3 ms·

I've been watching a lot of "Ozempic experience" YT videos recently because a family member is considering it. It seems like by far the most common side effect

I've been watching a lot of "Ozempic experience" YT videos recently because a family member is considering it. It seems like by far the most common side effect is a few weeks of diarrhea. After that, some nausea. Overall, I get the impression that most people tolerate it well if they can accept the diarrhea, but a small portion aren't able to get past the side effects and discontinue. The more interesting number is that the vast majority of people who discontinue, even after long term use, regain 100% or more of the weight they lost. Weight loss doctors talk about this drug as something like statins which you'll likely need to take for the rest of your life. I think that's the area that needs the most improvement.

hotpotamus 3y ago
The NY Times Daily podcast had a pretty good episode a few weeks ago about the experience of two women who took the drug. One had a good experience and the other did not - it was interesting that she ended up malnourished while still obese. As far as regaining weight, I would think that absent required lifestyle changes, you would expect that people would regain weight once the drug is discontinued.
- cubefox 3y ago
  "Lifestyle changes" (eating less calories) alone would be sufficient to lose weight, but people presumably take semaglutide because they are always too hungry and can't realistically make those changes. It doesn't seem like the drug makes behavioral changes and easier when it isn't used anymore.
cubefox 3y ago
Unfortunately "improving" a medication to have a permanent instead of temporary effect doesn't seem to be a thing. E.g. Aspirin temporarily helps against headache, but there is still no pill you can take that cures headache permanently.
cj 3y ago
> majority of people who discontinue, even after long term use, regain 100% or more of the weight Is it known whether this is primarily psychological or physiological? Or in other words, is the weight gain simply caused by people returning to their poor diets/routines or is increased hunger (or something) a withdrawal symptom of the drug?
- stavros 3y ago
  As far as I know, it's because you return to your poor diet/routine. That's why the drug has to be a helper to improving your diet.
stavros 3y ago
> It seems like by far the most common side effect is a few weeks of diarrhea. After that, some nausea. I took it for a month or so, and those symptoms only happened when you ate heavy/fatty food. With salads and other light food, I didn't get any symptoms.
fatnoah 3y ago
My better half has been on Wegovy (same drug, but indicated for weight loss) for several months. No diarrhea, but definitely nausea that peaks on the injection day and then slowly recedes. Over time, the overall level has decreased. The effect of the drug has been for her to not always be thinking about food, and the amount of food required to feel full is dramatically reduced. It also forces slower eating because passing the full point results in the same very uncomfortable "I ate too much" feeling that used to require much more food before.
blodkorv 3y ago
>the vast majority of people who discontinue, even after long term use, regain 100% or more of the weight they lost Thats true for all weight loss. With or without drugs. Only surgery has a bit better stats on long term weightloss.
Gareth321 3y ago
So what you’re saying is NVO calls?

hotpotamus 3y ago

The NY Times Daily podcast had a pretty good episode a few weeks ago about the experience of two women who took the drug. One had a good experience and the other did not - it was interesting that she ended up malnourished while still obese. As far as regaining weight, I would think that absent required lifestyle changes, you would expect that people would regain weight once the drug is discontinued.

cubefox 3y ago
"Lifestyle changes" (eating less calories) alone would be sufficient to lose weight, but people presumably take semaglutide because they are always too hungry and can't realistically make those changes. It doesn't seem like the drug makes behavioral changes and easier when it isn't used anymore.

cubefox 3y ago

Unfortunately "improving" a medication to have a permanent instead of temporary effect doesn't seem to be a thing. E.g. Aspirin temporarily helps against headache, but there is still no pill you can take that cures headache permanently.

cj 3y ago

> majority of people who discontinue, even after long term use, regain 100% or more of the weight Is it known whether this is primarily psychological or physiological? Or in other words, is the weight gain simply caused by people returning to their poor diets/routines or is increased hunger (or something) a withdrawal symptom of the drug?

stavros 3y ago
As far as I know, it's because you return to your poor diet/routine. That's why the drug has to be a helper to improving your diet.

stavros 3y ago

> It seems like by far the most common side effect is a few weeks of diarrhea. After that, some nausea. I took it for a month or so, and those symptoms only happened when you ate heavy/fatty food. With salads and other light food, I didn't get any symptoms.

fatnoah 3y ago

My better half has been on Wegovy (same drug, but indicated for weight loss) for several months. No diarrhea, but definitely nausea that peaks on the injection day and then slowly recedes. Over time, the overall level has decreased. The effect of the drug has been for her to not always be thinking about food, and the amount of food required to feel full is dramatically reduced. It also forces slower eating because passing the full point results in the same very uncomfortable "I ate too much" feeling that used to require much more food before.

blodkorv 3y ago

>the vast majority of people who discontinue, even after long term use, regain 100% or more of the weight they lost Thats true for all weight loss. With or without drugs. Only surgery has a bit better stats on long term weightloss.

Gareth321 3y ago

So what you’re saying is NVO calls?