We noticed it right away in 2005 when the first GLP-1 medication for people with diabetes hit the market.<\/p>\n
I was part of a team of registered dietitians and certified diabetes educators at the time.<\/p>\n
Our patients were not exactly thrilled when they learned this new medication required two daily injections with a needle.<\/p>\n
But they were over the moon when they experienced the main side effect: weight loss.<\/p>\n
As word of this new class of diabetes medication spread, many of my overweight patients who did not have diabetes wished they could use it to help lose weight.<\/p>\n
They couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Fast forward a couple of decades.<\/p>\n
This particular category of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1) is still used to treat type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n
But this same class of medications has now been approved to treat obesity as well.<\/p>\n
For example, semaglutide and newly-approved orforglipron are now marketed specifically for weight loss with a simple once-a-week injection or once-a-day pill respectively.<\/p>\n
The result?<\/p>\n
Many overweight people \u2013 with or without diabetes \u2013 are losing weight with these medications.<\/p>\n
And along with weight loss come some side effects.<\/p>\n
Rapid weight loss associated with these drugs has caused some experts to coin the term \u201cOzempic face\u201d to describe what happens when a person loses a significant amount of facial fat. (Ozempic is the brand name for the preparation of semaglutide approved to treat type 2 diabetes.)<\/p>\n
Wrinkles become more apparent, eyes appear to sink in and cheeks begin to sag.<\/p>\n
Slower, but steady, weight loss can sometimes prevent this.<\/p>\n
Rapid weight loss can also cause weakness due to a sudden loss of muscle mass.<\/p>\n
To prevent this, the body needs a daily intake of protein and a steady habit of exercise.<\/p>\n