The diet medication Wegovy and the diabetes injection Ozempic seem attractive to many as a way to shed a few kilos. But they only benefit a certain group – and can even be harmful.
Lose weight without cravings, with a little prick per week: Some people have probably already succumbed to the temptations of the new weight loss injections. Tiktokers and YouTubers have been testing the medication for many months and have been feeding their community with new reports of success and tips on how to administer the injections correctly. Celebrities like Tesla boss Elon Musk made it public that they had lost several kilos, not least thanks to fat-loss injections.
The syringes with the active ingredient semaglutide have recently also been available in Germany: The product Wegovy is even approved as a “real” weight loss agent and can be prescribed for obesity. The diabetes drug Ozempic is apparently often prescribed for purposes other than its intended purpose for losing weight.
Many overweight people benefit little or not at all
But many people who are actually – or perceived to be – overweight benefit little or not at all from the injections.