Rebel Wilson is loved by many as an actress and comedian. She also recently shed a whole lot of weight - and received a lot of support during the process! However, the star has now announced that she did use Ozempic during this time, which has sparked a bit of backlash. She explained in an interview:
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Someone like me could have a bottomless appetite for sweets, so I think those drugs can be good.
Wilson said she used the drug briefly, and is happy with her now 'still curvy and solid' weight.
Looking good has become quite an obsession for a lot of people as social media has skewed the body image of many who now seek to recreate what they see on their screens at the cost of their health and well-being. However, when Ozempic stopped being just a diabetes medicine and became a quick fix for shedding weight, many celebrities and influencers hoarded it - not only creating a shortage for people with the illness it was initially meant for but also raising the demand in the non-celebrity population who wanted in on the benefits. With demand far surpassing the supply, a recipe for disaster quickly brewed as many began to seek injections on the black market.
How does Ozempic work?
Semaglutate injections aka Ozempic and Wegovy work by mimicking the effect of glucagon which is a hormone released after eating to suppress appetite. The injections directly slow down the rate at which food is digested and increase the feeling of fullness, thereby reducing appetite. In essence, they eliminate hunger. They also have a direct effect on blood sugar and insulin which is why they were initially aimed at people with diabetes.
The risks of Ozempic
There is a price to pay for swift weight loss which comes in many forms and most are not ideal. Gastrointestinal issues like constipation, diarrhea and extreme nausea should be expected; one’s relationship with food will completely change as the stomach will become more sensitive to what is put in it. Some patients will report vomiting if they eat too quickly or too much. Other reported side effects include mild ones such as stomach pain most likely due to delayed emptying of the bowels, sore throat heartburn and fatigue. More extreme side effects include inflammation in the pancreas, gallbladder problems, hypoglycemia, potential kidney failure, depression and suicidal thoughts.
The Ozempic bubble
Despite the very clear dangers of the drug, many people still opt to use Ozempic, creating a crunch effect that has led to a shortage of the drug. This made the it hard to find and in the rare cases where it is found insurance won't cover it which makes it exclusive for people who can afford the costly £1000+ monthly price tag. Now, the Ozempic market has become so popular that it has created new businesses around the distribution of the drug; some subscription companies offer access to the drug for monthly payments. This business model is successful because the effects of Ozempic disappear if users stop taking it; maintaining access to the drug is a must.
Furthermore, another business avenue that exists is the illicit market. Sellers have popped up all over social media to capitalize on the Ozempic craze by selling it directly to consumers. The catch is that these are unregulated sources that can’t guarantee the quality of the product nor ensure that it’s safe. The unregulated purchase of Semiglutide adds another risk element as the consumer has no way of testing the drugs and can be subject to scams. The BBC purchased many samples from online sellers and tested them to find that some did not contain any Ozempic and many others that did failed to include the full dose.
Read more:
⋙ Doctors say people taking weight-loss drugs are suffering from stomach paralysis
⋙ Experts reveal the real reason why we usually gain more weight in winter
⋙ Sharon Osbourne reveals how she really feels about her dramatic weight loss transformation
Sources:
National Geographic: Ozempic is a serious drug with serious risks. Here’s what to know.
City Skin Clinic: How Drugs Like Ozempic Work & What to Expect
BBC: Weight loss injection hype fuels online black market
Wegovy.com: side effects
People: Rebel Wilson Reveals She Tried Ozempic for Weight Loss: 'Those Drugs Can Be Good'
