A new trend gaining popularity among people trying to lose weight is microdosing the diabetes drug Ozempic.
With approximately 70% of American adults meeting the criteria for being obese or overweight, more and more people are turning to weight loss drugs to lose weight.
Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes and its counterpart, Wegovy, is approved for the treatment of obesity. Both are made by Novo Nordisk.
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Eli Lilly also offers a diabetes drug, Mounjaro, and a weight-loss version, Zepbound.
In a new trend, doctors report that some people are using “microdosing” of Ozempic in smaller doses each day. (St. Petersburg)
“Ozempic is the only version of the once-weekly injectables Ozempic, Wigoby, Zepbound, and Mounjaro that has the option to ‘hack’ the pen with a lower dose,” says Obesity Medicine Expert. Yes, says Dr. Alexandra Sowa, founder of Sowell, New York. York told Fox News Digital.
She is also the author of the book “The Ozempic Revolution,” which is scheduled to be released on January 7th.
Fox News Digital spoke to experts to learn more about this latest trend.
What is microdosing?
Experts say microdosing Ozempic refers to the use of smaller doses compared to the standard therapeutic doses traditionally prescribed to help manage type 2 diabetes and lose weight. .
This practice has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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“Standard dosing regimens are based on clinical trials to determine the most effective and safe doses for these conditions, so medical clinicians typically do not recommend this approach,” says Massachusetts General Hospital and said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity physician at Harvard Medical. school.
There are no established guidelines for microdosing, but there are reports on social media of people using doses 10 to 100 times lower than standard prescriptions, says Digest, who runs True You Weight Loss in Cary, North Carolina. Dr. Christopher McGowan, an internal medicine physician and obesity expert, added:
“Medical professionals typically do not recommend this approach.”
Doctors noted that some people may be confused by the terminology.
“I think there’s a bit of a misunderstanding. Some people say they’re ‘microdosing’ when they’re taking a starting dose of a drug, or they’re not taking it all the way up to the escalating dose. ” says Sowa. Said.
Benefits of microdosing
McGowan said the main reason for microdosing is cost reduction.
For example, patients may wonder if they can get some benefit from just $25 worth of medication if a complete prescription costs more than $250 per week, he said.
With approximately 70% of American adults meeting the criteria for being obese or overweight, more and more people are turning to weight loss drugs to lose weight. (St. Petersburg)
According to GoodRx, the average monthly retail price for Ozempic is more than $1,000 without insurance.
Some people may seek microdosing to reduce the incidence or severity of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort, according to Stanford University.
“Some people may start with microdosing to gradually get their body used to the drug, and ease up to the full therapeutic dose over time,” she said.
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However, experts noted that the drug’s potential effects are likely to diminish proportionately as the dose is reduced.
According to Dr. Amy Rothberg, a clinical professor in the Department of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes at the University of Michigan, individuals may ingest trace amounts due to supply issues.
“Some people may start with microdosing to gradually get their bodies used to the medication and ease up to the full therapeutic dose over time.” (St. Petersburg)
“Some people feel that by being able to extend the supply, they may benefit from microdosing and see the effects,” said Rothberg, who is also medical director of Rewind, a lifestyle program for people with type 2 diabetes. he told Fox News Digital. “As we know, the placebo effect can have a strong influence.”
Potential risks of practice
McGowan noted that the most likely risk of microdosing is a lack of efficacy.
“Microdosing of Ozempic and other (weight loss) drugs is completely off-label, unproven and without supporting clinical studies,” he warned.
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Stanford University also warned that lower doses may not provide adequate blood sugar control, leading to uncontrolled diabetes and related complications.
It also has the potential for misuse, as well as potentially leading to suboptimal weight loss and unpredictable results, she added.
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People who microdosing often use “compound” versions of drugs that are not regulated by the FDA.
“This creates risks such as contamination, formulation inconsistencies, and uncertainty about the actual strength of the product being injected,” McGowan said.
One doctor pointed out that if you don’t change your diet and physical activity patterns, the long-term effects disappear when you stop the drug. (St. Petersburg)
Additionally, these compounded versions are typically dispensed in vials that require a syringe to draw it out, as opposed to the FDA-approved versions, which are easier to use.
Sowa warned that using the mixed version through a vial poses the risk of overdosing the drug, which could be replaced by a microdose instead of a macrodose.
Medical supervision is key
Some healthcare providers may still offer microdosing to some patients, with one caveat: You should always consult your healthcare provider before changing your medication regimen. Some people have no resistance to it.
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“As long as it’s dispensed and monitored by a physician, I don’t see how someone could overdose, especially if you’re administering such a small amount,” said Dr. Suzanne A. Trott of Double Board Certified Plastic Products. said. a general surgeon in Beverly Hills told Fox News Digital.
“I’ve seen a lot of patients put on metformin for weight loss, and I don’t see how this is any different,” says Trott, who runs his own microdosing clinic.
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Trott pointed out that there are many “off-label” treatments being offered to patients.
“Botox and fillers aren’t even FDA approved in most places where we use them,” she pointed out.
“Some people may start with microdosing to gradually get their body used to the drug.”
Experts agree that drugs alone will not cause lasting weight loss.
“I think people find it easier to take medication, but they ignore the behavioral changes that come with it,” Rothberg says.
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She noted that long-term effects disappear when the drug is stopped, unless there are changes in dietary and physical activity patterns.
Trott also recommends maintaining consistent exercise, strength training, hydration, and high protein intake to maintain muscle mass.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, for comment.
