The Top Five Myths About Ozempic

Ignoring Ozempic isn’t easy –– especially with so many doctors aggressively advocating its benefits. If losing weight has been a struggle, you might be wondering, is Ozempic safe for weight loss? You might be concerned about Ozempic side effects and duration. No matter what you’re considering, you should know that there are many reasons for weight gain and some of them can be discovered with a simple, inexpensive at-home test from Kyla. 

Yes, some doctors have advocated for Ozempic. Hoping to overcome skepticism, Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, MD. wrote about the drug in Time magazine, describing it as delivering “…meaningful improvement for the debilitating chronic condition” for which it’s prescribed –– in other words, obesity. He also says it, “…helps to treat and prevent a myriad of other serious diseases…” He claimed the drug “…markedly improved a person’s quality of life with noted reductions in pain and improvements in mobility along with increases in confidence and mood.”

Despite the many glowing reviews, it’s normal to be skeptical. Here are five myths about Ozempic and why you may want to consider other options. 

1. It’s The First Miracle Weight Loss Drug

Even if you haven’t seen news stories about Ozempic weight loss, you’ve likely seen comedians joking about it on awards shows and various comedy programs. Ozempic and similar drugs like Wegovy contain semaglutide –– which was initially a treatment for diabetes. Although Wegovy is no longer off-label, many wonder, is Ozempic safe for weight loss?  Some believe it’s the U.S.’s best hope to slow or even reduce the ever growing numbers of obese adults in this country (which the CDC pegs at over 42%.)

If you’re skeptical, you have good reason. It seems like every generation a new weight loss drug promises risk-free results. Beginning in the late 1940s and throughout the 1960s, amphetamines like Benzedrine and Dexedrine Sulfate were marketed as safe and effective weight loss drugs. This initially off-label use exploded until side effects including psychosis and severe addiction led doctors to stop prescribing it as a weight loss option. 

In the 1990s, the combo drug “fen-phen” (for fenfluramine and phentermine) was sometimes called miracle medicine for weight loss. Then in 1997, the FDA demanded that the drugs’ manufacturer remove it from store shelves because it could damage heart valves. There’s no evidence that Ozempic side effects and duration are remotely as bad as the ones faced by amphetamine or fen-phen users. Still, it’s important to be cautious and do your own research before putting anything into your body –– especially if you hope for a quick fix. 

2. The Side Effects Are Worth It

Off-label use of a drug isn’t necessarily dangerous. However, the incredible amount of testing and research required to bring a drug to market designed for its intended use isn’t always the same for off-label uses. Although the FDA approved Ozempic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in 2017, it wasn’t approved as a weight loss drug (Wegovy was). By lowering the hormone glucagon it can lower blood sugar levels –– which may also reduce appetite and cravings. 

Unfortunately for non-diabetic users taking Ozempic weight loss drugs, lowered blood sugar can have some very negative consequences including dizziness, irritability, and, in extreme cases, loss of consciousness. Ironically, the fastest way to treat hypoglycemia is with sugar-laden soda, candy, and other things dieters often avoid. 

That’s not all. Because these drugs work in part by slowing the speed with which food passes through the digestive system (which causes users to feel full longer,) stomach issues are common. Ozempic side effects and duration include stomach pain and nausea that lasts for days along with more serious gastrointestinal issues like swelling of the pancreas and gallstones, along with an increased risk of kidney failure. There have also been some reports of allergic reactions and an increased risk for thyroid cancer along with rare instances of stomach paralysis.

Maybe the side effects aren’t worth it.  That’s why you might want to consider a program that can get you on track without having to depend on medications. Before you spend thousands on drugs that may not work and could be dangerous, consider working with medical professionals to develop a holistic approach to weight loss. At Kyla, you’ll have access to a data-driven risk engine that leverages both AI and the talents of highly skilled medical professionals to deliver a lifespan estimator and guidance toward a healthier lifestyle.

3. Insurance Will Cover The Cost

If you have type 2 diabetes, then there’s a good chance your insurance provider will cover the Ozempic cost. Hoping for Ozempic weight loss, means paying a good bit out of pocket. That’s because using the drug to lose weight is an off-label use, and a fairly recent one at that. Insurance providers generally aren’t covering it and the drug isn’t cheap. Expect to pay around $1,000 per month, every month.  Even similar drugs that have been approved for weight loss aren’t generally covered by insurance. 

Ozempic cost is a big reason people are considering alternatives. A simple at-home test from Kyla delivers information on your hormonal levels, cardiovascular health, and cancer risk for just $99 –– and that is often covered by insurance. You may discover you have treatable conditions that are covered by insurance and that once treated can result in significant weight loss.

4. If I’m Overweight, then I Should Take It

For one thing, even as an off-label use it’s generally used by people who are considered obese. This means having a Body Mass Index over 30. Body Mass calculators are easily accessible online and they will help you see if you’re overweight or obese. You could even fall into the healthy range but feel you need to “lose a few.” This drug is not ideal for shedding a couple of pounds –– users often drop significant weight percentages. 

Besides, the problem with the Ozempic weight loss drug, or similar medications is that they only work when you take them. Many users report gaining back some or all of the weight after discontinuing use. While drugs designed to lower blood pressure similarly require lifetime use, you may want to take a moment before you embark on a multi-decade journey with a drug that’s been around a relatively short time. Are you prepared to spend over $12,000 a year for the rest of your life?

If you discontinue, the biological signals that motivated you to eat will return in full force. You’ll likely feel them even more than before. Consider your options. For a fraction of the cost, medical professionals at Kyla will help you with a program that will treat the whole you –– not just your weight.

5.  No More Exercise! 

Without lifestyle changes, Ozempic weight loss won’t really matter. That’s because if you lose weight without cardiovascular exercise and resistance training, you could still face a host of life-threatening physical conditions. If you aren’t exercising, you can have cardiovascular concerns, insulin resistance or pre-diabetes, and many other health issues. Being skinny isn’t a guarantee of good health.

Besides, weight gain can be caused by a variety of factors, many of which are correctable. It’s common for people suffering from a thyroid or hormonal imbalance to gain weight. Kyla’s at-home test can help you discover underlying, treatable causes of your weight gain. By accessing their risk engine, you can learn about making lifestyle changes to extend your healthy life through anti-aging therapies that can include nutritional supplements.

Because you will have access to licensed doctors, you may also be able to get medications prescribed that can treat the underlying cause of your weight gain. Before you consider injecting yourself with a medication that hasn’t been around for very long, examine your options and consider taking control.

Sources: 

1. Freedhoff, MD. Yoni. “What We Get Wrong About Drugs Like Ozempic,” Time. June 28, 2023. https://time.com/6290294/weight-loss-drugs-ozempic-demonization-essay/
2. “Adult Obesity Facts,” CDC. May 17, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
3. “Rasmussen, Nicolas. “America’s first amphetamine epidemic 1929-1971: a quantitative and qualitative retrospective with implications for the present.” American Journal of Public Health Vol. 98,6 (2008): 974-85. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2377281/
4. Fauber,John. “Slippery Slope: Fen-Phen Users Recall a ‘Miracle’ Turned Nightmare,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/MedPage Today. April 19, 2016.  https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/slipperyslope/51044
5.  “Risks of Taking Ozempic for Weight Loss,” Baptist Health. February 7, 2024. https://www.baptisthealth.com/blog/health-and-wellness/risks-of-taking-ozempic-for-weight-loss#:~:text=Serious side effects, including allergic,changes haven’t been made 
6. Lovelace, Berkeley. Jr. “Popular weight loss drugs linked to rare but severe stomach problems, study finds,” NBC News. October 5, 2023. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/ozempic-wegovy-linked-severe-medical-conditions-stomach-problems-study-rcna118823
7. Wilson, Amelia. “How much does Ozempic cost without insurance?” RoCo. march 12, 2024. https://ro.co/weight-loss/ozempic-cost-without-insurance/#:~:text=Is Ozempic usually covered by,typically not covered by insurance.