Filmmaker Karan Johar recently found himself at the center of controversy over his dramatic weight loss. There was speculation that he had used Ozempic, a diabetes drug known to have weight loss side effects, to achieve the transformation.

The rumors gained momentum when Maheep Kapoor criticized people on the show “Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives” for using Ozempic for weight loss, leading to its shortage for diabetics. However, Johar clarified in an Instagram Story that his weight loss was a result of “being healthy and eating well”.

This incident has sparked widespread discussion about the ethical use of prescription drugs for weight loss methods and cosmetic purposes, particularly Ozempic. We look at what this drug actually is and how its use has changed over time.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a prescription medicine used to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It is a self-administered injection placed under the skin once a week. Currently not available in India.

The controversy surrounding Ozempic stems from its significant weight-loss side effects, which has led many people to use it off-label for weight management. This increase in demand has led to a shortage in supply, leaving some diabetics struggling to access their prescribed medication.

While Ozempic is used for weight loss, Ozempic’s supplier Novo Nordisk used its active ingredient – ​​semaglutide – in another drug called Vegovy for weight loss in higher doses.

Despite Vegovy being available for weight loss, Ozempic is most widely used for weight loss since it was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017.

Obesity, weight loss and Ozampic

Most people are under the misconception that obesity is not a medical condition. Because of this, millions of people do not seek treatment, putting them at increased risk of various cardiovascular problems, type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis, and certain cancers (endometrial, breast and colon).

But with the launch of Ozempic after 2017, people who wanted to lose weight quickly turned to this drug, especially because its side effects help people lose weight in a shorter period of time.

Ozempic and Vegovy are essentially the same medicine, with Vegovy being a higher-dose version of the active ingredient called semaglutide. While Ozempic is primarily approved for diabetes, Vegovy has received FDA approval specifically for weight loss.

It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which comes in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg doses.

According to Novo Nordisk, the drug Ozempic is used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes. It may help reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes with known heart disease.

How does Ozempic work?

Ozempic works in different ways. It helps in increasing insulin in the body of diabetic patients, thereby controlling blood sugar.

Dr. Saurabh Mishra, Senior Consultant Surgical Gastroenterology & Bariatric Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Bangalore said that Ozempic also reduces the secretion of glucagon (a hormone that increases blood sugar levels) which increases the current glucose (sugar) level of the body. depends on.

How does it work in weight loss? “It primarily increases gastric emptying in patients. This means that once you eat, the food stays in the stomach for a longer period of time, making the patient feel full for a longer period of time,” said Dr. This reduces appetite and reduces weight.” Mishra.

Dr Ambrish Mithal, Chairman and Head of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, said Ozempic belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists, which means they act through the pathway.

“Ozempic belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists. They act through the pathway. Whenever food enters our intestine this pathway is activated and hormones are released in the intestine that block the action of GLP-1. It stimulates the pancreas to release insulin and that processes our food,” Dr. Mithal said.

Ozempic warnings and side effects

Ozempic comes with side effects and warning signs. In some studies with rodents, drugs that work like Ozempic caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer.

Although it is not known whether Ozempic causes thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people, the company warns that if a family member has MTC or multiple endocrine neoplasia The syndrome is an endocrine system condition called type 2. (Male 2), then they should avoid using Ozempic.

Some serious side effects of Ozempic include inflammation of the pancreas. This may cause severe pain in the abdominal area with or without vomiting.

Using Ozempic with certain medications like sulfonylureas or insulin may increase the risk of low blood sugar with symptoms such as dizziness, irritability, and sweating.

It may also worsen kidney problems in people who are dehydrated from nausea or diarrhea.

However, in very rare cases, Ozempic can cause serious allergic reactions or gall bladder problems, indicated by symptoms such as severe stomach pain or jaundice.

Dr. Mithal cautioned that many people have these gastrointestinal side effects that should not be self-managed. “Don’t venture into unfamiliar territory on your own. Talk to your doctor and understand the side effects, manage them if necessary. Some patients cannot tolerate it, in which case we have to discontinue the drug,” he said.

According to Novo Nordisk, drink fluids to prevent dehydration and notify your doctor if any serious symptoms occur.