At the 2023 Oscars, presenter Jimmy Kimmel joked about the rumored use of Ozempic, a diabetes drug, as a weight loss formula by Hollywood A-listers. While the joke was made in good humor, it highlights the need for a serious conversation about the supervised use of the drug, as its side effects are not pretty. Ozempic, also known as Semaglutide, is a new weight-loss medicine that has shown remarkable results in helping participants lose around 15-20% of their body weight. However, it should not be the first-line treatment for obesity and has gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea for the first few weeks. It should be prescribed to those who are obese and have some sort of dysfunction because of this obesity, such as diabetes or fatty liver disease, those who are obese but cannot lose weight the traditional way, and those who are obese with uncontrolled diabetes despite taking medicines. Therefore, it cannot be relied upon as just a weight loss drug and must be used under the supervision of a doctor

While Ozempic has cosmetic appeal as a weight loss drug, its true benefits lie in its ability to help control blood glucose levels in Type 2 diabetics. It has been found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with Type 2 diabetes as well. As obesity becomes an increasing health burden for India, with an estimated 9.5% of all men and 13.9% of all women predicted to be obese by 2040, Ozempic offers a close-to-magic-bullet solution to the problem. However, caution must be exercised when prescribing the drug, as it is likely to be expensive when it becomes available in India and has shown side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea for the first few weeks. Overall, while Ozempic offers hope for weight loss and controlling Type 2 diabetes, it must be used under the guidance of a doctor and cannot be relied upon as a stand-alone weight loss solution.

The reference to Ozempic at the Oscars highlights the need for a serious conversation about its supervised use, as the side effects can be problematic. While it is effective in helping study participants lose around 15-20% of their body weight, it should not be the first-line treatment for obesity for all. It should be prescribed to those who are obese and have some sort of dysfunction because of this obesity, those who are obese but cannot lose weight the traditional way, and those who are obese with uncontrolled diabetes despite taking medicines. Additionally, caution is needed when prescribing Ozempic in India, as it has shown ill effects in earlier cousins of the drug. Overall, Ozempic offers a promising solution for weight loss and controlling Type 2 diabetes, but it must be used judiciously and under medical supervision.