What happens to your body when you take Ozempic - from wrinkles to snoring
In September 2023 a 'miracle' drug claiming to help aid weight loss became available on the NHS - but that's not all it apparently does to the body.
Wegovy is a weekly injection which suppresses appetite by increases insulin sensitivity and suppresses appetite. A lower dose known as Ozempic is used to manage blood glucose levels in those with type 2 diabetes.
In September last year, manufacturer Novo Nordisk launched in the UK with the specific aim of weight loss - and it's only available though specialist NHS weight management services. It's only being considered for those who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or more, have a weight-related health condition, and have tried to lose weight through conventional methods and it hasn't worked. Also those who have a BMI of 30 to 34.9 can be considered if they have been referred to a specialist weight management clinic.
A study, funded by the drug's makers Novo Nordisk, found that people lost an average of 15% of their body weight when they used Wegovy for 15 months, when used alongside lifestyle support from a professional to change their eating and exercise habits. However, long-term risks are still being studied - and it has been found to have both positive and some negative effects on the body so far.
The drug is currently being prescribed as a weight loss treatment because it stops you feeling as hungry. It does so by mimicking the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is normally released after we've eaten. It also works by slowing down digestion, which means you'll feel fuller for longer
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Wasim Hanif, professor of diabetology and endocrinology at University Hospital Birmingham, explained that while it might normally take just five or 10 minutes for the food you've eaten to leave your stomach - with GLP-1 drugs it takes an hour or more.
But according to the doctor, there is a downside to this. He explained to The Daily Mail: "Studies show around one in 100 people on the drugs develop gastroparesis (or stomach paralysis), where stomach muscle contractions become too weak to digest food and pass it on to the intestines; this can cause nausea and vomiting. Around half those who develop gastroparesis also become constipated."
Two other ways it can help people lose weight is that it slightly increases the number of calories burned at rest, and some people also found it curbs the desire to drink alcohol. There are also many health benefits to losing weight, including reducing the risk of heart attack and reducing blood sugar levels.
You might also find yourself to be more energetic. Wasim explained: "People may not notice much difference in the first three months, but once they start to lose weight they tell me their energy levels improve."
Aside from weight loss, those using Wegovy might also find they are snoring less, as it's a common complaint among those who are obese. The excess fat around the neck can put pressure on the airways, and can even lead to obstructure sleep apnoea, where breathing is interrupted while they sleep.
But it's also been found to have some negative effects on the body - including increased burps. Wasim explained: "Anecdotal reports from the US, where Wegovy-like drugs for obesity and type 2 diabetes have been in use for much longer than in the UK, suggest some users can develop foul-smelling 'rotten egg' burps."
While you might lose weight, it could also have the opposite effect on your face, as there have been reports of accelerated facial ageing - including more wrinkles and saggier skin. This makes sense, as facial fat tends to smooth out wrinkles and cushions skin - so when this disappears it can appear saggy.
Keep in mind that you can only take Wegovy is you are prescribed them by a specialist weight management service. If you're worried about your weight, or think this might be an option for you, speak to your GP.
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