AS THE trend in novel alternative weight-loss drugs gains momentum, their commercialization and widespread use set a complex precedent for weight loss pressures and drug information distribution, especially in the age of social media.

In particular, semaglutide is a medication that interacts with the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors in the body, a key factor in regulating blood sugar levels. It mimics the natural GLP-1 hormone to control insulin release, reduce glucose production, and influence digestive processes.

With the Philippine youth market learning about semaglutide injectables and tablets—most commonly known by popular brand name equivalents such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and the like—concerns rise over their responsible use and regulation.

The semaglutide pop culture

The primary medical application of semaglutide centers on managing type-2 diabetes, which causes insulin resistance and glucose regulation. By targeting key metabolic mechanisms, the drug helps improve blood sugar control and support the function of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Although the Philippine Food and Drug Administration has approved the medication since late 2022, the extent of its use especially for weight loss purposes has only recently gained traction. Pop culture and social media have sensationalized semaglutide’s common side effect of inhibiting hunger.

Since the drug’s “slimming” properties became popular, numerous Philippine-based clinics and health websites have released advertisements online that offer GLP-1-assisted treatment plans for weight loss. The increased accessibility of the drug, coupled with its positive reputation, offers an enticing alternative to fitness to a wide market, including Ateneans.

Chelsea Ocampo (3 BS LfSci) shared how she first observed the drug’s growing presence in social discourse when it started gaining traction as a meme, before eventually encountering it as an advertisement on her online feed.

For her, the medication’s promise of rapid weight loss without traditional diet and exercise has created the option of an “easy way out” narrative.

Similarly, Lianne Piedad (3 BS LfSci) commented on how the popularity of Ozempic, like other popular fitness medications, complicates the discourse on body image. “[The trend of semaglutide] feels like we have gone back to prizing the ideal weight,” Piedad remarked.

Semaglutide in healthcare

Despite the possible harm that the drug may cause to uninformed users, it remains a legitimate treatment option widely used in healthcare.

Nurse Irvin Misador, a manager in the kidney transplantation ward of a National Health Service Hospital in the United Kingdom, shared that an endocrine specialist prescribed Ozempic to him for weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar management as a diabetic—even before the drug rose to popularity.

When asked about how the medication may affect others who share his condition, Misador emphasized that some patients in need of kidney transplants are not on the active transplant list due to their weight—something that semaglutide may help with at a considerable rate.

“All medications come with risks, but the most important factor is that this treatment was recommended,” Misador explained.

Meanwhile, Makati Medical Center’s Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit Section Chair Carlo Cornejo, MD shared that Ozempic is also part of his treatment plan for his own blood sugar and heart problems.

In his practice, he also prescribes semaglutide to select patients as part of their tailor-made treatment plans. Whenever he does this, Dr. Cornejo also explains potential positive and adverse reactions to the medication, allowing for informed consent. 

“When the patient decides to go ahead and accept the recommendation to start treatment, […] we support them all the way. […] While the treatment is ongoing, we don’t leave them. We are always accessible to them in case adverse reactions develop,” he said.

The hidden costs of semaglutide

Amid the highlighted benefits of both medical and aesthetic uses of semaglutide, the uncertainty of the medication’s short- and long-term health implications remains.

According to Dr. Cornejo, the most common adverse reactions he observes in patients taking semaglutide are gastrointestinal, such as acid reflux and dyspepsia, among others. In addition, other physicians worldwide have noted other side effects like muscle mass loss, changes in menstrual cycles, and reduced skin elasticity.

When individuals stop using the medication, they may also experience rebound weight gain often caused by an increase in appetite.

Considering these concerns, both Misador and Dr. Cornejo recommend only taking the medication with the right dosage, and upon the guidance of a health professional.

Given the gray areas of the medication, semaglutide-assisted self-improvement should never be done at the expense of one’s health. When considering treatment options such as semaglutide and GLP-1, conscientious awareness of the drug’s risks alongside its benefits is essential—reinforced by stricter drug regulations and distribution for safer use.