The story so far: The dramatic weight loss of Kim and Khloe Kardashian and other celebrities has been rumoured to be the work of an injectable drug, Ozempic, that's been called 'Hollywood's worst kept secret'.
Ozempic is the brand name for the medication semaglutide, which treats diabetes by balancing out hormones like insulin. The Food and Drug Administration approved semaglutide for obesity treatment in 2021, making it the first FDA-approved weight management medication since 2014.
Earlier, Kim and Khloe were accused that they both were taking Hollywood's fad weight-loss drug, Ozempic for weight loss. Both sisters have rejected claims using any unnatural means and said that it's because of diet and exercise.
Kardashian fans suspected that Khloe and sister Kim had used Ozempic to lose 16 pounds in time for the Met Gala, unwittingly prompting huge demand for obesity drug. Kim later asserted that she had lost weight in a healthy way, commenting on how diet, a sauna suit, and twice-daily runs have helped.
If Ozempic wasn't mainstream before, it definitely is now – Jimmy Kimmel joking about A-listers using the drug during the 2023 Oscars proved as much. Elon Musk and Amy Schumer have admitted to taking the weight-loss drug while other celebrities, such as Khloé Kardashian and RHOBH star Kyle Richards, have denied it.
Higher doses do not provide additional body weight reduction benefits but may increase side effects. It can take 3-4 months to achieve the maximum weight loss at a stable dose. Weight loss may continue for up to 2 years on Ozempic based on studies.
Why the Ozempic shortage happened. The worldwide shortage of semaglutide started to affect Australia in early 2022 when Novo Nordisk couldn't supply enough Ozempic to meet an unexpected increase in demand due to off-label prescribing for weight loss.
Closely related to fried, greasy foods and snacks, highly saturated fats (including trans fats) are known to exacerbate GI issues. Every day staples like whole milk, heavy cream, full-fat cheese, butter, ice cream and most red meats may cause additional gastrointestinal distress for someone on Ozempic.
If you qualify for insurance coverage, Ozempic can cost as little as $25 for a monthly supply. However, without insurance, Ozempic costs around $892.06 per month, on average (NovoCare-a, 2022). However, savings programs can sometimes help lower the cost of the medication if you qualify.
A study found that at the highest dose of Wegovy (2.4 mg), patients lost on average 15% of their total body weight after 1 year. In patients with diabetes, one study showed that taking Ozempic at the highest dose of 2 mg led to on average ~15 lbs (6.9 kg) weight loss after 40 weeks.
You Will Regain Weight
Because people stop feeling full and their food cravings return when they stop Ozempic, weight gain is likely, Kushner says.
How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health. Critics also worried about the physical effects of copying her methods.
While metformin is a more common first-choice medication for Type 2 diabetes, weight loss is more likely with Ozempic. Ozempic can also lower your risk of heart attack and stroke if you have diabetes and heart disease. And it has been shown to have potential benefits for the kidneys.
According to Healthy Balance, Kim Kardashian's 3-week weight loss journey involved her cutting carbs and eating “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” When it came to working out, Kim ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day.
Side Effects: Diabetes treatments that are used to lose weight, like Ozempic, can reduce people's desire to drink alcohol and their obsessive thinking about food. The drugs carry serious risks including malnutrition and facial aging; going off the drugs can also take a toll.
On average, a user can lose about 3 to 5% of their body weight after using Ozempic for a month regularly. This equates to about 4 to 6 pounds on average. Using a higher potency of the drug may result in more weight loss, but it isn't recommended that you start taking it right away.
Ozempic can cause nausea and vomiting if taken after eating foods high in fat or sugar. It is recommended that you take Ozempic before meals, rather than after, to minimise any potential side effects from eating high-fat or high-sugar foods.
Ozempic is also used off-label for weight loss. In particular, it can help reduce the amount of belly fat. This is because Ozempic works by making you feel fuller for longer, which can help you resist overeating by controlling cravings and hunger.
Can I enjoy a drink while on Ozempic medication? The short answer is yes: You can drink alcohol while taking Ozempic.
If you stop taking Ozempic, the weight you lost will likely return, fast. People who ceased use of semaglutide gained back, on average, a full two-thirds of the weight they had lost on the drug within one year, according to an August 2022 study, the Wall Street Journal reports.
On the PBS, Ozempic costs Australians about $42 a month (four weekly injections). On a private prescription, the cost is about $132 a month. According to the medical news website WebMD, Ozempic can cost uninsured Americans more than a $US1000 a month and many flock to Canada to save $US700 a month.
Semaglutide is commonly known as Ozempic, the brand name for the drug when prescribed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Ozempic has been widely used off-label for weight loss; the same drug, branded as Wegovy, is now approved for weight management in Australia, but is not currently available.
How Long Can You Stay on Ozempic (semaglutide)? A person can stay on Ozempic® so long as they are tolerating the medication and it is deemed appropriate by their treating provider. There is no specific time frame when someone should stop taking Ozempic as it is a medication that is intended for chronic (long-term) use.