Weight loss is a common goal shared by millions worldwide, so there are many diets, exercises, and other solutions to help you lose weight. Recently, social media has fueled enthusiasm for a new weight loss method: a class of drugs of GLP-1 agonists, which are more well-known as Wegovy and Ozempic. With this new weight loss phenomenon, plenty of people are riding on the bandwagon and taking these medications— including celebrities.
Although Ozempic is more well-known in recent months, many tend to forget that Wegovy is a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directly for weight loss. Here’s what you should know about these medications, how they work, which celebrities use them, and their opinions on the drug.
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What are Wegovy and Ozempic?
Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 analog. Produced by the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, it’s typically prescribed to people over a certain BMI or with at least one weight-related condition. The drug was approved by the FDA in 2021 for weight loss, and since then has since high demand.
As supply dwindled and made Wegovy difficult to access, people turned to Ozempic. The drug is also semaglutide, although it only has been recommended by the FDA for diabetes treatment. In late 2022, the drug became popular as more people took the medication off-label for weight loss and shared their progress via TikTok and other media platforms.
Regarding medications, “do weight loss pills work?” is a common question many people ask themselves. This depends on the type of medication taken, as some supplements haven’t been tested for safety or efficacy. Medical studies confirm that anti-obesity medications approved by the FDA are effective for weight loss. People lose 5-15% of their weight following prescribed use in the first six months of treatment.
In particular, Wegovy helps by curbing appetite and delaying gastric emptying so you feel fuller for longer. Ozempic works similarly to Wegovy, although it’s said to be a lower-dose version of the brand mentioned above.
Celebrities known for taking semaglutide
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Celebrities taking weight loss medications have always been a mixed bag— with some openly sharing that they take or once took semaglutide, while others outright deny taking these medications. One celebrity that has credited Wegovy and “fasting” to his weight loss is business magnate Elon Musk.
Model and Tiktok creator Remi Bader stated that she was previously prescribed semaglutide due to her pre-diabetic condition. However, she shortly regained weight after stopping the medication, citing, “My bingeing got so much worse, so then I kind of blamed Ozempic.”
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Some celebrities are speculated to use semaglutide but deny using any of the drugs, notably media personality Khloe Kardashian and actress Kyle Richards. These prominent celebrities cite strict diet and exercise as their main reasons for weight loss. Richards notes that these accusations are “frustrating,” highlighting how she “put a lot of effort into my diet and exercise and taking care of myself.”
Celebrity Perspective on weight loss medication
With the rise of users, both brands have become in short supply. This has made their use highly controversial among celebrities who weren’t prescribed for medical reasons. British actress Jameela Jamil expressed her concern over strong side effects, posting how “there is little to no discussion of the side effects in any advertising online.
I’m deeply concerned, but I can’t change any of your minds because fat phobia has our generation in a chokehold.” Fitness trainer and media personality Jillian Michaels has the same sentiments, noting how awful the medication side effects are. She adds that the medication doesn’t replace healthier habits, like building physical strength or eating healthy.
While these medications are effective for weight loss, it’s critical that people practice caution when using Ozempic or Wegovy and don’t blindly follow their favorite celebrities or influencers. For more lifestyle updates on celebrities, visit our celebrity category for more information.