Ozempic is trending as the new weight loss drug, causing celebrities like Sharon Osbourne to shrink in size. Should Christians take it?

Ozempic is the much discussed drug created for those with Type 2 diabetes but now widely used for weight loss. Woman Alive’s deputy editor Jemimah Wright finds out from a friend who used it, why this drug has been so popular.

I first heard of ozempic (one of the brand names, like wegovy and rybelsus, for the generic drug, samaglutide) a few months ago. Earlier last year the drug was made available for weight loss on the NHS, with the pre-requisites that the patient had to have related health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease.

Ozempic was originally a drug for Type 2 diabetes. It works by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone. As those hormone levels rise, the molecules go to your brain, telling you that you are full. It also slows digestion by increasing the time it takes for food to leave the body. This is similar to the effect of bariatric surgery.

Sharon Osbourne, Oprah and Amy Schumer have all talked about their experiences with the drug, and their diminishing figures are proof of the weight loss success (or over-success) of the drug. Sharon Osborne, 71, apparently now weighs under 100lbs after taking the drug.