Tesla CEO Elon Musk caused quite a stir recently when he humorously posed as an Ozempic Santa on Twitter, and gave Ozempic pens as gifts to those on his “nice list.”

His cheeky post sparked even more interest in Ozempic not just as a diabetes medication but as the latest weight loss wonder drug.

Advertisement

With high-profile figures like Musk endorsing Ozempic, it is no surprise that the drug has gained immense popularity, both in the West and in countries like India.

But is it the magic bullet many think it is, or just another quick fix that comes with risks?

“Ozempic, also known as semaglutide, is a medication used to help people with Type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar. It works by increasing insulin production, lowering sugar release from the liver, and slowing down digestion. One of its side effects is weight loss, which has made it popular among non-diabetics who want to lose weight quickly,” diabetic educator and FIT India ambassador Komal Patel told The Statesman in an e-mail interview.

“The West has a way of turning even the most basic trends into pop culture phenomena and the Indian subcontinent often follows suit without question. Now Ozempic has taken the West by storm, with celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Kathy Bates openly sharing their use of the drug,” she said.

Recently, Karan Johar has been speculated to be using the drug, with many pointing to his newly chiseled look.

Patel said cosmetic procedures have become a common part of everyday life, which is why it is crucial for celebrities to endorse such choices responsibly.

“While their use of Ozempic is a personal decision, it is important to remember that their access to personalized healthcare does not reflect the reality for most of their followers. After all, we are living in an era where we should prioritize actual fitness over merely looking fit,” she added.

You are probably wondering if you should jump on the bandwagon!

“Yes, Ozempic promises rapid weight loss, but it is far from a sustainable fix. The weight often comes back once the drug is discontinued, especially without adopting lasting lifestyle changes. Plus, Ozempic carries a range of side effects – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and for non-diabetics, risks like hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), dizziness and fatigue.

“Serious complications such as pancreatitis and kidney issues, make unsupervised use risky. At Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 per month, Ozempic is costly, and buying from unregulated sources increases the likelihood of counterfeit products and further health risks,” the fitness educator said.

She added that while Ozempic may offer short-term results, sustainable weight loss is best achieved through consistent, healthy habits.

Indeed, there are no shortcuts to a healthy and fulfilling life.