Celebrities Are Misusing the Weight Loss Drug Ozempic. You Shouldn't

Stars — they’re just like us. But sometimes, we really shouldn’t be like them. Hollywood elites are making headlines for using weight-loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic as an off-label shortcut for weight loss.

The problem is, it’s not safe for off-label use. Or, for that matter, effective for casual weight loss.Hartford HealthCare bariatric specialist Joseph St. Pierre, DO, explains why.

> Interested in weight loss? Take this health risk assessment

What’s this drug again?

The generic name is semaglutide, a drug that targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and eating.

As an anti-obesity treatment, semaglutide is prescribed as Wegovy. It’s also a key ingredient in the diabetes drug Ozempic.

Ozempic, in particular, has gained buzz as a weight loss “biohack” among celebrities like Elon Musk.

> Related: You May Be Eligible for Weight Loss Surgery Based on New Guidelines

So what’s the problem with taking drugs like Ozempic for casual weight loss?
These medications aren’t safe for everyone. The FDA has only approved them for people who meet strict health criteria — like a diagnosis of diabetes or obesity, or for those who are overweight with another weight-related condition like high blood pressure.

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