7 ms·

Isn't the weight-loss "feature" of Ozempic a side-effect, and not the original primary target of the drug? I could (and very well probably am) be wrong here, b

Isn't the weight-loss "feature" of Ozempic a side-effect, and not the original primary target of the drug? I could (and very well probably am) be wrong here, but I thought it's original purpose was to moderate blood sugar levels, not cause the user to drop large amounts of weight quickly. If so, I'm honestly not surprised at all. Magic bullets don't exist. If they do, they usually come with unforeseen side effects.

arcticbull 3y ago
The, er, male enhancement "feature" of Viagra is a side-effect of its original use: blood pressure medicine. It's only a side-effect if it's secondary or undesirable. [edit] Or (setting aside the birth defects) curing multiple myeloma was a side-effect of thalidomide, which was originally given for morning sickness. And life extension is a promising potential side-effect of metformin.
- chucksta 3y ago
  >It's only a side-effect if it's secondary or undesirable. What is your point? that's the definition... A side effect of turning the light on is heat. "A peripheral or secondary effect, especially an undesirable secondary effect of a drug or therapy."
make3 3y ago
lots of pills are used for uses different from their original uses, & it's fine. see Viagra, that was supposed to be heart medication
GoofballJones 3y ago
I'm currently on it and it was prescribed by my doctor for my diabetes. I just started it. Yes, the side effect may be weight loss for me, which will also directly help my diabetes in and of itself, but the weight-loss is only a side effect. But since so many are using it JUST for weight-loss, which their insurance probably doesn't cover, I sometimes have to wait because it's sold out. So me, having a legit reason to be on it due to my diabetes, can't always get it because someone else wants it just to lose weight.
- aantix 3y ago
  >just to lose weight You mean they "just" want to reduce their blood pressure, reduce their cholesterol, reduce their glucose, reduce their chances of cancer, stroke, coronary heart disease, all the while moving easier, having more energy, and not feel embarrassed by their weight any longer.
  - smileysteve 3y ago
    and reduce their chance of developing into diabetes. (There is high correlation between overweight to obese to be pre-diabetic or undiagnosed/untreated diabetic)
  - Aaronstotle 3y ago
    Those people could also lift weights and eat less. Ozempic works because it makes people feel full and stop eating, to lose weight without Ozempic. eat less and move more.
    - aantix 3y ago
      Taking Semaglutide gives an adherence advantage (with diet and exercise) vs. just diet/exercise alone. There was a 16% weight loss for those that received semaglutide/diet/exercise/counseling versus a loss of 5% for placebo those that received diet/exercise/counseling without semaglutide. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33625476/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33625476/
    - kthejoker2 3y ago
      Spoken like someone who's never had an eating disorder. Thanks for the non-helpful "advice" that's obvious to everyone on the planet.
      - GoofballJones 3y ago
        It's tantamount to people telling others with clinical depression to "just cheer up and stop feeling sorry for themselves. Have you tried not being depressed?"
briffle 3y ago
Yes, and its been turned into a seperate, identical drug, Wegovy, with different dosages to target weight loss.
taylodl 3y ago
Yes. Ozempic is a therapy for reducing A1C. The weight-loss and appetite suppression was a side effect. Generally speaking, weight loss is also good for lowering your A1C - so the side effect was a win.

arcticbull 3y ago

The, er, male enhancement "feature" of Viagra is a side-effect of its original use: blood pressure medicine. It's only a side-effect if it's secondary or undesirable. [edit] Or (setting aside the birth defects) curing multiple myeloma was a side-effect of thalidomide, which was originally given for morning sickness. And life extension is a promising potential side-effect of metformin.

chucksta 3y ago
>It's only a side-effect if it's secondary or undesirable. What is your point? that's the definition... A side effect of turning the light on is heat. "A peripheral or secondary effect, especially an undesirable secondary effect of a drug or therapy."

make3 3y ago

lots of pills are used for uses different from their original uses, & it's fine. see Viagra, that was supposed to be heart medication

GoofballJones 3y ago

I'm currently on it and it was prescribed by my doctor for my diabetes. I just started it. Yes, the side effect may be weight loss for me, which will also directly help my diabetes in and of itself, but the weight-loss is only a side effect. But since so many are using it JUST for weight-loss, which their insurance probably doesn't cover, I sometimes have to wait because it's sold out. So me, having a legit reason to be on it due to my diabetes, can't always get it because someone else wants it just to lose weight.

aantix 3y ago
>just to lose weight You mean they "just" want to reduce their blood pressure, reduce their cholesterol, reduce their glucose, reduce their chances of cancer, stroke, coronary heart disease, all the while moving easier, having more energy, and not feel embarrassed by their weight any longer.
- smileysteve 3y ago
  and reduce their chance of developing into diabetes. (There is high correlation between overweight to obese to be pre-diabetic or undiagnosed/untreated diabetic)
- Aaronstotle 3y ago
  Those people could also lift weights and eat less. Ozempic works because it makes people feel full and stop eating, to lose weight without Ozempic. eat less and move more.
  - aantix 3y ago
    Taking Semaglutide gives an adherence advantage (with diet and exercise) vs. just diet/exercise alone. There was a 16% weight loss for those that received semaglutide/diet/exercise/counseling versus a loss of 5% for placebo those that received diet/exercise/counseling without semaglutide. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33625476/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33625476/
  - kthejoker2 3y ago
    Spoken like someone who's never had an eating disorder. Thanks for the non-helpful "advice" that's obvious to everyone on the planet.
    - GoofballJones 3y ago
      It's tantamount to people telling others with clinical depression to "just cheer up and stop feeling sorry for themselves. Have you tried not being depressed?"

briffle 3y ago

Yes, and its been turned into a seperate, identical drug, Wegovy, with different dosages to target weight loss.

taylodl 3y ago

Yes. Ozempic is a therapy for reducing A1C. The weight-loss and appetite suppression was a side effect. Generally speaking, weight loss is also good for lowering your A1C - so the side effect was a win.