It only took three years for the Ozempic craze to trickle down from the stars all the way to the pavements of little old Britain. Since it was approved by the FDA and subsequently discovered to be effective for weight loss, the diabetes drug (which contains the active ingredient semaglutide) has become a cultural phenomenon, widely used in Hollywood, Westminster and New York, as well as across the fashion industry. 

By summer this year, Google searches for Ozempic in the UK had ballooned by 900 per cent, while news story after news story continues to be published about the drug. On TikTok, the #Ozempic hashtag has more than 200 million views, with content ranging from weight loss results and Ozempic journeys to celebrity confessions and videos about the side effects of using weight loss injections.

Because of the sudden popularity, there is currently a national shortage of the drug; even people with diabetes are struggling to get their hands on it. This, in turn, has fuelled a surge in black market “skinny jabs”. Despite it being illegal to sell semaglutide without a prescription in the UK, there have been reports of people buying semaglutide injections from unregulated sellers, and dealing with side effects ranging from nausea to seizures. We have to say: if you are considering taking Ozempic it’s obviously better if you speak to your doctor and only take medication that’s actually prescribed to you. However, if you choose not to, here’s everything you need to know.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF OZEMPIC? 

“Fake Ozempic is a gamble with your health,” Dr Britta Reierson, a family physician and obesity medicine specialist tells Dazed. “It might be completely useless, or even worse, contain a different drug or contaminant that could cause severe blood sugar crashes, allergic reactions, or infections. Some fake Ozempic jabs have been found to contain dangerous amounts of insulin. “This can be dangerous because it can cause unexpected side effects or interact poorly with other medications you’re taking,” says Dr Reierson. Even now, health authorities have not been able to identify all the contents or potential risks of seized counterfeit Ozempic. It’s truly impossible to know what you’re getting, and impossible to know the side effects.

But even taking weight loss injections that do contain semaglutide, without medical supervision, can be dangerous. “You might experience nasty side effects without knowing how to manage them, take the wrong dosage and worsen existing health problems, or unknowingly trigger dangerous drug interactions,” says Dr Reierson. 

Most commonly, explains Dr Robert Klitzman, who has written a paper on the harms of Ozempic for weight loss, semaglutide causes gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and diarrhoea. In the most extreme cases, these symptoms, coupled with abdominal pain, stomach blockages, vomiting and the inability to properly digest food, may become chronic. This is known as stomach paralysis, and is of increasing concern to those researching Ozempic. Other potential complications include acute pancreatitis ileus, two other gastrointestinal issues. In fact, the side effects cause many people to quit using the drug, with new research finding that 75 per cent stop using semaglutide within the first two years of starting. 

There have also been reports of people taking Ozempic falling pregnant despite being on birth control, and the drug has been linked to a rare eye condition in patients with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic was also investigated for a suicide risk, but the latest research suggests that there is no link between semaglutide and suicidal thoughts. 

Other than that, though, Dr Klitzman worries that prolonged use of Ozempic for weight loss could cause some people to lose touch with what it actually means to be healthy, not just skinny. “Many people may now say, ‘I don’t need to watch my diet and weight or exercise, because if I get fat I can just take a drug,’” he says. “Yet exercise has multiple important benefits besides burning off calories, [such as] helping the heart, strengthening bones, aiding the brain, improving mental health, mood, thinking and cognitive abilities, and helping prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. So people who don’t exercise because they feel they can instead take a pill to reduce their weight, miss these other benefits of physical exercise.”

HOW TO SPOT FAKE OZEMPIC 

To spot fake Ozempic, says Dr Reierson, you should check the packaging and label for typos, correct drug info, and manufacturer (Novo Nordisk). “If you have a real pen, compare everything closely,” she says. “Look for correctly spelled labels and a design layout. Look for a dose dial that doesn’t extend while setting the dose and avoid pens with substandard needles. Be wary of specific lot/serial numbers and only buy Ozempic from legitimate, reputable pharmacies with a prescription to avoid counterfeits and potential health risks.” 

Other red flags include open seals, funky colours, poor print quality, and unusual fonts.

Most importantly, if your jabs aren’t coming from a GP, they’re not regulated. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so get a consultation with your doctor and stay legit.

HOW TO USE IT SAFELY

Follow the correct dosage

The dosage of semaglutide needs to be increased gradually, and ideally administered by a medical professional. Taking too much can lead to a severe and dangerous drop in blood pressure, which is why the schedules – one injection per week, on the same day – are fairly strict, so it’s vital to make sure you take the right amount at the right time. If you miss a dose by more than five days, make sure to skip it until the following week

Inject safely

As Dr Reierson explains: “injecting Ozempic safely means targeting the fatty layer under your skin (subcutaneous) to avoid muscle or vein damage.” To inject safely, make sure to wash your hands and the injection site well, rotate your injection spot every week (it’s recommended to inject your stomach, thighs or upper arms) and never share needles. 

“Disposing of used needles in a sharps container is crucial to prevent the spread of serious diseases like HIV or hepatitis that can live on used needles and enter the bloodstream if shared between individuals,” says Dr Reierson. “Always follow your medication instructions and consult your doctor with any questions about safe injection practices.”

Don’t take it if you’re pregnant or have an ongoing health issue 

Research on semaglutide and its side effects is still limited. It’s vital you speak to a healthcare professional before taking it. This is particularly true for anyone having thyroid problems or with thyroid cancer history in the family, as well as those with kidney, pancreas or stomach problems.

Remember, it’s not a miracle drug

Finally, as Dr Klitzman notes, semaglutide is not a miracle drug, especially not for weight loss. All semaglutide really does is reduce your appetite, causing you to eat less. And, vitally, it doesn’t work for everyone.

“Medications do not work for everyone, have side effects, are extremely expensive, have to be taken every month for the rest of one’s life,” he says, “They are not an answer for everyone who thinks they might benefit from them.”

With this in mind, he says, even if you’re taking Ozempic, you should continue to exercise regularly and eat a nutritious, balanced diet. “Many of us should watch our diet, eat healthy and nutritious foods, and try to avoid junk food, and exercise regularly, to avoid getting overweight or obese, or to lose weight,” he says. “These efforts are not always easy, but are vital to living long, healthy, enjoyable lives.”