A new trend gaining popularity among people trying to lose weight is microdosing the diabetes drug Ozempic.
With nearly 70 percent of American adults meeting the criteria for being obese or overweight, more people are turning that way. Weight loss medications To help them shed pounds.
Ozempic is approved. Type 2 diabetesWhile its counterpart Vigovi is approved for the treatment of obesity. Both are made by Novo Nordisk.
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Eli Lilly also offers a diabetes drug, Monjaro, as well as a weight-loss version, Zipbound.
Dr. Alexandra Sova, “Ozempic is the only version among weekly injections – Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro – that has the option to ‘hack’ the pen” Obesity medicine expert and founder of Sowell in New York told Fox News Digital.
She is also the author of the book “The Ozempic Revolution” released on January 7.
Fox News Digital spoke to experts to learn about this latest trend.
What is microdosing?
Microdosing Ozempic refers to using lower doses than the standard therapeutic doses that are traditionally prescribed for administration. Type 2 diabetes Experts say that it helps in weight loss.
This practice is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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“Health care physicians generally do not recommend this approach, as the standard dosing regimen is based on clinical trials of what is most effective and safe for these conditions,” notes Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford. quantifies,” notes Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, Doctor of obesity medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
There are no established guidelines for microdosing — although there are reports on social media of using 10 to 100 times less than standard prescriptions, says Dr. Christopher McGowan, a gastroenterologist and obesity specialist at Troy in Carey, North Carolina. You run Wet Loos.
“Health care physicians generally do not recommend this approach.”
Doctors note that some people get confused by the terminology.
“I think there’s a bit of a misunderstanding, as some people say ‘I’m microdosing’ when they’re just on the initial dose or don’t go all the way into the increasing titration doses of the medication, Sowa said.
Benefits of Microdosing
According to McGowan, the main reason for microdosing is to reduce costs.
For example, he said, a patient might think that if a full prescription costs more than $250 per week, he might be able to get some benefit from just $25. Cost of medicine.
With nearly 70% of American adults meeting criteria for obesity or overweight, more are turning to weight-loss drugs. are to help them shed pounds. (iStock)
The average monthly retail price of Ozempic is $1,000 or more without insurance, per GoodRx.
People experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting or Abdominal painAccording to Stanford.
“Some individuals may start with microdoses to gradually acclimate their bodies to the medication, possibly easing into a full therapeutic dose over time,” he said.
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Experts noted that any potential benefit of the medication, however, would be lost proportionally with lower doses.
According to Dr. Amy Rothberg, clinical professor of medicine in the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes at the University of Michigan, individuals may also take microdoses because of supply challenges.
“Some individuals may start with microdoses to gradually acclimate their bodies to the medication, possibly easing into a full therapeutic dose over time.” (iStock)
“Some find that they can benefit from microdosing by being able to increase their supply and feel the effect,” says Rothberg, who is also the medical director of Rewind, a type 2 diabetes drug. lifestyle program, told Fox News Digital. “As we know, the placebo effect can have a strong effect.”
Potential risks of the practice
McGowan notes that the biggest risk of microdosing is a lack of effectiveness.
“Microdosing Ozempic or Others [weight-loss] The drugs are completely off-label and unproven, with no adjuvants A clinical study” he warned.
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Stanford also warned that small doses may not properly manage blood sugar, leading to diabetes and related complications.
It can lead to extreme weight loss and unpredictable results, as well as potential for misuse, he added.
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Those who microdose often use a “compound” version of the drug, which is not regulated by the FDA.
“This introduces risks such as contamination, inconsistent formulations and uncertainty about the actual potency of the product being injected,” McGowan said.
One doctor noted that without changes in diet and physical activity patterns, the long-term benefits would disappear after the drug was discontinued. (iStock)
Additionally, these compounded versions are usually shipped in vials, which require a syringe to draw, unlike FDA-approved versions that are easier to use.
Sowa cautions that using the compounded version via vials carries the risk of overdosing — so macrodosing rather than microdosing is possible.
Medical supervision is key.
Some providers are still comfortable offering microdosing for select patients with one caveat — that people should always consult one. Health care clinicians Before changing their medication regimen.
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“As long as it’s being dispensed and monitored by a doctor, I don’t see how anyone is overdosing, especially when we give such small amounts,” said Dr. Suzanne A. Trott. Have been,” Dr. Suzanne A. Trott, a double board-certified plastic and general surgeon in Beverly Hills, told Fox News Digital.
“I’ve seen a lot of patients who are given metformin for weight loss — I don’t see how it’s any different,” said Trott, who runs her own microdosing clinic.
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Trott pointed out that there are many “off-label” methods offered to patients.
“Botox and fillers Not even FDA-approved for most of the places we use it,” he noted.
“Some individuals may start with microdoses to slowly acclimate their bodies to the medication.”
Experts agree that sustained weight loss will not be achieved with medication alone.
“I think people think it’s easy to take medicine, but ignore the partner. Changes in behavior” said Rothberg.
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He noted that in the absence of changes in diet and physical activity patterns, the long-term benefits will disappear when the drug is stopped.
Trott also recommends retention. Constant exercisehigh protein intake for strength training, hydration and maintaining muscle mass.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozympic, for comment.