Ozempic has been found to cause a number of side effects, according to medical professionals, with it possibly bringing on a painful 'aftermath' in particular.
While many associate Ozempic and other similar medical injections with weight-loss, the reality of it is that it was created not actually to be a weight-loss drug.
Known as semaglutide, under a drug class called GLP-1, it is intended for use by 'adults with Type-2 diabetes'.
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Ozempic is approved in both the UK and the US to treat the condition, as it helps to improve blood sugar when used alongside diet and exercise. It is now, however, approved for the use of weight loss alone - but this hasn't stopped many people, including celebrities, from using it for this purpose anyway.
While a number of effects can come from regular use of the medical injections, Ozempic has been in the headlines over the past year or so as news emerged that celebrities around the world have been using it as a method to lose weight.
What brutal 'aftermath' is caused by Ozempic?
Medical professionals have warned that Ozempic users have been reporting numerous issues, though it's a simulation from YouTuber Zack D. Films that has made the headlines.
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The content creator posted a video explaining that Ozempic activates the part of your brain that makes you feel full, while stabilising your blood sugar and stopping cravings.
While it can help you feel full for longer after a meal, it explains: "This causes you to lose weight as you eat less. But it can make some people feel sick and even give them diarrhoea."
But how does this happen, exactly?
Diarrhoea
While the simulation humorously shows a man struggle to make it to the loo, patients have reported cases of diarrhoea after taking the GLP-1 drug.
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As explained by Verywell Health, diarrhoea is 'a common side effect of Ozempic, with a tendency to start in the first month of treatment.
It is believed to be related to the medications effects on emptying the stomach and nutrient absorption as a whole.
The website states that eight to 30 percent of people who take the medication can suffer from diarrhoea, with a 2022 study suggesting that it could be to do with how your intestines absorb nutrients, or the change in speed of which food moves through the digestive system.
It is advised to stay away from sweet or caffeinated drinks, alcohol, milk, yogurt,m cheese, ice cream, and fast foods to prevent diarrhoea, according to WebMD.
Nausea
Another common side-effect explained in the simulation is feeling sick, or nausea
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This is known as the most common side effect of Ozempic, according to DailyMed.
While Verywell Health state that anywhere between 16 and 44 percent of people who take Ozempic can experience nausea, other medical sites state that it is around one in five people that are affected.
It is known to get worse as you increase your dose, or when you first start the drug, which can result in vomiting.
The sickness is thought to be caused by how slow your stomach becomes at emptying food, which can cause nausea after meals in particular, as it puts pressure on the belly area.
It's advised that you take Ozempic with food, stay hydrated, and eat regular, if small, meals as the days goes on.
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If nothing changes, you may need to ask your doctor to lower the dose.
Other side effects
There are a number of other gastrointestinal side effects caused by Ozempic, such as stomach pain, constipation, and 'burps'.
To avoid these, it is advised to eat regular meals, stay hydrated, and exercise regularly to help and cope with the effects.
However, there are external effects too, with Dr Emma Cunningham and Dr Sepideh Jalali claiming to The Sun that 'GLP-1 Face' is becoming a common complaint.
This is known to be a part of the Ozempic aftermath', and relates to the loose skin in the face and body area.
Dr Cunningham said that fat loss can 'leave the skin looking loose and deflated,' adding that it can leave patients 'feeling self-conscious' about their looks.
Dr Sepideh added that GLP-1 drugs change the way that food is processed in the stomach, adding that it can even lead to dry mouth, and plaque buildup.
"Being linked to 'Ozempic face' inducing changes to the mouth, teeth, gums and surrounding facial structures due to the rapid weight loss in the fat pads in these areas. The drop is caused by skin sagging, creating an appearance of hollow cheeks or a prematurely aged look."
Novo Nordisk, Ozempic's manufacturer, told LADbible Group: "Wegovy®▼ (semaglutide injection) and Ozempic® (semaglutide injection) are prescription only medicines and require a healthcare professional to prescribe under strict supervision. Treatment decisions should be made together with a healthcare provider who can evaluate the appropriateness of using a GLP-1 based on assessment of a patient’s individual medical profile.
"Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk. We continuously collect safety data on our marketed GLP-1 RA medicines and work closely with the authorities to ensure patient safety. As part of this work we continue to monitor reports of adverse drug reactions through routine pharmacovigilance. Regarding safety, the most common adverse events among people treated with Ozempic® (semaglutide injection) for its indicated use, are gastrointestinal events including nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting. Most events were transient, and mild or moderate in severity and resolved without permanent treatment discontinuation.
"We recommend that any patients experiencing side effects while taking GLP receptor agonists including Wegovy® or Ozempic® report them to their healthcare provider and via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/."
Joshua Nair