Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are getting lots of headlines – but how effective and safe are they? DR REGINALD LIEW, Senior Consultant Cardiologist at The Harley Street Heart and Vascular Centre, shares his opinions.
Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease. Carrying excess weight can put extra stress on your heart, increasing the risk of developing coronary artery blockages, heart attack, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart rhythm problems. Many people who are overweight find it difficult to lose weight, despite lifestyle and dietary changes – and they’re turning to alternative options.
In recent years, the novel injectable drugs Ozempic and Wegovy have taken the world by storm and been touted as “wonder drugs” for weight loss. Even well-known figures such as Elon Musk and Oprah Winfrey have publicly admitted to using them. But do they work? And are they safe to take?
About Ozempic and Wegovy
Ozempic is an injectable medication that was originally developed as an anti-diabetic drug. Medical studies have shown it can also lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with diabetes and cardiac risk factors. Although not FDA-approved for weight loss, Ozempic is increasingly being used off-label in people without diabetes to help them lose weight.
Wegovy is a higher-dose version of Ozempic that has been approved for weight loss in certain adults and adolescents aged 12 and older. It can be used by people without diabetes to help them lose weight but should only be given under medical supervision to those who are overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol.
How are they taken and how do they work?
Both Ozempic and Wegovy are once-weekly injections that contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, and are manufactured by Denmark-headquartered pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk.
Semaglutide works by mimicking the actions of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that is naturally released in the gastrointestinal tract in response to eating. These GLP-1 analogues work by slowing down gastric emptying and having effects on the brain to reduce appetite and increase the sensation of feeling full.
Both drugs are intended to be taken long-term. If you start taking them and then stop without taking any other steps to maintain the lower weight, it’s possible for your weight to increase again. The drugs can only be provided by a doctor or obtained through a prescription from a pharmacist. Ozempic and Wegovy seem to be effective in reducing weight by about 10 to 20 percent in a large proportion of people.
What are the potential problems with Ozempic and Wegovy?
Despite the medical benefits of improved diabetic control and reduced cardiac risk, Ozempic and Wegovy can also result in side effects. So the decision to start them should be carefully made with a medical specialist. Potential problems include:
- Possible side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain, bloating, constipation, pain or redness at the injection site.
- Risk of thyroid/endocrine tumours and cancers, particularly in those with a family history of endocrine tumours.
- Rare risk of pancreatitis.
- Decrease in muscle mass (a condition called sarcopenia) and bone density.
- Rebound weight gain after stopping the drug.
- Potential long-term effects (currently unknown as the drugs are relatively new).
Final word
Obesity is a major health problem, but new GLP-1 analogues like Ozempic and Wegovy can have a role to play with weight loss. However, they may have side effects and should be used with caution under medical supervision. If you’re overweight and have cardiac risk factors, consult your doctor or cardiologist to check for any underlying heart problems. You can also discuss the best management options with them, which may include trying one of these GLP-1 analogues.
The Harley Street Heart and Vascular Centre
#02-38/41 Annexe Block, Gleneagles Hospital, 6A Napier Road
6472 3703 | harleystreet.sg
This article on weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy first appeared in the March 2025 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
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