A doctor has issued a warning about a less documented side effect of Ozempic that can apparently have a long-term health impact.
Ozempic was initially introduced as a drug for people with Type-2 diabetes to help them manage their blood sugar levels, but has become popular in recent years for those hoping to shed the pounds.
The drug was approved in 2017 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help diabetics, and works through its active ingredient semaglutide, which mimics the body's natural GLP-1 hormone responsible for regulating appetite.
The medication is administered once a week, with dosages starting from 0.25mg before increasing each time to the limit of 2mg.
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While Ozempic has become increasing popular for those hoping to lose weight, despite it not being approved for this purpose, many doctors have spoken out about potential side effects of taking the drug.
A doctor's warning over Ozempic's side effects
Dr. Glenn Messina, a former professor at Stony Brook School of Medicine, delivers medical care to those in the area of Long Island, New York.
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Alongside that, the medical expert also runs a popular YouTube channel where he documents his best health tips and tricks.
And in a recent video, Dr. Messina has been speaking about a little know side effect of Ozempic that can lead to long-term impacts.
He explained how the drug has become the 'most popular' weight loss drug despite only being approved for those with type 2 diabetes.
"Ozempic has got a host of problems, from pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), thyroid carcinoma (thyroid cancer), and causing gastric problems," the doctor explained.
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"There's another thing that is being found out, muscle wasting. Therefore if you are taking Ozempic, please do it under medical supervision."
Heightened risk of muscle wasting
In a follow-up video, the doctor explained how taking Ozempic 'tells your brain' how you have eaten enough even if you haven't consumed anything - hence the subsequent weight loss.
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The expert went on to say some may even experience symptoms such as nausea and diarrhoea and those having such are more likely to sustain muscle wasting.
A study looked into how taking drugs such as Ozempic can impact muscle mass and ultimately reduce bone density. And while it did prove effective for those hoping to lose weight, it certainly has its drawbacks.
Dr. Rekha Kumar, a practicing endocrinologist in New York, told Healthline: "[It’s] important to note that a lower body weight does not always mean that a person is healthier. After some weight loss is achieved and a person reaches a plateau, it is important to assess body composition.
"Any time people lose weight, one-quarter to one-third of that weight can be muscle, and the faster we lose, the more likely we are to lose muscle. While 20 percent reduction in muscle mass seems normal for someone losing weight, the problem is the length of time in which this muscle loss occurs."
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Novo Nordisk's statement on decreased muscle mass
In a statement provided to UNILAD last week, Novo Nordisk - the manufacturer of Ozempic - said: "In clinical trials for Wegovy, Ozempic or Rybelsus, we did not specifically study the medicine’s impact on muscle mass.
"In a sub-study of 140 patients with a BMI of 40 or less conducted as part of the STEP 1 trial, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) analyses suggested that treatment with Wegovy was accompanied by reductions in both fat mass and lean body mass, with a greater reduction in fat mass than lean body mass.
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"We recommend that any patients experiencing side effects while taking Wegovy, Ozempic or Rybelsus contact their healthcare provider."
Callum Jones