I had a few conversations during meal times and playing bridge here at THD, that one of our fellow residents here is taking the new drug Ozempic for obesity. I also have relatives that are contemplating taking obesity drugs if these new drugs are effective without harmful side effects(suicidal thoughts). Here's the side effects for Ozempic as listed in the product insert:
Ozempic® may cause serious side effects, including:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Ozempic® and call your health care provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back.
- changes in vision. Tell your health care provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Ozempic®.
- low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Ozempic® with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: dizziness or Iightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, and feeling jittery.
- kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration.
- serious allergic reactions. Stop using Ozempic® and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; problems breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fainting or feeling dizzy; or very rapid heartbeat.
- gallbladder problems. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who take Ozempic®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get symptoms which may include: pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools.
The most common side effects of Ozempic® may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain, and constipation.
This morning I read in the New York Times that acceptance of the new drugs for obesity are waning because of the side effects and its costs. So I did some search and here are the links for your information and reading pleasure.
https://www.axios.com/2023/07/31/obesity-drugs-fda-side-effects
There are a few new drugs under development besides Ozempic and Wegovy that are more effective and less costly.
Why New Drugs/Medications are Expensive: https://thesciencebehindit.org/why-do-drugs-cost-so-much/#:~:text=When%20a%20new%20drug%20reaches,and%20never%20reach%20the%20market.
Today News on Wegovy:
The popular obesity drug Wegovy cuts the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, by 20%, drugmaker Novo Nordisk said Tuesday.
The findings are the first to demonstrate that a weight-loss drug has medical benefits beyond weight reduction.
Novo Nordisk hasn't yet released the full trial results, but the study may be compelling enough to get insurance companies to provide coverage for the expensive medication, said Dr. Shauna Levy, a specialist in obesity medicine and the medical director of the Tulane Bariatric Center in New Orleans.
Many people who take Wegovy have had trouble getting insurance to cover the weekly injections, which cost more than $1,300 for a month's supply, because the medication hasn't been considered medically necessary.
“Twenty percent is huge,” Levy said. “All of this narrative about people just wanting this for cosmetic reasons, I think, to some degree, has overshadowed all of the health benefits we can get from this medication.”
1 comment:
The best obesity drug is to eat healthy foods and avoid overeating.
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