Every day, we hear about the newest trend upon us—whether it's a new diet, superfood, or fitness routine that's taking the nation by storm, these trends are everywhere.

And social media has been abuzz lately with the concept of ‘budget Ozempic'—an over-the-counter drug normally used as a laxative and stool softener, most commonly prescribed to treat long-term constipation but sought out to aid in weight loss.

The enthusiasm around ‘budget Ozempic’ has been so high in the US that it’s reportedly contributing to shortages in pharmacies around the country. It’s become just the latest of the alternatives popular influencers are touting to replace the blockbuster prescription-required drug Ozempic—used to treat Type 2 Diabetes.

One side effect of Ozempic is significant weight loss, which has led to a massive spike in demand due to the number of people trying to obtain the drug.

Many are turning to other weight loss alternatives due to the low supply of Ozempic in the US. Image source: jcomp on Freepik.

Many have turned to the more easily accessible over-the-counter drug alternatives, this includes berberine that’s been dubbed as 'nature’s own Ozempic'.

But before you make any decisions about your health, it’s important to understand the potentially dangerous side effects associated with taking ‘budget Ozempic’ for long periods of time—as health experts from the University of Sydney’s Pharmacy School have warned any weight loss is likely to be temporary and prolonged use of these laxatives may be dangerous to your health.

So, what is ‘budget Ozempic'?

As opposed to ‘nature's own Ozempic’, ‘budget Ozempic’ is a polymer called polyethylene glycol 3350, or PEG 3350 for short.

It’s a chemical found in a range of products, such as cosmetics, archaeological preservative paints, soaps, and even missile fuel. As a medical product, it’s referred to as macrogols and is sold in Australia through pharmacies in laxative and stool-softening products.

Brand names include DulcoSoft, Movicol, OsmoLax, ClearLax and ColonLYTELY.

How does 'budget Ozempic' cause weight loss?

PEG 3350 is known as an osmotic laxative—meaning it uses osmosis to soften up your stools and treat constipation.

It is not absorbed by the body when ingested. Instead, it passes through the intestines and draws more water, therefore making your faeces more watery.

This takes more water out of your body than you put in from drinking and ultimately can lead to weight loss and dehydration.

However, it should be noted that any weight loss would be minimal. To have any marked weight loss, you'd need to keep taking PEG 3350 on a regular basis—making it a dangerous and unsustainable practice.

The reaction is also significantly different to how Ozempic works—it contains the active ingredient semaglutide, similar to a family of hormones within our body called incretins. These help regulate both blood sugar levels and weight, slowing the stomach's absorption of food and decreasing appetite, leading to sustainable weight loss.

What are the risks of using 'budget Ozempic'?

Taking PEG 3350 for a long period of time can be dangerous and other side effects you may suffer include feeling dizziness, headaches, a parched mouth, lips, or eyes.

The concentration of electrolytes (such as salt) in your body may also become too high, which can then affect the shape of your red blood cells. This makes it hard for them to carry oxygen around your body.

This may result in extreme fatigue, tiredness, and other symptoms of dehydration. Furthermore, incorrect levels of electrolytes can lead to seizures, confusion, coma or even death.

It can be particularly dangerous for those with heart disease, especially those on a sodium-restricted diet, or those with hyperkalaemia (an electrolyte disorder).

Moreover, it is also dangerous for the elderly, those with kidney problems, and very young children. Common side effects include vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, anal irritation, cramps, pain, and swelling of the abdomen.

Some people may even have allergic reactions.

Further, if you suddenly stop taking 'budget Ozempic' after a long period of taking it, you may also experience withdrawal symptoms such as bloating, weight gain, constipation, and fluid retention.

To summarise, PEG 3350 products are unsafe and definitely not an effective solution for those struggling with weight loss.

Any weight loss resulting from the use of the product is temporary and may put users' health at risk.

Other safer and more effective solutions such as eating healthily and exercising regularly would be better for everyone’s health.

Tip

Always consult your GP for any lifestyle changes you’d like to try and medication options to help with weight loss.

Key Takeaways

• Drugs normally used as laxatives are being dubbed 'budget Ozempic' and touted as weight loss aids on social media, which has reportedly led to shortages in US pharmacies.
  
• 'Budget Ozempic' is the polymer polyethylene glycol 3350, or PEG 3350, which is used in laxative and stool-softening products. It can cause temporary weight loss through dehydration.
  
• Long-term use of these laxatives can be dangerous, leading to dehydration, hypertonic blood serum, which can affect the shape of your red blood cells, and other serious problems affecting the heart and muscles.
  
• Experts advise that PEG 3350-based products are not a safe and effective solution for weight loss, and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen is a better approach.
  

Members, do you know of anyone using these 'budget Ozempic' as alternatives for weight loss? Share this article with them to raise awareness of its possible effect on their health.

Let us know your thoughts on this article below!

 

[Jest]

this one gets me angry. It was supposedly for type 2 diabetics. not for the vain.

 

[Marilynne]

Every day, we hear about the newest trend upon us—whether it's a new diet, superfood, or fitness routine that's taking the nation by storm, these trends are everywhere.

And social media has been abuzz lately with the concept of ‘budget Ozempic'—an over-the-counter drug normally used as a laxative and stool softener, most commonly prescribed to treat long-term constipation but sought out to aid in weight loss.

The enthusiasm around ‘budget Ozempic’ has been so high in the US that it’s reportedly contributing to shortages in pharmacies around the country. It’s become just the latest of the alternatives popular influencers are touting to replace the blockbuster prescription-required drug Ozempic—used to treat Type 2 Diabetes.

One side effect of Ozempic is significant weight loss, which has led to a massive spike in demand due to the number of people trying to obtain the drug.

View attachment 30238

Many are turning to other weight loss alternatives due to the low supply of Ozempic in the US. Image source: jcomp on Freepik.

Many have turned to the more easily accessible over-the-counter drug alternatives, this includes berberine that’s been dubbed as 'nature’s own Ozempic'.

But before you make any decisions about your health, it’s important to understand the potentially dangerous side effects associated with taking ‘budget Ozempic’ for long periods of time—as health experts from the University of Sydney’s Pharmacy School have warned any weight loss is likely to be temporary and prolonged use of these laxatives may be dangerous to your health.

So, what is ‘budget Ozempic'?

As opposed to ‘nature's own Ozempic’, ‘budget Ozempic’ is a polymer called polyethylene glycol 3350, or PEG 3350 for short.

It’s a chemical found in a range of products, such as cosmetics, archaeological preservative paints, soaps, and even missile fuel. As a medical product, it’s referred to as macrogols and is sold in Australia through pharmacies in laxative and stool-softening products.

Brand names include DulcoSoft, Movicol, OsmoLax, ClearLax and ColonLYTELY.

How does 'budget Ozempic' cause weight loss?

PEG 3350 is known as an osmotic laxative—meaning it uses osmosis to soften up your stools and treat constipation.

It is not absorbed by the body when ingested. Instead, it passes through the intestines and draws more water, therefore making your faeces more watery.

This takes more water out of your body than you put in from drinking and ultimately can lead to weight loss and dehydration.

However, it should be noted that any weight loss would be minimal. To have any marked weight loss, you'd need to keep taking PEG 3350 on a regular basis—making it a dangerous and unsustainable practice.

The reaction is also significantly different to how Ozempic works—it contains the active ingredient semaglutide, similar to a family of hormones within our body called incretins. These help regulate both blood sugar levels and weight, slowing the stomach's absorption of food and decreasing appetite, leading to sustainable weight loss.

What are the risks of using 'budget Ozempic'?

Taking PEG 3350 for a long period of time can be dangerous and other side effects you may suffer include feeling dizziness, headaches, a parched mouth, lips, or eyes.

The concentration of electrolytes (such as salt) in your body may also become too high, which can then affect the shape of your red blood cells. This makes it hard for them to carry oxygen around your body.

This may result in extreme fatigue, tiredness, and other symptoms of dehydration. Furthermore, incorrect levels of electrolytes can lead to seizures, confusion, coma or even death.

It can be particularly dangerous for those with heart disease, especially those on a sodium-restricted diet, or those with hyperkalaemia (an electrolyte disorder).

Moreover, it is also dangerous for the elderly, those with kidney problems, and very young children. Common side effects include vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, anal irritation, cramps, pain, and swelling of the abdomen.

Some people may even have allergic reactions.

Further, if you suddenly stop taking 'budget Ozempic' after a long period of taking it, you may also experience withdrawal symptoms such as bloating, weight gain, constipation, and fluid retention.

To summarise, PEG 3350 products are unsafe and definitely not an effective solution for those struggling with weight loss.

Any weight loss resulting from the use of the product is temporary and may put users' health at risk.

Other safer and more effective solutions such as eating healthily and exercising regularly would be better for everyone’s health.

Tip

Always consult your GP for any lifestyle changes you’d like to try and medication options to help with weight loss.

Key Takeaways

• Drugs normally used as laxatives are being dubbed 'budget Ozempic' and touted as weight loss aids on social media, which has reportedly led to shortages in US pharmacies.
• 'Budget Ozempic' is the polymer polyethylene glycol 3350, or PEG 3350, which is used in laxative and stool-softening products. It can cause temporary weight loss through dehydration.
• Long-term use of these laxatives can be dangerous, leading to dehydration, hypertonic blood serum, which can affect the shape of your red blood cells, and other serious problems affecting the heart and muscles.
• Experts advise that PEG 3350-based products are not a safe and effective solution for weight loss, and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen is a better approach.

Members, do you know of anyone using these 'budget Ozempic' as alternatives for weight loss? Share this article with them to raise awareness of its possible effect on their health.

Let us know your thoughts on this article below!

I remember many years ago young women would take these sorts of tablets if they were going out for a big night at the weekend. They would start on a Monday and finish on the Thursday. Personally, I could not think of anything worse.