An individual who has been using Ozempic has opened up about the unexpected effects the medication has had on their social life, particularly during their ‘party girl era.’
This injectable GLP-1 medication was originally approved for managing type 2 diabetes in 2017.
In recent years, its popularity has skyrocketed, partly due to numerous celebrities opting for the drug to achieve significant weight loss in a short period.
Administered on a weekly basis, Ozempic functions by regulating blood sugar levels and stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin.
This process helps suppress appetite and leads to weight loss, although that was not its original purpose.
There are other medications specifically approved for weight loss, such as Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Saxenda.
Individuals on these medications have reported various side effects, ranging from mild digestive issues to other bodily changes.
However, one particular Ozempic user has observed a change in their party lifestyle due to the medication.
In a post on the R/Ozempic subreddit, the user shared: “Nobody warned me Ozempic would make tequila taste like battery acid.”
After an evening out with friends, the user recounted their surprising experience.
“Took one sip of a margarita and instantly felt like I was gargling Duracell. RIP to my party girl era. I’m officially retired.”
The user then sought insights from others who might have experienced similar changes. The responses varied.
One respondent commented: “Yup. I actually like it. I can’t eat crap foods, can’t drink, and have to stick to a food schedule and exercise.”
They elaborated: “I’m down 106 pounds, and I’m not complaining about a thing. It feels good to be noticeably smaller, wear smaller clothes and feel better in my body.”
“Alcohol is definitely a thing of the past, or heavy, heavy moderation. I can’t get past one mixed/watered down drink…and I’m grateful.”
Another added: “I personally just don’t even crave a drink at all anymore. Like the thought of having one sounds unpleasant.”
Another user mentioned: “I drink vodka, bourbon or gin drinks instead now. Or mocktails, mostly mocktails. But tequila doesn’t do it for me anymore unless I get my Clase Azul, sipping on that is also nice.”
Some participants claimed they experienced ‘no such issues,’ while another humorously noted: “That’s just tequila.”
Research indicates the drug has shown potential in reducing cravings for alcohol, nicotine, and opioids in some individuals and may also diminish certain compulsive behaviors, like gambling and online shopping.
Pharmacologist Elisabet Jerlhag and her team at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden discovered that GLP-1 drugs have significantly reduced alcohol relapses in ‘addicted’ rats and mice.
“So we see a reduction by over 50%, which is quite dramatic,” Jerlhag mentioned.
Dr. Lorenzo Leggio, clinical director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse, further explained that this happens because the drugs ‘also work in your brain.’
“The mechanism in the brain that regulates overeating overlaps with those responsible for the development and maintenance of addiction, including alcohol disorder,” he noted.
Ozempic’s manufacturer Novo Nordisk stated: “At Novo Nordisk patient safety always comes first.”
“Wegovy®▼(semaglutide injection) is a prescription-only medication and so all decisions regarding treatment, including lifestyle, and nutrition should be made in collaboration with and under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
“If you are taking any medication and believe you might be experiencing a side effect, please speak to your healthcare provider and report it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. The scheme exists to help the MHRA and pharmaceutical companies identify new safety issues as early as possible and monitor reactions to medicines. You can find the scheme here: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/.”