[Reporter] Between the hype on social media and the relentless TV ads
Questions are swirling around this Type 2 diabetes medication
[TV ad] And you may lose weight
[Reporter] So how well does it work for weight loss
and who should be taking it?
This is an important medication for us because it changed the entire playing field
I really like this idea.
[Reporter] Dr. Sean Wharton specializes in diabetes and weight management.
He emphasizes obesity is a complex medical problem not a moral failing.
Aside from bariatric surgery there's been no highly effective treatment.
Wharton studied Ozempic for the drug maker.
Studies funded mostly by Novo Nordisk found in combination with a low-calorie diet
and exercise 86 per cent of people on the drug
lost between 5 and 15 per cent of their body weight after a year.
Over the past five years only we've had this new field of medication that really works
patients are finally getting some relief from this medical condition
that has plagued them for a long time.
It is gratifying to see a widespread knowledge now surrounding these medicines
of course that comes with a concern.
[Reporter] In scientific circles, Dr. Daniel Drucker is a big deal.
His work laid the foundation for this new field of diabetes and weight-loss medications \using the drug semiglutide it works through receptors on cells semiglutide tricks the brain it mimics a hormone that regulates hunger and food intake it slows down the emptying of the stomach so people feel Fuller longer potentially leading to weight loss but studies also showed side effects including stomach pain vomiting and fatigue the drug also increases the risk of suicidal behavior and thyroid cancer these are medicines they're not harmless candies that people take and medicines can have side effects and need to be used appropriately doctors also note the weight only stays off as long as you keep taking the drug I can understand why people want to believe that there's a quick and easy solution but it's not there Dr Nav Prasad says fad diets
using the drug semaglutide.
It works through receptors on cells.
[Reporter] Semaglutide tricks the brain, it mimics a hormone that regulates hunger and food intake
it slows down the emptying of the stomach so people feel fuller longer
potentially leading to weight loss.
But studies also showed side effects including stomach pain, vomiting and fatigue.
The drug also increases the risk of suicidal behaviour and thyroid cancer.
These are medicines, they're not harmless candies that people take
and medicines can have side effects and need to be used appropriately.
[Reporter] Doctors also note the weight only stays off as long as you keep taking the drug.
I can understand why people want to believe that there's a quick and easy solution, but it's not there.
[Reporter] Dr. Nav Prasad says fad diets also offer quick weight loss that doesn't last.
And he warns diet drugs have come and gone.
We've seen it happen many times where there were these heralded wonder drugs
That turned out not to work or to harm or kill people.
[Reporter] In France, a diet drug that started as a Type 2 diabetes treatment
is now being blamed for thousands of deaths due to heart valve problems.
Other drugs have had similar problems some including endocannabioids
have led to psychiatric side effects including suicides.
I got to the point where it was about 360 pounds
I was hypertensive, had severe sleep apnea.
[Reporter] Ian Patton works for obesity Canada which receives money from Novo-Nordisk
He's been taking Ozempic for two years and has lost about 50 pounds
Patton says for him the benefits of easing other obesity related problems,
outweighs the risk from the drug, but
It's not something that someone should be taking to lose that 10 pounds
before they go for their wedding or their beach vacation this is for people who are sick.
So, Christine I'm going to presume that this is an injectable drug?
That's right. So Ian, whom we just heard from injects himself with it once a week
and it costs about $250 a month but keep in mind
as we mentioned if you want to keep that weight off you have to take this drug for the rest of your life
so it becomes a larger expense and also
there's no studies that have been done for anyone taking this drug for the rest of their life
and the effect on their overall health
So what do people need to watch for next in terms of you know making an actual informed decision about this?
Well I think it really is the research a lot of the research has been done on people with diabetes
and the overall safety profile for them is good
we haven't seen what it does in people with obesity for very long
there is a study that's being done it's set to come out this summer the results of it
and people are hopeful. The dosage is different people with diabetes get a lower dose
than people with obesity. And I should emphasize though there are studies happening for people with obesity
doctors say there are no studies for people who are just taking this drug to lose a few pounds
to go to an event and for them the risks far outweigh the benefits.
OK this is always good to know.
Christine, thank you.
You're welcome