Surge of Ozempic Popularity for Weight Loss Prompts Ethical Concerns
By Kaia Paul
In 2017, the FDA approved the drug Ozempic as a treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes. While only 11.6% of the US population suffers from this condition, the medication was listed on the FDA’s 2023 drug shortages list. The main cause of this unexpected scarcity? Widespread misuse of Ozempic and similar medicines by non-diabetic consumers seeking weight loss.
Currently, the consequences of this drug abuse are being called into question as researchers uncover the addictive, life-threatening, and financially straining effects of such trending treatments.
Ozempic was popularized by social media platforms for helping influencers lose weight. It was portrayed as an easy alternative to exercising and dieting in order for ordinary people to slim down. As a result, social media users across the nation began purchasing Ozempic and various off-brand versions in an attempt to lose weight. The widespread promotion of this medication fostered an unhealthy beauty standard for influencers, idealizing underweight health conditions and stigmatizing obesity.
While Ozempic can be beneficial for treating obesity, the overwhelming number of users with non-serious weight conditions raises concerns over the ethicality of drug-induced weight loss. By encouraging artificial treatments, individuals may give off the illusion of being fit while having numerous underlying health problems. In fact, a study by Nature Journal found that Ozempic causes arthritic disorders, damages the pancreas and kidneys, and inflicts severe gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach paralysis.
An article from USA Today described the devastating effects of this drug, claiming, “Goodrich, Michigan resident [Monica Church] was hospitalized after taking the medication in December 2023 because she couldn’t keep down any food or fluids.”
Despite the drastic side effects of taking this drug, Ozempic is still in low supply due to the high number of buyers across the nation. This prevents its accessibility for people with serious health conditions beyond obesity. For instance, a Nature study found that this medicine regulates diabetes as well as decreases susceptibility to seizures, heart attack, stroke, dementia, and even addictions to alcohol, cannabis and opioids.
Altogether, the surge in Ozempic consumerism demonstrates the harmful and deceptive nature of drug-related social media trends. Not only does it stigmatize obesity, but also puts the well-being of healthy individuals at risk. It is for this reason society’s attention must be directed towards analyzing the side effects of medications, rather than idealizing their artificial benefits. By balancing the legitimate medical use of Ozempic with caution, we can ensure that this drug helps patients through its intended purpose without jeopardizing public health or contributing to harmful societal pressures.
