A HEALTH expert on Tuesday said that Ozempic, a medication primarily used to treat diabetes, can be safely used for weight loss but only for individuals who are overweight or obese and under medical supervision.
During the “8 Billion Reasons to Act on Obesity: Stronger Heart, Healthier Kidneys, Better Diabetes Control” event held in Manila, Dr. Elaine Cunanan, vice president of the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Inc. (PCEDM), explained that semaglutide — the generic name of Ozempic — has been proven effective in helping individuals lose weight, even those without diabetes.
“Ozempic was originally developed to lower blood sugar levels in diabetic patients, but it was later discovered to have a side effect of weight loss. This led to further studies, which confirmed its effectiveness in helping overweight and obese individuals shed pounds,” Cunanan said.
She noted, however, that the drug should not be taken without medical supervision.
“These drugs are good for diabetes and particularly for those who are obese. But it’s better to be supervised by a physician because we have criteria to determine the needs of the patient who is obese,” she explained.
Cunanan said Ozempic may be prescribed for those without diabetes or other comorbidities if they meet certain criteria.
She added that the drug may also be recommended for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher, who already have related conditions such as fatty liver, cardiovascular disease, heart attack, or stroke, as these patients are likely to benefit the most from the treatment.
She warned the public against using unregulated versions of Ozempic, which are often sold online.
While acknowledging its effectiveness, Cunanan urged the public not to rely solely on the drug but also to adopt healthier lifestyle habits.
“Eat healthy, exercise. Don’t just rely on the medication,” she said.