Ozempic, Wegovy for weight loss, note, moderation, commonsense! safe? CBS: 'Ozempic side effects could lead to hospitalization — and doctors warn that long-term impacts remain unknown'

by Paul Alexander

talk to your doctor first, moderation, common sense always; eat healthier, healthier life style, active living, energy in must = energy out; exercise moderation, common sense, BENEFITS vs RISK

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ozempic-side-effects-weight-loss-drugs-wegovy-mounjaro-doctors-warn/

Drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy are extremely effective for weight loss. But shedding pounds isn't the only change patients might experience. 

Tirzepatide — sold under the brand name Mounjaro — and semaglutide — sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy — are administered once a week by shot. Mounjaro is known as a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist while Ozempic and Wegovy are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Mounjaro and Ozempic were initially sold as diabetes medications, while Wegovy is specifically for weight loss. Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss; Ozempic and Mounjaro are not.

These drugs were originally prescribed to patients with Type 2 diabetes as they produce insulin and lower blood sugar. They also release a hormone that slows down digestion and keeps food in a patient's stomach longer. This process suppresses hunger and leads to weight loss — but that can take a toll on the body. 

What are the most typical side effects?

The most common side effects of Ozempic, according to the drug's website, are nausea, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea and vomiting. 

What are the most extreme side effects?

Other serious side effects of Ozempic include thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, changes in vision, hypoglycemia, gallbladder issues, kidney failure and cancer.

The most severe complications Shah sees in her patients are pancreatitis and gallbladder issues — either can lead to hospitalization.

Yes, there are effects of obesity yet you must weigh the side effects of the drug and whether you can get to where you need to be via healthier life styles, moderation, healthy diet, exercise etc. You must always consider the risks, not just the benefits. If the benefit is modest yet for big risk, cost, burden, harms etc., then it is not worth it and you would place more value on avoiding that more certain potential risk for a small and uncertain potential benefit. This is how you must think of these issues.