- The American Food and Drug Administration is reporting shortages of Ozempic, the common type 2 diabetes drug
- Ozempic has gained popularity on social platform TikTok as a weight loss drug
- Celebrities and influencers are reportedly taking the medication to lose weight
A common drug for type 2 diabetes is in short supply again due to its popularity on social media platform TikTok.
Ozempic, a medication taken by injection, is taken weekly by people with type 2 diabetes to control blood glucose levels alongside diet and exercise.
Videos have trended on TikTok with hashtags #Ozempic and #OzempicWeightLoss that showcase dramatic weight loss transformations by people taking the medication. The videos have garnered millions of views.
Many people featured in the videos do not have type 2 diabetes.
The shortage, which is at least in-part attributed to its popularity as a weight loss drug on TikTok, has caused the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA to report a national shortage.
The Food and Drug Administration has Ozempic listed on its website as “in shortage”.
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- Speak to people with type 2 diabetes in the Diabetes Forum
As a result, people with type 2 diabetes are struggling to get the medications they require to treat their condition.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is manufactured by Novo Nordisk, who have a similar medication in the market which has been approved for weight loss in people with obesity.
The drug contains semaglutide.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist which works by increasing insulin secretion, increasing blood sugar removal and improving glycemic control.
Ozempic has side effects including constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Other medications in the GLP-1 family include bydureon (Exenatide), byetta (Exenatide), trulicity (Dulaglutide) and victoza (Liraglutide).
What should I do if I am prescribed Ozempic?
Patients with type 2 diabetes who are normally prescribed Ozempic have been told to speak to their doctor about switching to an alternative medication.
