You really shouldn’t take Ozempic if you fall under any of these criteria
Professionals have warned Ozempic is not for everyone
While the conversation around Ozempic is louder than ever, there are certain people who really shouldn't be using it.
Ozempic was originally created for type 2 diabetics, but as we know, it's primarily now known for being a radical weight-loss drug.
Despite not being FDA approved for weight-loss purposes, celebrities such as James Corden and Rebel Wilson have admitted to using it for that reason.
And they're not the only ones.
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It is known as a GLP-1 medication, and it's expensive to get hold of.
The injection mimics the hormone released from the digestive tract which lowers blood sugar and makes you feel more full - hence leading to weight-loss.
However, doctors have warned that it is not the 'quick fix' drug that people assume it is, and there are certain groups of people who are strongly advised against using it.
While the drug was created for people with type 2 diabetes, people with type 1 are among those who should stay clear of the injections.
Other people who should avoid the medication include people with pancreatic-related issues, kidney-related issues, diabetes-related retinopathy, a family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or other thyroid issues, a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) or other endocrine issues, and who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or under the age of 18.
While Ozempic cannot officially be prescribed as a weight-loss drug, specialists assure that for someone struggling with obesity, it may be a 'game-changer'.
Obesity medicine specialist Dr W. Scott Butsch spoke to the Cleveland Clinic to explain why the drug works to reduce obesity levels.
He said: "Obesity isn’t a behavioural problem.
"It’s not managed by just eating less or exercising more.
"Obesity is a complex, metabolic disease.
"It’s a dysfunction of the normal pathways that regulate our body weight or, more specifically, our body fat.
"Taking anti-obesity medications like Ozempic, may change your body’s reaction to food intake and weight loss."
He added: "These medications allow your body to seek a lower weight range, and this is not solely related to reducing your food intake."
Whilst it can work as an affective weight-loss drug for those who are obese, it should never be used for a short-term solution.
Just like you wouldn't take insulin if you didn't suffer from diabetes, you should not be taking Ozempic for weight loss reasons if you are not obese.
Mia Williams