Amy Schumer Slams Celebs For Using Ozempic Even Though She Tried It For Weight Loss: "Just Be Real With People"
She stopped taking the drug because the side effects were negatively affecting her day-to-day life.
Actor and comedian Amy Schumer recently spoke candidly about her past experience with the type 2 diabetes drug, Ozempic, a medication that she and others have been prescribed as an off-label weight loss drug. In a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, the 43-year-old Hollywood star shared why she discontinued its use, attributing her decision to the medication's side effects.
"I tried it a year ago," Schumer shared, expressing that it was initially an attractive prospect for weight loss. However, the ensuing side effects forced her to reevaluate its benefits. "I was one of those people that felt so sick and couldn’t play with my son," she disclosed, referencing her 4-year-old son, Gene. The debilitating side effects of Ozempic made her too weak to engage in regular play activities with him, despite her significantly reduced weight.
Schumer emphasized that although she was "immediately invested" in the medication initially, she quickly discovered that the side effects made the drug "unlivable" for her. In the same interview, she expressed disdain for celebrities who use Ozempic.
Amy Schumer Slams Celebs for Using Ozempic Even Though She Tried It for Weight Loss
Schumer suggested that many celebrities have been dishonest about their use of such drugs for weight loss. "Everyone’s like: 'Smaller portions,'" she joked, highlighting the dismissive responses she's heard when weight loss methods are discussed. "Shut the f*ck up. You’re on Ozempic.”
Schumer, who underwent liposuction in January 2022, exemplified the transparency she advocates for, stating, "When I got lipo, I was like, 'I got lipo.'" She said celebrities should be much more forthright about the procedures they get and the drugs they take to make themselves look the way they do.
“Just stop,” Schumer said. “Just be real with the people.”
Celebrities like the Kardashian sisters and Mindy Kaling are suspected to have used Ozempic, but there are a couple celebrities—Elon Musk and Chelsea Handler—who have admitted to using the drug for weight loss.
With the return of the '90s "heroin chic" body aesthetic, the use of weight loss medications has become alarmingly popular. After the Met Gala and Paris Fashion Week, search trends for Ozempic and similar medications reached an all-time high. The rise in off-label use poses a concerning echo of the dangerous fen-phen weight loss drug trend of the '90s.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed numerous side effects associated with the use of semaglutide-based drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Common symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, indigestion, dizziness, and various digestive disorders. More serious complications can include thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, acute kidney injury, increased heart rate, and even suicidal thoughts or behaviors. A recent study found that these drugs could increase the likelihood of developing thyroid cancer by 60%. Another troubling side effect of these medications is the rapid facial aging, termed "Ozempic face." Dermatologists warn against this drastic side effect that often takes users by surprise.
Online pharmacies, seeking to cash in on this trend, are increasingly popular. The e-pharmacy market is projected to be worth over $200 billion in the next five years, driven by direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising. But convenience and privacy come at a cost, with patients often skipping a comprehensive doctor's consultation in favor of a quick prescription.
Weight loss medications are particularly prevalent in the e-pharmacy business model. However, doctors warn that these drugs are not miracle weight loss solutions. They come with significant side effects and require a healthy diet and regular exercise for optimal results. Moreover, these drugs are often marketed as "FDA Cleared," but they are not "FDA Approved" for weight loss purposes. This off-label use means the FDA has not vetted these drugs for their safety or effectiveness for weight loss.
This trend has also had devastating impacts on the supply of essential medications for diabetes patients. The rise in Ozempic use has led to shortages, leaving diabetic patients, who rely on these medications to manage their condition, at risk.
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