Ozempic and Wegovy are drugs that have been in vogue, especially since they started being prescribed for weight loss in people without type 2 diabetes.
Last week, New Scientist published an article explaining in detail "everything you need to know" about these two drugs.
Ozempic and Wegovy work by mimicking the actions of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which slows down gastric emptying, reduces appetite and increases insulin release, helping to regulate blood glucose levels.
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Initially, these drugs were aimed at treating type 2 diabetes. Recently, however, they have gained increasing prominence for their effectiveness in reducing weight in individuals without diabetes.
Wegovy, for example, showed in a recent study that, when accompanied by diet and exercise, it is capable of promoting an average 15% reduction in body weight within a year.
New Scientist also points out that these drugs have also shown the potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and strokes.
In addition, although with preliminary data, there have already been indications that GLP-1 analogues can help reduce addictions such as alcoholism.
However... there are other effects
As New Scientist details, side effects can include symptoms of constipation, nausea, diarrhea and, in more serious cases, pancreatic inflammation has already been reported.
Ozempic and Wegovy are also being investigated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), after it was recently reported that they may cause suicidal thoughts or self-harm. The aforementioned body says it is analyzing around 150 reports of possible cases.
Some consumers have also reported hair loss.
A study published in October and reported by ZAP revealed that Ozempic and Wegovy - present a high risk of developing serious gastrointestinal diseases, such as stomach paralysis and pancreatitis.
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But there is a much longer list of unexpected effects associated with these drugs.
