Ozempic, a diabetes drug that may assist individuals drop some pounds, is dealing with shortages following demand and international provide constraints.
The corporate mentioned that whereas the product continues to be manufactured and shipped, sufferers in some areas of the nation will expertise delays with sure doses and instructed anybody involved with continuity of remedy to contact their well being care supplier.
Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk mentioned the 1 mg and a pair of mg doses of Ozempic are at present accessible for sufferers nationwide. Nonetheless, there are provide disruptions affecting the Ozempic pen that delivers 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg doses
“Whereas we acknowledge that some healthcare suppliers could also be prescribing Ozempic for sufferers whose purpose is to drop some pounds, it’s as much as the medical discretion of every healthcare supplier to decide on one of the best remedy method for his or her sufferers,” Novo Nordisk advised Fox Information Digital in an announcement. “Novo Nordisk doesn’t promote, counsel, or encourage off-label use of our medicines and is dedicated to completely complying with all relevant US legal guidelines and laws within the promotion of our merchandise. We belief that healthcare suppliers are evaluating a affected person’s particular person wants and figuring out which medication is true for that specific affected person.”
OZEMPIC WARNING: DOCTORS URGE CAUTION FOR THOSE USING DIABETES DRUG FOR WEIGHT LOSS
In November, the Australian authorities warned that the corporate knowledgeable its Therapeutic Items Administration (TGA) that Ozempic wouldn’t be accessible within the nation from mid-November 2022 till the top of March 2023.
The brand of Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk is pictured at their headquarters in Bagsvaerd exterior of Copenhagen, Denmark on February 1, 2017, the day earlier than they launch their yearly monetary outcomes.
((Picture by LISELOTTE SABROE/Scanpix Denmark/AFP through Getty Photos))
“The TGA is working with Novo Nordisk and the related well being skilled organizations to handle this severe scarcity,” it mentioned.
U.S. regulators accredited the treatment in December 2017, which additionally reduces blood sugar ranges.
The once-a-week shot is for individuals with Kind 2 diabetes and Ozempic – also referred to as semaglutide – works by stimulating the physique’s personal insulin manufacturing and decreasing urge for food. It isn’t a weight-loss drug.
4 years later, the Meals and Drug Administration accredited Wegovy – a higher-dose model of semaglutide – for long-term weight administration.

A person prepares an Ozempic injection.
(iStock)
OZEMPIC DIABETES DRUG IS TRENDING AS A WEIGHT-LOSS METHOD — HERE’S WHY AND WHAT DOCTORS SAY
In latest weeks, the drug has gained consideration as celebrities and TikTok influencers have described taking it to drop some pounds shortly.
“Everyone seems to be immediately exhibiting up 25 kilos lighter. What occurs after they cease taking #Ozempic ?????” Bravo host Andy Cohen tweeted in September.
On TikTok, the hashtag #Ozempic has been seen over 313 million occasions.
Twitter chief Elon Musk tweeted that he had been taking Wegovy to drop some pounds in October and November.

Elon Musk attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating “In America: An Anthology of Vogue” at The Metropolitan Museum of Artwork on Might 2, 2022, in New York Metropolis.
( (Picture by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Photos for The Met Museum/Vogue))
Nonetheless, docs are warning towards utilizing Ozempic, cautioning that advantages will be short-lived.
Some unintended effects aside from weight reduction embody adjustments in imaginative and prescient, attainable thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, kidney issues and gall bladder points.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“There are unintended effects of this drug, however there are unintended effects of any drug,” Fox Information medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel mentioned in October, “so I really feel comfy prescribing it – however I do not suppose anybody can take any drug.”
Fox Information’ Elizabeth Pritchett, Angelica Stabile and The Related Press contributed to this report.