PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Ozempic. Wegovy. Mounjaro.
People with Type 2 diabetes are familiar with these drugs as a way to help lower blood sugar levels. Studies show the active compound in these medications, semaglutide, can suppress appetite and prolong fullness. In higher doses, it’s been prescribed to treat individuals with obesity.
But, many celebrities and social media influencers are also using these drugs as a quick way to lose weight. How is that permitted — and is it safe?
“We’ve had a number of prescriptions in weight loss drugs out in the market for a long time,” said Jason Zupac, a clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Saint Joseph’s University. “But prior to GLP-1, we haven't seen the amount of weight loss that we see with this new class of medicine.”
GLP-1 is a class of drug, like Ozempic, used to treat Type 2 diabetes that mimics the action of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide. It stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin and thereby lowers blood sugar levels.
But what happens when non-diabetics take the medication?
While it might help with weight loss, it’s meant to be used in the long term for chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity. In the short term, any weight lost will eventually be regained, Forbes reported.
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Even so, Zupac said it’s not unusual for a medication to be used outside of its main intended use.
“In medicine, we call it off-label prescribing — using a medication for a function that’s not FDA-approved,” he said. “For things like antibiotics, we use this all the time.”
On the latest episode of KYW Newsradio In Depth, Zupac discusses what these drugs are, why so many people are using them, and how they can impact the future of weight loss medication.
Listen to the full conversation in the player below, on the Audacy app or wherever you get your podcasts.