Dangers from the weight loss pen Elon Musk uses

Indiscriminate use of Ozempic injectable pen for weight loss can cause dependence, weight gain after discontinuation and create false scarcity in the market.

Stephanie, a medical worker in Hong Kong, has been trying to lose weight for years but has failed.

"I've tried all sorts of diets, and none of them have worked in the long term," the 38-year-old said.

By July 2022, she learned about Ozempic, an injectable diabetes drug that many people believe can help with weight loss. Stephanie decided to use it and got amazing results. In 10 months, she successfully lost 25.4 kg. Billionaire Elon Musk also boasted of losing 9 kg thanks to the above drug.

Ozempic is the trade name for the drug semaglutide, which has been used to treat type 2 diabetes for over 15 years. According to nutritionist Diane Tran, Hong Kong Health Clinic, the drug mimics the action of the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which occurs naturally in the body.

GLP-1 has the function of regulating blood sugar, slowing down the rate of rise in blood sugar after eating. It also slows down the digestive process, reducing the rate at which food is eliminated from the stomach, making the user fuller for longer. These effects often lead to weight loss.

People who use semaglutide often pass on an anecdote. They said that after taking the medicine, they ordered their favorite food at the restaurant and couldn't finish it like before.

Anna, 40 years old, a teacher in Hong Kong accidentally realized this after using Ozempic for 7 months.

"I used to be obese. My insulin and blood sugar levels were horrible. At my worst, I weighed 119 kg," Anna said. At one point, she exercised four times a week, ate healthy and rarely snacked, but her weight didn't drop. When she went to the doctor, the doctor realized she had thyroid problems and insulin resistance, so he prescribed Ozempic.

Since taking Ozempic, she has lost about 102 kg, calling herself a "huge miracle". Anna says being overweight and type 2 diabetes go hand in hand. Therefore, the healthier and slimmer the patient, the higher the chance of recovering from the disease.

Some people use the Ozempic diabetes pen to lose weight. Photo: Today

According to nutritionist Diane Tran, if prescribed and used by the right people and for the right purposes under the supervision of a doctor, Ozempic is very useful for people who have difficulty losing weight. However, many experts remain wary of the drug's larger implications.

Previously, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that thyroid tumors develop after using the drug. The drug may be less safe for patients with pancreatitis or thyroid cancer.

Other experts worry that drugs do not help form healthy eating habits, only support, not solve the root of the problem. Some studies have shown that a year after stopping the medication, patients tend to gain weight back, on average two-thirds of the weight they lost.

Many people believe that once started using the drug, users will have to maintain it forever without knowing the long-term effects. The longest trial lasted 104 weeks, Dr. Tran noted.

Because Ozempic and similar drugs have attracted public attention, Tran is concerned that "people who don't fit the prescription will defyly find a way to take the drug."

The backing of influencers like billionaire Elon Musk can create an unusual wave of buying and selling. This leads to shortages around the world, especially affecting diabetics who really need it.

Since its launch in 2021, semaglutide has been in constant shortage. The cost for a one-month weight loss dose (2.4 mg) is $1,300, which is more than the 1 mg or 2 mg dose used to treat diabetes.

Users like Anna also warn that, while Ozempic makes a difference, it's not "the elixir to automatically lose weight". Users still have to monitor their diet and actively exercise regularly.

According to research, semaglutide works best when combined with a healthy diet and moderate activity. For people who are dependent on medication, continue to overeat, or make unhealthy food choices, the weight loss impact can be minimal.

Other studies have also shown that 7% of treated patients discontinued medication due to adverse reactions, most commonly nausea due to slowed digestion.

According to Dr. Tran, to lose weight in a healthy way, instead of taking drugs, people should get enough protein and fiber. This slows down how food moves through your stomach, helping you feel fuller for longer. "Clean" protein sources usually come from legumes and nuts.

The second approach is to cut back on refined carbohydrates, switching from pasta, rice, and bread to whole grain products like quinoa and buckwheat. They have a higher fiber content, which helps slow the rise in blood sugar.

Intermittent fasting is also an effective weight loss method. There are two forms of intermittent fasting: time-limited eating (eating for 6-8 hours and fasting for the remaining 16-18 hours) or intermittent fasting for 16 to 24 hours, twice a week.