ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

Dangerous Weight Loss Trend On TikTok Causes Global Shortage Of This Diabetes Drug

Ozempic is an injectable drug that has a secondary effect on appetite control.
PUBLISHED DEC 19, 2023
Cover image soure: Pexels | Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich
Cover image soure: Pexels | Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich

A popular type-2 diabetes drug is facing a global shortage following a surge in demand due to its ability to help in weight loss. As per reports, the demand has been primarily fuelled by a TikTok trend where users shared their weight loss journey using the drug Ozempic, which is being promoted as an injectable aid that helps reduce appetite and lose weight by doing nothing. The #ozempic on TikTok has over 1.3 billion views on the platform. Ozempic comes with an expensive price tag averaging $1,000.

Ozempic is an injectable drug produced by the Danish company Novo Nordisk. It helps regulate blood sugar levels and insulin. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2017 and has been in short supply in the U.S. since 2022, as per NBC. The drug contains semaglutide, which mimics a hormone that stimulates the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar levels rise and plays a secondary role in appetite control. It is used as a once-weekly injection to control blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. 

Photo illustration of boxes of the diabetes drug Ozempic | Getty Images | Photo illustration by Mario Tama
Photo illustration of boxes of the diabetes drug Ozempic | Getty Images | Photo illustration by Mario Tama

While weight loss is a known side effect in diabetic patients who are on semaglutide drugs, Ozempic is not prescribed for weight loss purposes only. There is another version of semaglutide called Wegovy, which is used as a weight management injection.

The trend started on TikTok with users showing off their weight loss journey with the drug. People have shared several video testimonies including before and after pictures of the weight loss.

Even Kim Kardashian was rumored to have used the drug to wear the Marilyn Monroe’s dress for the Met Gala (a claim she has denied) and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has also tweeted about being influenced to use the drug.



 

This has led to the followers of these users also opting for the drug without conducting proper research on the usage of the drug. The rise of the trend has coincided with the high demand for the drug resulting in its global shortage. Despite the company specifically stating it is not for weight loss, people are using it.

As per the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the maker of the drug, Novo Nordisk has all Ozempic presentations on intermittent backorder. It is releasing the stock as it becomes available.

Further, France's drug safety agency has stated that it is ramping up surveillance measures to ensure the sale and the use of Ozempic are limited to patients with type 2 diabetes.

There is also a shortage of Ozempic in Australia that is expected to continue to disrupt supply for another "few months" as per Euronews. Authorities in Australia and the UK have also issued warnings to influencers promoting these drugs.

As for the U.S., the shortage is expected to last through March 2023, as per NBC. Thus, it has become harder to obtain for patients who need it. The shortage has consequences not only for patients with diabetes who need to follow their treatment daily but also for the people who are turning to these drugs exclusively for weight loss.

Regarding the shortage, Novo Nordisk has stated that it is investing $2.3 billion to expand its production capacity. 



 

Ozempic’s official website states that the drug is proven to improve blood sugar in adult Type 2 Diabetes patients, who use the drug along with diet and exercise. It claims that the drug can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attack, or death. However, the website also cautions that medicine could have serious side effects like possible thyroid tumors, including cancer.



 

Further, the European Medicines Agency state that nausea, diarrhoea and hypoglycaemia are "very common" side effects of the drug.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
'I have to say that I haven't seen very many of these,' expert Bill Harriman said, before revealing its potential value.
2 hours ago
This coin survived the Titanic, but it was too expensive for Rick Harrison to bag.
4 hours ago
The guest had preserved her great-grandmother's necklace for 35 years, unaware that it was a rare Louis Comfort Tiffany piece.
5 hours ago
Even though contestant Vicki Rowe took the loss gracefully, fans weren't happy with the unsual Bonus Round puzzle.
6 hours ago
Even though Rick Harrison made a bold bid for the car that was verified, the guest decided to keep it.
8 hours ago
According to the expert, personal letters and a signature from Tolkien himself added to the value of the book.
1 day ago
Chistina and Katie Currie won over $88,000 in cash and two exotic vacations with their stunning performance.
1 day ago
After everyone backed out, the billionaire Shark stepped up to help the founder of Diaper Dust.
2 days ago
Sun kept repeating the incorrect phrase but couldn't identify the error in time.
2 days ago
After almost closing a deal with Mr Wonderful, the founder of 'Simply Good Jars' pivoted hard.
2 days ago
The host thought it was the "worst possible answer" to give even as the team felt it was good enough.
3 days ago
Adding to the controversy, the owner of Dr. Mudd's lapdesk asked Harrison for $100,000.
3 days ago
With just milliseconds to spare, Sarah LaPilusa pulled off an incredible Bonus Round win.
3 days ago
Ozark Trail 64 oz Water Bottles were recalled after the lids of faulty bottles forcefully ejected.
4 days ago
The player laughed and giggled her way through the puzzles to win prizes worth over $57,000.
4 days ago
Scott Riccardi placed an unbelievable wager during Final Jeopardy! to win a massive amount in a day!
4 days ago
The guest got a 200% return on investment on her sculpture that she bought from Macy's.
4 days ago
Jennings had a record-setting winning streak as a contestant before he became the host.
5 days ago
The player, Ron Wheeler, tragically got no clues after his letter picks for the final puzzle.
5 days ago
The former kids champion, Skyler Hornback knew what was coming.
5 days ago