Raven-Symoné is not here for the recent Hollywood trend of using Type 2 diabetes medication, Ozempic, for weight loss purposes.
“I have pre-diabetes in my family and diabetes in my family,” she explained in an interview with E! News. “If I’m not careful with my intake of types of foods, I am more susceptible to getting diabetes. So, I think it’s very important we understand certain medications are made for certain people and to not take that away just for glamazon purposes.”
The former Disney star says that she knows people who use the drug to regulate their hormones and actually need it.
“I think it’s sad because we can regulate our own hormones and manage our sugar levels by eating the correct foods and cutting our addiction of sugar off, but we’ll get there when we get there,” Raven-Symoné told E! News.”Do what you gotta do, Just make sure you save some medication for the people that actually need it.”
About Ozempic
Ozempic is an injectable for Type 2 diabetes that has gained attention due to its weight loss effects. Ozempic and other similar drugs like Wegovy, can result in suppressed appetite, leading to rapid weight loss. Because of the side effects, the purchase of the drug by those looking to lose weight has drastically impacted the availability for those with diabetes. In fact, the FDA recently reported a shortage of Ozempic due to the increased demand for the drug.
Other celebrities have expressed their concerns about using Ozempic for weight loss when not medically necessary. Medical professionals are “concerned” over the trend. And many believe that patients need to work with their providers to evaluate and assess their weight and best treatment options.
“You’re taking away from patients with diabetes,” Dr. Caroline Apovian, co-director of the Center for Weight Management and Wellness at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, explained to PEOPLE. “We have lifesaving drugs… and the United States public that really needs these drugs can’t get them.”