Joe Yates
Experts have gone into detail about the physical tell-tale signs that someone could be using Ozempic.
Ozempic has been the subject of a media frenzy over the last few years, and a long list of celebrities have opened up about using the drug for weight-loss.
For those who aren't aware, it comes in the form of a weekly injection that helps lower blood sugar levels in your body by assisting the pancreas in producing more insulin. It was approved in the US back in 2017 for use in adults with type 2 diabetes.
According to UC Davis Health - the University of California's medical center - Ozempic isn't approved for weight loss, but a drug under the name Wegovy is approved that contains a greater dose of semaglutide, which Ozempic and Wegovy both cover.
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Due to its popularity, medical professionals have become attuned to some of the visual side effects that can happen when using the drug... so, let's get into them.
Due to the sheer speed in which the weight of someone using Ozempic can shed, it doesn't give their body the time to naturally retract the skin, leading to what has been dubbed as 'Ozempic face'.
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Joshua Zeichner, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City told Everyday Health: "Ozempic face will go away if you gain back the weight you lost from the drug."
Meanwhile, plastic surgeon Dr Barry Weintraub told The Daily Mail that 'by depleting the subcutaneous fat, the skin appears thinner'.
Dr Patrick Byrne, president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery explained to The New York Post that he often sees patients who say they look 'hollowed' out with sunken cheeks and gaunt appearances.
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"It’s far more dramatic and rapid weight loss than one typically sees." he said. "Changes in the face seem to be more enhanced because of it."
While Dr Raj Thethi, of the Yorkshire Skin Centre, told The Daily Mail: "Patients want solutions for the loss of volume in the front of the face, hollowing around the eyes and jowls, as well as loose skin on the body."
There's been some research on the potential impacts Ozempic can have on your teeth. Side effects of supposed 'Ozempic Teeth' are reported as ranging from a dry mouth, bad breath and possible tooth decay.
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Dr. Sofina Ahmed, of Viva Dental, spoke to Hello Magazine that GLP-1 medications supposedly affect the saliva production, adding: "Without enough saliva, food particles and acids aren’t washed away. This creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive."
A knock-on effect from the use Ozempic is a change of diet, including a reliance on caffeine and low carbs. However, this intake can also be harmful to your teeth as she continued: "Caffeine, protein fermentation and fewer fibrous foods create a more acidic environment. Acid weakens enamel and raises the risk of cavities and ulcers."
Similarly, a reduction in chewing as a result of less eating can reportedly be harmful on your teeth, as Dr. Ahmed said: "Chewing stimulates saliva production and helps cleanse teeth naturally. Less chewing equals faster plaque build-up."
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However, Dr Rajesh Vijay, a dental implant expert, told HuffPost that 'there is no direct clinical evidence establishing a causal link between weight loss jabs and these dental problems'.
"Ongoing research and clinical observation are necessary to fully understand the implications of this medication on oral health." he said.
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Ozempic users may see an increase in facial wrinkles, which could be due to the speed in which weight can shed off those taking it.
According to Dr Michele Green, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York: "This volume loss can also worsen the appearance of existing fine lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity', adding to The Daily Mail that it may make those who take it look more 'aged'.
"Losing weight at the phenomenal rate Ozempic allows will lose the fat all over the body including the face - but overfilled lips will not shrink," aesthetician Kayti Brooks also explained to the outlet.
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"Any filler won’t have the support structure of the skin. The filler will stay and the lips stay big or bigger! With the skin laxity disappearing the client may feel the need to plump up with filler.
"This is hugely ageing and so obvious what procedures have been carried out."
Green also told the publication about 'Ozempic mouth', which can be characterized through folds at the corner of a person's mouth.
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"Many users of Ozempic who I know report noticeable volume loss in the face, which can result in the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, and jowls around the mouth," she said.
"Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk, and we recommend patients take these medications for their approved indications and under the supervision of a healthcare professional," Novo Nordisk, developer of Ozempic, said in a statement.
"We continuously collect safety data on our marketed GLP-1 medicines and work closely with the authorities to ensure patient safety. As part of this work, we continue to monitor reports of adverse drug reactions through routine pharmacovigilance.
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"We recommend that any patient experiencing side effects while taking GLP-1 RA medicines, including Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide injection), report them to their healthcare provider and via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/."