After celebrities such as Maiara, from the duo with Maraisa, and Mari Fernandez appeared extremely thin on social media, a new term began to emerge: “Ozempic head”. Internet users are extolling a supposed side effect of the drug Ozempic, used to treat type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic Head is the new term used on the internet – Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/ND
Internet users have mentioned a phenomenon called “Ozempic head,” which is used to describe a situation in which the heads of people taking the drug appear to become disproportionate to their bodies due to weight loss.
However, the medication leaflet does not mention this possible side effect. It instructs users to report any adverse effects to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse, including those not listed in the leaflet.
Check out the manifestations of the term “Ozempic head” on the internet
When a doctor in Brazil prescribes Ozempic to treat obesity, it is essential that he informs the patient that this recommendation goes beyond the use indicated in the drug leaflet. This occurs despite the fact that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, the regulatory agency equivalent to Anvisa in Brazil, has also approved semaglutide for the treatment of obesity.
Maiara was also linked to the term on the internet – Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/NDWho is the substance recommended for?
- Obese people (with a BMI above 30);
- Overweight (with a BMI above 25);
- With comorbidities or worsening of pre-existing conditions due to excess weight;
- Diabetic patients or those with dyslipidemia (excess fat in the blood).
A warning from experts is that the use of any substance must always be monitored by a professional, in addition to changes in diet and the inclusion of physical exercise, otherwise the patient may suffer from the rebound effect.
Side effects of using Ozempic pointed out by doctors:
- Nausea;
- Decreased appetite;
- Vomiting;
- Diarrhea;
- Headache;
- Dehydration (caused by episodes of vomiting and diarrhea);
- Gallstones (due to rapid weight loss);
- Malaise.
“Not all eating patterns will show positive results with medication and that is why adequate medical evaluation becomes so necessary”, says endocrinologist Camila Spivakoski. And she ends:
“Like any medication, Ozempic also has dose adjustments, side effects and indications and contraindications that must be respected and evaluated individually”, he warns.
