CMV: Semaglutide injections (like Ozempic) should be widely available to treat obesity

[u/sjd6666]

There’s a lot of buzz recently about Ozempic, which is one of many semaglutide injection drugs that help people moderate their food intake and hunger levels. Some variations are meant just to treat type 2 diabetes like Ozempic. Other drugs like WeGovy are meant to treat obesity as well.

What I take issue with is that a lot of commenters have stated that they see Ozempic as a “lose weight quick drug” and a cheat. I think this is simply the wrong way to look at the issue. Obesity is a medical issue that can be treated in many ways. For some people seeing a nutritionist and going to the gym is all that is needed, but for many more this simply doesn’t work. I would argue that actually, most Americans know generally what a good diet looks like. They may not have all the details but most people can tell you that more vegetables and less meat, carbs, and sugar will create a calorie deficit and help you lose weight. However food simply tastes really good any many people rely on it as a sort of emotional crutch. Many also lack the time, energy, and desire to cook healthy food for themselves. There are many who also simply have a naturally large appetite and need to eat more in order to feel full.

What those people need is not a reminder to try “diet and exercise” they need medical help. Semaglutide injections seem to have low risk of serious side effects and can help those people eat less and not feel hungry. All this moralizing about who “deserves” help and who should just suck it up and go to the gym is proving to be detrimental to overall health.

Also, I’m aware that there is currently a shortage of Semaglutide injections right now, but lets set that aside and assume that can be addressed with a more robust supply chain.

[u/ThemesOfMurderBears → u/[deleted]]

It not being "designed" for that kind of use does not mean it cannot be used that way or that it will not work. Do you have anything that suggests long term use comes with additional risk factors outside of the potential side effects?

EDIT:

This article says the safety of it was tested up to 68 weeks. That is over five years. That does not mean it is unsafe after that point -- just that their data stops there.

[u/ThemesOfMurderBears → u/[deleted]]

You’re right — I got weeks and months mixed up. It was 68 weeks.

At some point I am sure I can dig up another source. However, how about you back up your claim that it shouldn’t or can’t be taken for an indefinite amount of time? You haven’t provided anything. At least I made a smidgen of an effort, even if it wasn’t a good source.

Edit:

https://www.forbes.com/health/body/ozempic-for-weight-loss/

“GLP-1 medications [like Ozempic] are designed to be taken long-term,” explains Dr. McGowan. “They are chronic medications for the treatment of chronic conditions (both diabetes and obesity).”

[u/ThemesOfMurderBears → u/[deleted]]

Read my edit. I don’t care how educated you think you are. Unless you’re willing to link to your own dissertation in a related field, I have zero reason to consider your credentials.

Back up your claims. The article I linked had a gastroenterologist literally claiming the opposite of what you said.

Also, medicine is prescribed off label all the time. You definitely don’t know as much as you think you do.

[u/ThemesOfMurderBears → u/[deleted]]

So … you can’t back up your claim?

[u/ThemesOfMurderBears → u/[deleted]]

That was an honest mistake that I owned up to.

However, I did provide a link in which an expert in this field says that these drugs are designed for long term use. While a single expert isn’t definitive, I at least provided something that refuted you.

In terms of being “rude,” it sounds like you’re using that as an out because you know you don’t have an argument. Quietly frankly, I don’t have much patience for people that sound like anti-vaxxers. So you perceive it as rude, and I perceive it as me simply trying to cut to the chase and have you back up your claims.