COLUMBUS, Ohio — A survey from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that a quarter of adults said they’d consider injectable weight loss medication without a doctor consultation.
A release from the institution said the medication is expensive (without insurance) and in short supply and that some are looking to acquire them via “unreliable sources such as unlicensed online pharmacies or telehealth sites.”
“It’s really important for those who want to lose weight to first discuss options with their doctor,” said Dr. Shengyi Mao, an Ohio State internal medicine physician. “It is not one size fits all, and every medication can have risks and side effects. A trusted doctor can go through a patient’s medical history and current medications to assess their particular risks and benefits.”
They survey spoke with 1,006 adults and found various reasons as to why they said they’ve consider getting the medicine without a conversation with their doctor. Those reasons include lower costs, the medicine not being covered by their insurance, inability to get a prescription and a no availability at the pharmacy.
Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, according to the release, were intended to regulate blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes. It was also discoved that this medication can cause users to lose weight and reduce their appetite.
“Some studies have shown they can lower the risk of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death,” the release reads. “In March, the FDA approved semaglutide for reducing cardiovascular risk in adults who are overweight or obese and have established cardiovascular disease.”
They go on to reference FDA warnings regarding the compounded versions of these medications, which include some users being hospitalized due to dosing errors.
Compounded medications, they say, are created custom “in state-licensed pharmacies instead of by drug manufacturers when a drug is in short supply.”
“Obesity is a serious and complex chronic disease and shouldn’t be addressed in a one-size-fits-all approach. That’s why a comprehensive weight management program is often the best choice because losing weight and keeping it off requires a lifestyle change and lifelong commitment,” Mao said in the release. “These weight loss drugs may be effective for some people but they can cause serious side effects and the weight may return after they stop taking them.”