“Do Not Try to Buy It and Start It Yourself”: A Dubai Doctor Weighs in On Ozempic

Bazaar Arabia speaks to Cornerstone Clinic’s Dr Ruhil Badiani, as she shares her insight on the medication…

Often described as a miracle drug for weight loss by those who have used it Ozempic, which is the brand name of Semaglutide, is a medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes. The drug, which is administered through injection, can also be used as an anti-obesity medication for patients who require long-term weight management.

The FDA-approved ingredient that is sold under brand names Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Ozempic, works by making the patient feel full for longer through deceleration in gastric emptying and regulates one’s appetite with the help of GLP-1, which improves the secretion of insulin, resulting in quicker weight loss.

Patients with diabetes have reported a decline in the availability of Ozempic in the UAE, which can be credited to the sudden demand for the drug due to the rising trend of its usage for weight loss on social media and among celebrities.

“I used Ozempic for a few months until it went out of stock,” said Mr. Gupta, a Dubai resident with Type 2 diabetes who has since switched to an alternative recommended by his physician. Patients have been struggling to find the medication due to its unforeseen resurgence among individuals looking to use it for weight loss.

Dubai-based Dr. Ruhil Badiani, a family medicine physician at Cornerstone Clinic shares her insight on the drug which has been dubbed a miracle cure for weight loss.

Can you get Ozempic in Dubai?

Ozempic is available in Dubai on prescription. However, there is an issue with supply and many pharmacies do not have stock of it.

Is Ozempic safe to take if you don’t have Diabetes?

There is nothing inherently dangerous with taking Ozempic if you are not diabetic, but as with any medication, there are side effects that can be severe.

Have you seen an increase in patients asking for it in recent times?

I have had an increasing number of patients wishing to start Ozempic, but many are unable to due to the low supply in the region.

What are the side effects of taking Ozempic?

Side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, low blood sugar, changes in your vision, gallstones, possible thyroid tumours, and pancreatitis.

How does consuming Ozempic impact one’s relationship with food?

Ozempic helps reduce food intake by lowering appetite and slowing digestion, causing many people to lose weight while taking Ozempic. Patients stay fuller for longer and need less food to fill up.

Are we seeing a resurgence in the 90s craze of using miracle cures to achieve quick results?

Miracle cures of the 90s often had no evidence to back them up, Ozempic and similar medications have been shown to be an effective tool in treating obesity for the right patient. The problem lies in those who do not need to want to lose weight, those with normal or a little raised BMIs.

What are the long-term consequences of using appetite-suppressant medications like Ozempic?

Ozempic was approved in the US only in 2017 so we do not have the data to know the long-term consequences yet. However, it has been shown to reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular problems and other conditions related to obesity. It is important to note that when Ozempic is stopped, it is very likely that most will regain the weight as the appetite will return and blood sugar levels will climb up again.

How does this affect the pharmaceutical industry?

As more and more people try to use Ozempic, the problem lies in the supply of the medication. Those that need it, Type 2 diabetics, are not receiving the medication that they very much need.

How are the patients who need the medicine for their Type 2 diabetes being affected by this?

Without medication, people with Type 2 diabetes risk blood sugar spikes that can potentially lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, hearing loss, and stroke. Even in the short term, they can feel quite poorly from the high blood sugar levels. Those that can not get the medications often have to switch to one that is more readily available, which may not be as effective.

Do you have any advice to share with those who are considering using the medication?

If this is a medication you would like to consider, it is very important to discuss it with your doctor before starting, and, please, do not try to buy it and start it yourself.

Answers as told to Amulya Kundran.

Lead Image Courtesy of Unsplash.