Understanding Semaglutide, Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro: Insights from Dr. Ken Berry

Doctor Ken Berry, is a board-certified family physician who has treated over 20,000 patients with a focus on reversing hyperinsulinemia, diabetes and obesity. Doctor Berry best sets the tone by stating that, “while it is important for your doctor to explain the benefits of a particular medication, it is also important to understand the unintended consequences of those medications, as well.”

Let’s begin by explaining exactly what Ozempic and Wegovy are.

The active ingredient in both Ozempic and Wegovy is semaglutide, which belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 agonists. These drugs bind to receptors on insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, stimulating the production and release of insulin, thereby playing a crucial role in blood sugar regulation. Semaglutide also targets the hypothalamus (a part of your brain) by affecting neurons (nerve cells) within the brain that control appetite.

These drugs likely work by slowing the stomach’s natural emptying process, which helps prevent a steep rise in blood glucose levels after eating. Ozempic and Wegovy also work by binding to the receptors that stimulate insulin release from the pancreas.

In addition to this, they help to reduce the amount of sugar released by your liver. The combination of these effects helps to lower your A1C and blood sugar levels, and may also help reduce your appetite.

Novo Nordisk markets both Ozempic and Wegovy, but they are available in different dosages. Wegovy is available at a weekly dose of 2.4 mg, whereas Ozempic typically starts at a dose of 0.5-1.0 mg. While Ozempic has demonstrated some weight loss effects, these results are notably lower than those of Wegovy because Wegovy’s dosage is 2.5 to 5 times higher. Consequently, Ozempic’s dosage increased to 2.0 mg, raising concerns for many because it involves administering a substantially larger dose at one time. In April of this year, officials announced that Ozempic could be used off-label for weight loss, despite its original approval for diabetes. This off-label usage suggests potential benefits for individuals beyond the drug’s approved indications.

Risks and Concerns

Early research indicates that these medications can shrink fat cells, but they also increase the overall number of fat cells. This means your body ends up with more fat cells to fill! If you’ve ever been on a diet, you’re likely aware of how quickly fat cells can refill once you resume regular eating habits.

AARP released a 2-page article on why no one over 50 should take these medications; and the New England Journal of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic have also stated that they knew in 2020-21 the average weight loss for people was 15-16% in 12-15 months. That’s 20-25 pounds, if you weigh 200, in a year or more.

They also stated that in the initial 3 months, weight loss was 6%, and that 25% of it was muscle and bone loss. This is not what anyone needs, let alone someone over 50. Additionally, they observed kidney damage, gastroparesis, vision changes, and pancreatitis—none of which appeared in the drug manufacturer’s studies.

Another important factor is that there are no long-term safety data on these much higher doses of Ozempic and Wegovy than the initial GLP-1 agonists. Therefore, these medications approved for long-term use lack long-term studies to demonstrate their safety.

In fact, Dr. Berry says that if you are taking Ozempic or Wegovy for weight loss, you are now the study. It’s called a market analysis. You’re the guinea pig.

Looking Ahead

Next week, we will delve deeper into the perspectives of the FDA, French researchers, the European Medicines Agency, Health Canada, and the New England Journal of Medicine regarding Ozempic and Wegovy. Understanding the broader implications of these medications is crucial for making informed decisions about weight loss and overall health. Stay tuned for more insights!