Last month, the scientists behind Ozempic – hailed as a ‘miracle drug’ for weight-loss – were honoured by the Breakthrough Prize for Life Sciences, which awarded the five drug developers with $3 million to share. Often nicknamed the ‘Oscars’ of science, guests attending the prestigious 11th annual ceremony included high-profile celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Gwyneth Paltrow. Despite the drug’s approval for use in treating type 2 diabetes over 7 years ago, Ozempic has only recently been recognised for its full potential in weight-loss. So what exactly is Ozempic, why has it garnered worldwide praise and recognition, and are there any potential downsides to its use?

“Ozempic only needs to be taken once per week”

Ozempic, also known as Semaglutide, is a structurally similar version of a hormone naturally found in the body named glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 is what’s known as an ‘Incretin’ – a molecule that stimulates the body to release more insulin after a meal, meaning more glucose can be moved into cells to provide them with energy. At the same time, the reduction in blood glucose levels caused by the GLP-1 mimetic sends signals to the brain which provide a feeling of ‘fullness’ and suppress appetite. Overall, alongside regulating blood glucose levels in diabetics, these combined effects promote weight-loss. What makes Ozempic so attractive is that it only needs to be taken once per week as an injection under the skin, meaning its use does not disrupt daily routines unlike the regular insulin injections typically administered by diabetics.

So, can anybody use Ozempic to aid with weight-loss, whatever the reason? Ozempic hasn’t been tested yet for its specific impact on weight-loss, and, as such, is not approved for this purpose. As of May 2025, Ozempic is only available on prescription to patients with type 2 diabetes, although it can be given as an off-license drug for non-diabetics in certain circumstances. It’s unlikely that Ozempic will be available on supermarket shelves as a weight loss solution anytime soon.

“Ozempic won't be on supermarket shelves anytime soon”

However, since Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for diabetes, Ozempic has seen an unprecedented surge in popularity, with overwhelming demand leading to global supply shortages from 2023 onwards. Ozempic’s rise in popularity is largely attributed to the influence of social media, with influencers and celebrities posting their dramatic weight-loss results after using the drug. In addition, Ozempic has also been shown to have serious potential in reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke in patients with a history of heart disease – perhaps through effects on lowered blood glucose or inflammation – but further clinical trials must be done to understand these benefits.

However, Ozempic does not come without side effects: the most commonly reported are nausea, stomach pain and diarrhoea. In fact, two out of three patients prescribed Ozempic are known to quit taking the drug within a year of starting, although it’s not fully understood why this is. Furthermore, there seems to be a pattern amongst patients who stop taking Ozempic experiencing rapid weight-gain back to their original weight in the first 3 to 6 months after discontinuation. Moreover, markers of ‘heart health’ also saw a reversal back to baseline levels in most patients after they stopped taking the drug.

Perhaps, then, Ozempic alone is not enough to sustain long-lasting results in weight management. While the Breakthrough Prize has highlighted the wonderful impact of Ozempic on ‘extending human life’, it’s important to recognise that the drug primarily serves as a catalyst, enhancing the benefits of lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, to maintain a healthy weight in the long-term.