What is Ozempic? And why is Hollywood fixated on this diabetes drug?

Ozempic seems to be the latest Hollywood buzzword, albeit for all the wrong reasons. Traditionally prescribed as a drug to manage Type 2 diabetes, it wasn’t long before Ozempic’s appetite-suppressing side effects began to pique public interest. 

While such a side effect has undoubtedly worked toward managing the ongoing obesity epidemic, the drug’s popularity among those who aren’t actually battling a health crisis (but instead looking to drop a few kg’s) has posed both a supply issue and a health risk. 

And the biggest culprits? Celebrities, allegedly.

The Ozempic rumour mill is running wild. As the supplies deplete (in some cases leaving diabetes patients without their life-saving medication), certain celebrities are being accused of throwing “Ozempic parties”. AKA, inviting their friends over to inject the weight loss drug together. Um, what happened to a good old games night? 

However, not all famous alumni are on board. In fact, Jameela Jamil shared a post to Instagram speaking out about the dangers of using Ozempic purely for weightloss. “Rich people are buying this stuff off prescription for upwards of 1000 dollars. Actual diabetics are seeing shortages. It's now a mainstream craze in Hollywood,” she said. 

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a drug prescribed to assist with the management of type 2 diabetes by helping the pancreas to produce insulin.

How can Ozempic assist in weight loss?

Semaglutide is the active ingredient found in the Ozempic drug. One of its side effects is that it will suppress a person's appetite, making them feel both full and satisfied and in turn, skipping meals or eating less.

Can a non-diabetic take Ozempic for weight loss?

It’s not recommended, no. And in fact, unless you are obese, finding a doctor who will prescribe you Ozempic for weight loss has become increasingly hard due to the low supplies and the damaging impact an overuse can have on someone's health, specifically their kidneys.

A drug named Wegovy was created using the same active ingredient as Ozempic (however, in higher doses) to specifically manage obesity.

Which celebrities have been linked to Ozempic?

Whether these A-listers have responded to the rumours or not, the Ozempic whispers covered everyone from Mindy Kaling to Kim Kardashian to Kyle Richards.

Andy Cohen (the mastermind behind the Real Housewives franchise) tweeted: “Everyone is suddenly showing up 25 pounds lighter. What happens when they stop taking #Ozempic?????” 

And while most celebrities deny using it — Julia Fox being one of them — others have actually fessed up.

During a guest appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Chelsea Handler shared her experience taking the drug after her doctor asked whether she wanted to “drop five pounds”. 

“I came back from a vacation and I injected myself with it,” she said. “I went to lunch with a girlfriend a few days later and she was like, ‘I’m not really eating anything. I’m so nauseous, I’m on Ozempic.’ I was like, ‘I’m kind of nauseous too’”.

After discovering it was in fact the diabetes drug that she’d been prescribed, Chelsea immediately ceased use.

“I’m not on it anymore. That’s too irresponsible,” she clarified. “I’m an irresponsible drug user but I’m not gonna take a diabetic drug. I tried it, and I’m not gonna do that. That’s not for me. That’s not right for me.” Big yikes. 

Main image credit: Getty

After all, we can't forget when Kim Kardashian had three weeks to fit into her Met Gala dress...