We’ve all stumbled on Ozempic at least once—whether it's from a colleague, a friend, social media or from the Bollywood Wives on Netflix. This ‘get-thin-quickly’ blockbuster drug from the Danish pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk, has had breathless media coverage, with affluent Indians stashing up boxes of the drug to shed those extra kilos and score a chiselled body. Such is the interest that the ‘weight loss’ drug could reach a $100 billion market by 2030, according to research by Goldman Sachs. Yet the question lingers: What is Ozempic truly? Is Ozempic safe? Is India, Asia's largest market with the highest number of lifestyle diseases, poised to be the drug's next market or is it already?
What is Ozempic for Weight Loss?
Ozempic is a semaglutide class of drugs that work as a GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes.
But first, what is GLP? GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your body naturally produces when you eat to help regulate blood sugar and tell your brain, “Hey, you’re full!” But when this system doesn’t work properly—like in type 2 diabetes or obesity—you’re left with spiking blood sugars, constant cravings, and a vicious cycle that’s hard to break.
That’s where GLP-1 receptor agonists come in. These medications act like a turbocharged version of your natural GLP-1. They have three essential functions:
Control blood sugar
Tame your appetite
Keep you feeling full for longer
Now, in the 1980s, anti-diabetes drugs for type 2 diabetes often led to weight gain as a side effect, worsening the condition. Thus, GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs offered a revolutionary impact on reducing blood sugar levels by curbing hunger, thereby encouraging weight loss.
The Stories Behind Ozempic for Weightloss
Believe it or not, the inspiration for GLP-1 receptor agonists came from an unlikely source: the Gila monster, a lizard from the deserts of the U.S. Its saliva contains a hormone similar to GLP-1, and scientists used this to create the first version of these drugs back in the 1990s. Fast forward to today, and we have modern versions like semaglutide, which are more effective, longer-lasting, and far easier to use.
How Does Ozempic Work?
It's not too often that scientists develop drugs that end up being popular for a different use altogether. Take Viagra, for instance. What was developed to check high blood pressure is now a poster name for erectile dysfunction. Something similar happened with Ozempic.
Ozempic works to manage diabetes type 2. It mimics the action of the GLP-1 hormone and works in a stepwise process:
After meals: Ozempic stimulates the pancreas to release insulin, which helps lower blood sugar levels. It inhibits the release of glucagon, a hormone that signals the liver to produce glucose. With less glucagon, blood sugar levels remain stable.
On the appetite: Ozempic increases feelings of fullness, making you feel satiated after meals. By slowing down gastric emptying (the process of food moving from the stomach to the intestines), it prolongs the feeling of satiety after eating. Together, this prevents you from overeating, cuts down appetite and decreases the chances of frequent snacking.
Ozempic in India
India is at the heart of lifestyle diseases like obesity, hypertension, diabetes and poor gut health. Needless to say, Ozempic has a ready market in the country. Despite its efficacy and uses, adopting Ozempic in the Indian market can be challenging. These include high costs, limited access to regulated healthcare and relaxed guidelines on prescriptions. Hundreds of cosmetologists and weight-loss experts claim that patients frequently request Ozempic prescriptions—they've had to decline because the patient did not match the criteria for the drug's use and recommended against it, emphasising that attempting it would be at the patient's risk. Though Novo Nordisk has no plans to launch the drug in India soon, Ozempic may hold immense promise for India’s battle against diabetes and related weight issues over its ‘quick-weight loss’ tag.
Bottomline
Ozempic might be the hottest ticket to fast-track weight loss, but it’s no magic wand. For India — a country battling rising lifestyle diseases — the drug could be a game-changer or a slippery slope. While the promise is real, so are the side effects and long-term questions.
So, before jumping on the bandwagon, remember: lasting health isn’t just about popping a shot. It’s about balance, informed choices, and not letting the Bollywood Wife body craze cloud clinical judgment.
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