everyone. As with any medication, careful examination of each person's medical needs and health background is required. Posting claims such as these online is harmful to audiences because some people have an inclination to believe things without fact-checking.
by Novice (550 points)
+1
The fact that ozempic is "safe" generally is misleading, for everyone's anatomy and health vary and you'd have to be prescribed by a professional to use ozempic for the intent purpose of losing weight. The site Baptist Health (https://www.baptisthealth.com/blog/health-and-wellness/risks-of-taking-ozempic-for-weight-loss)  - which has been reporting on health trends, facts, and issues for 100 years - discusses how there are risks when using ozempic for weight loss and how the use of it varies among the population based on your anatomy.
by Newbie (430 points)
This claim is a bit misleading. saying that Ozempic is safe for everyone just is not accurate, and should not be continued. Ozempic is meant for diabetic individuals to help balance out their blood sugar and help maintain their weight and eating styles. Using it for weight loss could have negative long term affects
by Novice (690 points)
This is misleading. The laws of thermodynamics says that that weight loss is the result of eating at a calorie deficit. Can Ozempic help with obesity issues? Probably, from the results I have seen on social media and television, there does seem to be a correlation between this drug and weight loss, but that it just a correlation.

20 Answers

0 votes
by Apprentice (1.2k points)

Ozempic is not safe for weight loss. Ozempic was originally approved by the FDA for adults with diabetes source because it was made to lower blood sugar. It can help with weight loss. But that doesn't mean it's safe to use it for that purpose. Ozempic helps with appetite suppression and allows the stomach to hold food for longer, making you feel full source. However, Ozempic does not boost your metabolism. 

Can't be true or false (Opinion, poem, etc.)
by Novice (680 points)
This was a great fact check, I think that a big part of the whole "weight loss" idea has to do with the celebrities and the media sharing how the drug is now being used in a cosmetic manner, so to speak.
0 votes
by Apprentice (1.2k points)
The claim states that Ozempic, a drug to help people with diabetes control their blood sugar, can provide a path to weight loss safely.  Ozempic has a drug called semaglutide which is proved to induce weight loss, but since Ozempic only has a small does, it might not be effective according to UC Davis Health.  The study by UC Davis also says that since Ozempic has such a small dose, people who will take it often for weight loss might get used to it and your body will receive it as the new normal.  It should also be noted that the FDA warns people that taking a generic Ozempic can be dangerous and not advised.  UC Davis health also stated that in July, 2023, there has been an reported shortage of Ozempic, which has caused issues for patients with type-2 diabetes that need Ozempic.  The claim that Ozempic is safe for weight loss is true, but there are counterfeit or generic types of Ozempic which can be dangerous.  

UC Davis Health: https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/ozempic-for-weight-loss-does-it-work-and-what-do-experts-recommend/2023/07
Can't be true or false (Opinion, poem, etc.)
by Novice (630 points)
I also touched on the active drug that is in Ozempic, semaglutide. This is great factual information you have given to back up your claim.
0 votes
by Novice (750 points)
Ozempic is not approved for weight loss. Ozempic, generically known as Semaglutide was approved by the FDA in 2017 for use in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is not a safe drug to use for recreational weight loss. There has been a recent trend of people using the drug for weight loss as weight loss is a side effect of using the drug although it is not safe to take when not needed. Experts recommend that only people who use Ozempic, use it for medical reasons: type 2 diabetes.

https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/ozempic-for-weight-loss-does-it-work-and-what-do-experts-recommend/2023/07#:~:text=Ozempic%20is%20not%20approved%20for,it%2C%20establishing%20a%20new%20normal.

https://www.baptisthealth.com/blog/health-and-wellness/risks-of-taking-ozempic-for-weight-loss
by Novice (680 points)
I think this topic is very interesting because surprisingly, many doctors and medical professionals are handing out Ozempic and Wegovy, without batting an eye, and I personallu know people who are taking the drug, solely for weight loss. I am curious to see how it may possibly effect the future, or these patients farther down the line? Are there long term negative side effects?
0 votes
by Novice (540 points)
Yes, Ozempic is safe for type 2 diabetes but it is not officially approved for weight loss. Ozempic is also known as a semaglutide, a prescription drug for type 2 diabetes. It may promote weight loss but using it solely for weight loss is not recommended as it may prevent patients who require the medication for blood sugar management from getting it and can lead to serious health risks. Additionally, the drug hasn't been studied in broader populations, so there may be other possible side effects that have not been documented. If you are considering weight loss treatment it is best to talk to your doctor about approved medications and other options.

https://www.baptisthealth.com/blog/health-and-wellness/risks-of-taking-ozempic-for-weight-loss

https://www.forbes.com/health/weight-loss/ozempic-for-weight-loss/

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ozempic-for-weight-loss-experts-answer-common-questions
Exaggerated/ Misleading
0 votes
by Apprentice (1.1k points)

Ozempic, a medication originally approved for managing type 2 diabetes, has  recently been widely discussed for its weight loss benefits. Research and clinical trials have shown that Ozempic can be effective for reducing weight, especially in people with obesity, when used alongside lifestyle changes and exercise. Higher doses of Ozempic (2.4 milligrams of semaglutide) have been particularly effective, with people losing about 15% of their body weight on average in some studies. This significant reduction can lead to improvements in insulin resistance, normalization of blood sugar levels, and a decrease in risk factors for various obesity-related health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, Drugwatch)  The FDA  however does not approve of using Ozempic for weight loss if the patient does not have diabetes, instead they recommend other medication with similar properties. 

This claim is partially right. Ozempic can be safe for weight loss but shouldn't be used by anyone that isn't struggling with diabetes. 

Can't be true or false (Opinion, poem, etc.)
0 votes
by Novice (630 points)

The claim was made "Ozempic is safe for weight loss" with two sources given that give background information on the drug Ozempic. Ozempic is a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, the active drug in Ozempic that helps weight loss is called semaglutide. This is because semaglutide reduces hunger by mimics a "glucagon-like peptide 1 hormone from your lower gastrointestinal tract."  The reason it is used for type 2 diabetes is because it controls and lower your blood sugar. Many studies have been done to indicate that ozempic leads to weight loss, however if used in the wrong way it can be unhealthy. I think the original claim is to broad and vague to truly say if that is correct or not.  According to Baptist Health the large issue with people taking ozempic that dont have diabetes is the "Increased demand for the drug is creating shortages that adversely affect patients who need it." Overall I believe the claim is to vague to label this as false or true. 

https://www.baptisthealth.com/blog/health-and-wellness/risks-of-taking-ozempic-for-weight-loss

No available information
0 votes
by Novice (680 points)
The claim that Ozempic is safe for weight loss, is misleading. I think many celebrities and social media have been making Ozempic something that is now "normalized" in the Hollywood, internet scene, by claiming it as an effective weight loss drug. However, according to UCHealth, "Ozempic is approved for people with Type 2 diabetes. And Wegovy is approved for people with obesity." That being said, the main purpose of the drug Ozempic, is for patients with diabetes, as it is semaglutide, which helps the pancreas to produce insulin, as stated by Hunter Medical Research Institute. Further, those who are taking Ozempic as solely a weight loss method, are causing a shortage for those who genuinely do struggle with Type 2 diabetes.

https://www.uchealth.org/today/wegovy-vs-ozempic-the-truth-about-new-weight-loss-drugs/

https://hmri.org.au/news-article/ozempic-helps-weight-loss-making-you-feel-full-certain-foods-can-do-same-thing-%E2%80%93
Exaggerated/ Misleading
0 votes
by Apprentice (1.1k points)
Ozempic has recently gone viral as it has become a popular way for celebrities to lose a lot of weight quickly. This has led people to believe it is a safe way to lose weight, however, Ozempic is a medication intended for people with type II diabetes. There have not been dangerous side effects seen on people who have taken it for weight loss, but this does not mean it is considered safe. Safe is subjective in this case, just because it is not considered to be dangerous does not mean you should take it to lose weight.

https://www.forbes.com/health/weight-loss/ozempic-for-weight-loss/#:~:text=On%20the%20other%20hand%2C%20Dr,to%20weight%20regain%20over%20time.
0 votes
by Novice (670 points)
The active component of Ozempic, semaglutide, works with a hormone to change hunger signals, reduce stomach emptying, and affect blood sugar levels, all of which frequently lead to weight loss. Even though Ozempic causes weight reduction, its main purpose is to treat type 2 diabetes; it hasn't been approved for use as a weight-loss drug alone. The same ingredient is used in Wegovy, a different medication that has been approved especially for weight loss. But because it's not widely available, a lot of people who want to lose weight have switched to Ozempic. Ozempic appears to have no immediate dangers when used for weight control; nevertheless, diabetes patients who require access to the medication may have difficulties if it is diverted for non-diabetic purposes.
Can't be true or false (Opinion, poem, etc.)
by Novice (550 points)
I think your response has a lot of good factual information! Although, I think you should include sources in your fact-check to show where you found this information.
0 votes
by Novice (790 points)

This claim is misleading. According to the website, Forbes, the compound semaglutide, found in ozempic, may help people lose weight, but the actual drug ozempic should not be used for weight loss. Also, from the website, baptishealth, it states that, "Ozempic is only intended and approved for people with type 2 diabetes. You should not take it solely for weight loss". I think this claim isn't disinformation because it is not intended to harm, but rather misinformation. 

Sources: 

https://www.forbes.com/health/weight-loss/ozempic-for-weight-loss/#:~:text=While%20Ozempic%20is%20not%20specifically,under%20the%20brand%20name%20Wegovy.

https://www.baptisthealth.com/blog/health-and-wellness/risks-of-taking-ozempic-for-weight-loss#:~:text=Ozempic%20is%20only%20intended%20and,it%20solely%20for%20weight%20loss.

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