Given the tremendous demand for Ozempic, a popular drug used for treating diabetes and promoting weight loss, it is not uncommon to know someone who is either starting or already taking the medication. According to data from Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, US healthcare providers were issuing approximately 60,000 new weekly prescriptions for the drug as of April. However, since the drug is relatively new, there are far fewer patients who have been taking it for several years.
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Barbie Jackson-Williams, a 54-year-old from Iowa, shared that she began taking Ozempic in early 2021 to manage her Type 2 diabetes and lose weight. She explained that the medication has assisted her in making difficult changes, such as replacing her favorite pasta with lean proteins and eliminating sweetened iced coffees from her diet. Barbie Jackson-Williams lost a significant amount of weight, around 180 pounds, while taking Ozempic.
NBC News interviewed seven individuals who have been taking Ozempic for between one and a half and two and a half years. All of them acknowledge that the medication is not a quick fix for achieving good health. While Ozempic has helped them lose weight, lower their blood sugar levels, or both, they emphasize that maintaining these changes requires effort and commitment. Edward Matias, a 45-year-old resident of Connecticut, states that Ozempic is not a magical solution or the fountain of youth. It requires hard work and dedication, and individuals who expect to see results without making lifestyle changes will be disappointed.
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Matias, who has been taking Ozempic for a year and seven months, mentioned that he still needs to be cautious about consuming foods high in sugar or carbohydrates due to his diabetes. However, he has managed to drop his weight from around 310 pounds to 230 pounds while taking Ozempic. The majority of the interviewees agree that Ozempic serves as a catalyst for initiating lifestyle modifications. For example, it enables them to engage in physical activities that were previously challenging. According to Jackson-Williams, losing weight has resulted in increased energy levels and reduced desire to be sedentary. She no longer spends hours watching TV like she used to.
Ozempic and its counterpart medication, Wegovy, which has been approved as a weight loss treatment for obese or overweight individuals with weight-related medical conditions, are considered long-term or lifelong therapies. However, since Ozempic has only been on the market for less than six years and Wegovy for two, doctors and patients are still learning about the long-term effects of these drugs in real-time. Dr. Eduardo Grunvald, an obesity medicine physician at UC San Diego Health, mentioned that ongoing trials are needed to determine whether Ozempic and Wegovy reduce the risk of heart disease, as is the case with Trulicity, another weight loss drug in the same class. Additionally, there is a possibility that these drugs might impact bone density or increase the risk of thyroid cancer, as observed in animal studies involving Ozempic. However, the benefits of these drugs likely outweigh the potential risks.
According to Arnob Alam, who manages his prediabetes with Ozempic, the medication has enabled him to exercise more frequently, increasing his cardio workouts from two or three times a week to almost every day. He has also begun lifting weights. Alam states that while adjustments to diet and exercise are still necessary, Ozempic helps by preventing overeating. He adds that consuming excessive amounts of food makes him feel sick.
Jackson-Williams attributes her weight loss of 180 pounds to a combination of Ozempic and regular workouts. Previously, she weighed over 400 pounds, used an oxygen mask, and struggled to breathe while lying flat. Now, she can walk around the track and use the cross-trainer at the gym. Her blood sugar levels have dropped to prediabetic levels, and she no longer requires oxygen support. She describes her previous state as being dead from the waist down but now feels alive and full of energy.
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