Do you really know? How did Ozempic get so popular?
Sep 9, 2025
The podcast dives into the skyrocketing popularity of Ozempic, a diabetes medication lauded for weight loss. It highlights celebrity endorsements, particularly from Elon Musk, and the buzz on platforms like TikTok, boasting billions of views. The discussion also touches on the implications of Ozempic's popularity, including drug supply issues for diabetes patients and potential risks associated with its use. In just a few minutes, listeners get a concise overview of how this medication became a cultural phenomenon.
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How Ozempic Works
- Ozempic (semaglutide) is a diabetes drug that mimics GLP-1 and reduces appetite by slowing gastric emptying.
- Its weight-loss effect comes from increased fullness and boosted insulin response during digestion.
Celebrity And Social Media Fueling Demand
- Ozempic's popularity surged via celebrity endorsements and social media buzz, notably Elon Musk tweets and TikTok trends.
- Social amplification turned a diabetes drug into a mainstream weight-loss phenomenon.
Supply Strain And Ethical Risk
- Rising off-label use for weight loss strained global supply and risked depriving diabetics of needed medication.
- Novo Nordisk reported intermittent shortages as diversion and off‑label prescribing increased demand.