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A general practitioner revealed the biggest mistakes Ozempic users have made, which have not only derailed weight-loss goals but also massively increased the risk of side effects.
Dr. Donald Grant of The Independent Pharmacy told the Daily Mail that many Ozempic users are dangerously taking too much too soon. Grant warned that the logic of "more is better" is false and potentially dangerous amid reports that patients were increasing the recommended weekly jabs of either 0.25mg or 2.5mg to start.
"Contrary to popular belief, taking a higher dosage of the medication does not necessarily mean quicker results,' he said. "Our bodies need time to adjust to the treatment, so beginning on a high dosage could greatly increase the intensity of symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and nausea."
Grant added that increased dosages could lead to more serious side effects such as pancreatitis and hypoglycaemia.
"I advise anyone on the treatment to discuss their dosage with a licensed health professional, rather than increasing the strength on their own accord," he added via the Daily Mail.
Grant also warned of the dangers of Ozempic users obtaining the medication without prescription, noting an increased number of slim women needing emergency treatment after obtaining the drug from chemists by lying about their weight.
"This can be an incredibly dangerous process as these organizations aren’t regulated with the same level of health safety protocols as proper healthcare establishments," he added via the Daily Mail. "As a result, they could have foreign ingredients that could impact well-being."
Grant also noted that many Ozempic users falsely believe they can "eat whatever they like" while on the medication.
'Sadly, this is simply not the case and eating too many processed or sugary foods could cause blood sugar spikes, leading to increased appetite, bloating and fatigue,' he said via the Daily Mail.
Grant also warned that many uses fail to stay properly hydrated and end up skipping dosages, which would "halt progress, stopping people from reaching their weight loss goals, as it can increase appetite and reduce the overall effectiveness of the treatment."
"Therefore, before beginning any weight loss medication, be sure to consider the long-term costs and reordering processes," he added via the Daily Mail.
Ozempic first hit the market in December 2017 and has since become one of the top 130 most commonly prescribed medications in the United States for patients with diabetes, though many without diabetes have used it as a meal suppressant for weight loss.