Ozempic has been a hugely divisive topic in recent months, with fans noticing their favourite celebrities suddenly losing weight in a short period.
The life-changing drug was introduced in 2018 in America and Canada for treating people with type 2 diabetes by managing blood sugar levels. But in recent years, it has been used by many celebrities to aid in their weight loss. A side effect of the drug is that it slows down how quickly food is digested and can reduce your appetite.
In recent months, celebrities, such as model Lottie Moss and icon Sharon Osbourne, have come out to share the terrifying dangers of misusing Ozempic. Meanwhile, stars such as Christina Aguilera recently concerned fans when she showcased her much slimmer figure with many accusing her of using Ozempic.
Sharing a video of her at a boot camp in West Hollywood recently resulted in fans airing their concerns. One said she looked good but was getting ' a little concerned because she's getting too skinny'. However, she previously said her recent weight loss had nothing to do with focusing on “being skinny”, and she said her mental health had been impacted due to being targeted for her petite frame when she burst onto the music scene 25 years ago.
Shenaz Shariff, the founder of The Face and Body Clinic and a Registered Nutritionist, has warned celebrities against using the drug as a 'quick fix' and stated it sets 'unrealistic standards' for their fans.
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The expert, who has over 30 years of experience as both a practitioner and Nutritionist, told Mirror Online: "Using it as a quick fix for losing weight skips the essentials of long-term health which is balanced eating and regular physical activity. Relying on medications like this rather than lifestyle changes can set unrealistic standards, especially for their fans who may be tempted to follow the same shortcut."
Although the long-term side effects of using the drug for weight loss aren't fully known, some immediate effects include "nausea, diarrhoea, and stomach pain along with more serious risks like thyroid tumours, pancreatitis and gallbladder problems have also been reported."
Just last month, Lottie Moss warned against using Ozempic as she shared her terrifying story of overdosing on it. She told fans she suffered a seizure due to dehydration as she couldn't keep any food or water down. told her Dream On with Lottie Moss podcast that her face and hands clenching up was one of the 'scariest' things she has ever gone through. Medical professionals told her that the dosage she was injecting into her leg would have been prescribed to someone who weighed at least 100 kilos.
The star admitted she would 'rather die than take it again'. Even Sharon warned against using the drug as she admitted she struggled to gain any weight back after losing too much. Her husband Ozzy Osbourne even told her he was 'scared' something would happen to her. Meanwhile, her daughter Kelly denied ever using the injections and claimed her weight loss was due to cutting out sugar and carbs.
Shenaz reminded people that celebrities also manage to lose weight so quickly due to a team of nutritionists, trainers and medical professionals helping them reach their goals safely. She continued: "Using Ozempic just to lose a few kilos is risky and dangerous. The drug isn’t intended for minor weight loss and improper use can lead to serious health issues like seizures, as seen with Lottie Moss.
"When celebrities promote this behaviour, it sends a harmful message to their followers that can encourage them to misuse the drug without medical advice. Taking prescription medications for quick results is unsafe and can cause lasting damage along with setting unrealistic standards."
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