Niamh Shackleton
Singer Avery has been diagnosed with a condition that's thought to affect over 10 million Americans after she began using Ozempic.
In recent days, Avery took to social media to detail her experience of taking Ozempic, a drug typically prescribed to those who have type 2 diabetes. But people - including many celebrities - have been using it for 'off-label weight loss' purposes.
The drug is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss, but Wegovy - a similar injectable medication that has the active ingredient of semaglutide - was in 2021.
While it isn't approved to be taken with the intention of dropping a few pounds, people still use Ozempic for this reason; Avery being one example.
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Some doctors are said to prescribe the medication for weight loss (despite not being FDA approved for this), with others may purchase the drug privately.
Over the weekend, Avery detailed her experience of taking Ozempic.
The singer took the drug for 12 months and has now urged people to 'be careful' if they opt to try it.
"I’ve done a lot of damage to myself," Avery said about taking it. "I want to make clear that I DO have an eating disorder, and I did NOT get Ozempic from a doctor. It is very easy to get now days, and many people with eating disorders are getting their hands on it.
"I made a mistake. I take responsibility for my actions. Please learn from mine."
She further revealed that she now has osteoporosis, which she implied is a result of Ozempic.
Mayo Clinic describes the condition as something that 'causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses such as bending over or coughing can cause a break'.
In 2010, it was found that over 10 million Americans over the age of 50 had the condition, as per the CDC.
Symptoms of osteoporosis include back pain; loss of height over time; a stooped posture; and bones that break more easily than expected.
Women are reportedly more likely to develop the condition and, the older you get, the higher the risk of getting osteoporosis increases.
Those of white or Asian descent are also at higher risk of getting the disease, says Mayo Clinic, in addition to people 'who have small body frames'.
A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk, the company that develops Ozempic, told UNILAD: "Novo Nordisk does not condone, suggest, or encourage misuse of any of our medicines outside of their approved indications. Ozempic (semaglutide injection) is not licensed for the treatment of weight loss.
"We understand the health challenges this individual has faced and the safety and wellbeing of patients taking our medicines is our top priority. We strongly recommend that all patients stay in close contact with their healthcare professional for proper diagnosis, ongoing guidance, and careful monitoring."
They continued: "It is important to note that Ozempic (semaglutide injection) is a prescription-only medicine, meaning that it must be prescribed by a healthcare professional under strict supervision.
"Patients must make any decisions about treatment together with their healthcare professional so that their doctor can assess whether it is appropriate to prescribe the medicine or not, based on their assessment of the patient’s individual medical profile. Accessing prescription-only medicines without a valid prescription or without the care of a healthcare professional can pose a direct danger to health."
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone, contact National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). You can reach them on their free hotline at 1(888)-375-7767, which is open Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm CST.