About 25% of U.S. adults said they would consider taking a prescription weight-loss drug like Ozempic or Wegovy without consulting their doctor, according to a new study from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
In the survey released Tuesday, researchers found that the top reasons people are considering taking a drug without a doctor's approval include lower price of the drug without a prescription (18%), not being covered by insurance (15%), not being able to get a prescription (9%) and not being able to get it at a pharmacy (6%).
However, medical experts strongly warn users about the dangers of not consulting their doctor before seeking alternatives.
“It's really important that anyone wanting to lose weight discuss their options with their doctor first. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and every medication has risks and side effects,” says Shenyi Mao, an internist at Ohio State University. “A trusted doctor can review a patient's medical history and current medications to assess the specific risks and benefits.”
Ozempic and other alternatives have been heralded as options to suppress appetite and slow gastric emptying, but researchers point out that the drugs were originally developed to regulate blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
“While these weight loss drugs may work for some people, they can also cause serious side effects and can lead to weight regain once you stop taking them,” Mao advised.
Some studies have also shown that the drugs may lower the risk of heart attack, stroke and death from cardiovascular disease.Semaglutide, the active ingredient in a weight-loss drug, was approved in March to improve heart health in people suffering from obesity and other problems.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Drug Administration have also warned about counterfeit products on the market.
The Ohio State University poll was conducted Aug. 16-18 among 1,006 adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.
