Wegovy and Ozempic: The Fashion Industry’s Buzziest New Weight Loss Products
Weight loss has long been a hot topic among Hollywood celebrities and the fashion industry. People who want to lose weight and achieve their ideal body shape or size will have heard of Wegovy and Ozempic — arguably two of the most popular weight loss drugs available today. In fact, the demand for them has been so high that they remain on the FDA's list of drug shortages today. Market demand has skyrocketed, so much so that people are turning towards off-brand versions of the drugs, which may contain the same ingredients but in different dosages. The FDA warns that these versions of the drugs may not be safe or effective and have not been approved for use in people. However, what exactly are Wegovy and Ozempic, and do you need them? This post will explore the two so-called "miracle weight loss drugs," how effective they are, and whether or not you need them: What are Wegovy and Ozempic?
While both seem to serve the same purpose and may seem interchangeable, there's a critical difference between the two. Firstly, Ozempic was approved by the FDA for diabetes treatment in 2017, whereas Wegovy was approved for people who have obesity or are overweight and have additional health problems in 2021. But how are they accomplishing these treatments?
Both WeGovy and Ozempic are semaglutides, which are considered GLP-1 agonists. Glucagon-like peptides (GLP-1) are gut hormones that specialized cells release in your intestinal tract after eating. The medical community has found that using GLP-1 for weight loss allows users to feel less hungry, have fewer cravings or thoughts of food, and feel more full in between meals.
Today, semaglutide is considered the GLP-1 agonist that can currently help the most with weight loss. However, experts still recommend using these medications with the necessary lifestyle changes. This includes following a healthy diet and being as physically active as possible. Alongside drugs like Wegovy, these are the foundational treatments for weight loss and improved health.
Are they effective?
Wegovy is shown to induce an average 15% reduction in baseline body weight, roughly twice as much as other types of FDA-approved weight-loss medications. An oral semaglutide under the brand name Rybelsus — approved for type 2 diabetes treatment — has shown some weight loss but not as much as Wegovy and is not approved for obesity treatment. On the other hand, higher doses of Ozempic are very effective for reducing weight in people with obesity. Like Wegovy, users lost about 15% of their body weight when the drug was paired with lifestyle interventions.
On top of weight loss, semaglutides may also offer heart health benefits. New research suggests that patients who took Wegovy experienced a drop in the risk of suffering from conditions such as heart attack or stroke over the next ten years (down to 6.3% from 7.6%).
Will my insurance cover it?
Unfortunately, like other medications for long-term treatments, Ozempic and Wegovy can be very costly. The cost of weight treatment can set you back over $1,000 monthly, and neither drug is covered for weight loss by most insurance plans. Most health plans — especially those that serve older adults and low-income families — do not cover weight loss drugs. Medicare pays for bariatric surgery, which helps with weight loss, but not obesity medications, including medicines for anorexia, weight loss, and weight gain. Ultimately, while these drugs may sound appealing as an effective and quick way to lose weight, it's important to note what they are medically meant for — type 2 diabetes patients and people with obesity or who are overweight. These medications are costly, shouldn't be used for cosmetic purposes, and may lead to increased weight gain once you stop taking them. If you found this post insightful or helpful, you can visit our blog for more fashion and beauty insights.
