“Ozempic” will officially appear in Ukraine. Why doctors warn against dangerous weight loss “from the internet”

This new-generation drug helps control diabetes and weight, but self-medication can lead to serious consequences.

З 15 травня популярний у світі препарат "Оземпік" з'явиться в апеках України / фото Unsplash

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Starting May 15, Ukraine plans to launch official sales of the drug “Ozempic,” which is used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, writes "UP". It can be purchased only with a doctor's prescription and exclusively in licensed pharmacies. At the same time, medical professionals are already sounding the alarm because Ukrainians often order the drug online without consultations or examinations — primarily for rapid weight loss.

About why “Ozempic” is called a breakthrough in diabetes treatment, what risks uncontrolled use of the drug carries, and why a “magic weight loss pill” does not exist, Tvoe Misto was told by Solomiya Mykytyuk, an endocrinologist at the endocrinology department of the 4th Hospital of the Second Medical Association of Lviv.

According to the physician, the main active ingredient of the drug is semaglutide — a modern agent that has already been actively used in global endocrinology for several years. Its effectiveness is confirmed by large-scale international studies.

“In clinical practice, semaglutide is already used to treat type 2 diabetes. According to the results of the large-scale SUSTAIN studies, the drug demonstrates a reduction in glycated hemoglobin levels by 1.5–1.8%, which significantly exceeds the performance of most oral blood-sugar-lowering agents,” explains the doctor.

According to her, the drug not only helps stabilize blood sugar levels but also significantly reduces the risks of cardiovascular complications.

“In addition to glycemic control, this drug provides pronounced cardiovascular protection, reducing the risk of major cardiovascular complications by 26%. For patients with comorbid obesity, a significant advantage is weight reduction — on average from 5% to 15% of the initial weight,” says Solomiya Mykytyuk.

How “Ozempic” works and why it is called a “smart regulator”

Semaglutide belongs to a new generation of drugs that act much more precisely than classic blood-sugar-lowering agents. Doctors explain: the drug does not “force” the body to constantly produce insulin, but rather reacts specifically to an increase in sugar levels.

“Semaglutide works as a smart regulator: it activates insulin secretion only when sugar levels are actually elevated. In addition, it slows gastrointestinal motility, which prevents sharp spikes in blood glucose,” explains the endocrinologist.

At the same time, the drug has a number of side effects that are often omitted in social media or advertising videos about “rapid weight loss.”

“There is a risk of nausea and diarrhea, and as a result — dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. There are risks of biliary pathology and pancreatitis due to prolonged stimulation of the pancreas. In some cases, the slowing of motility becomes critical,” the doctor notes.

Also, according to Solomiya Mykytyuk, a sharp drop in glucose levels in patients with diabetes can temporarily worsen the condition of retinal vessels. And for people with a family history of medullary thyroid cancer, the drug is contraindicated altogether.

“Ozempic Face”: how the pursuit of rapid weight loss can harm health

Recently, the so-called “Ozempic Face” — the effect of premature facial aging due to rapid weight loss — has been actively discussed on social media. Doctors say the problem is not imagined.

“A visual effect of premature aging can be caused by a sharp loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue. Along with it, the body often loses a significant portion of muscle mass, which can lead to weakness and metabolic disorders in the future,” says Solomiya Mykytyuk.

Despite this, the number of people wishing to “lose weight with injections” is constantly increasing. It is especially dangerous that some people order the drug via the internet or social media, without a doctor's consultation and even without confirmation of a diagnosis.

“It is important to understand that semaglutide is a serious pharmacological agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disorders, not a tool for correcting a few extra pounds. Only a doctor can objectively assess the feasibility of therapy, taking into account the patient's health status and potential risks,” the endocrinologist emphasizes.

She adds that purchasing the drug outside of pharmacy chains carries another threat — the risk of buying a counterfeit.

“Using such drugs without medical indications risks extremely negative consequences, and purchasing them outside of pharmacy chains significantly increases the risk of receiving a fake. We sincerely ask you — do not self-medicate,” the doctor emphasizes.

Diabetes is becoming a global pandemic

According to medical professionals, the emergence of new drugs is a response to the rapid increase in the number of diabetes patients worldwide. Today, it is one of the greatest global threats to healthcare systems.

“The number of people with diabetes worldwide has already exceeded 800 million, and forecasts point to an increase to 1.3 billion by 2050,” notes Solomiya Mykytyuk.

At the same time, modern drugs allow not only for blood sugar control but also for a comprehensive effect on the body.

“Semaglutide acts as a comprehensive metabolic regulator: it not only stabilizes sugar levels but also protects the cardiovascular system and kidneys, helps reduce inflammation, and improves the lipid profile. By affecting the satiety centers in the brain, the drug helps overcome food addiction and form healthy habits,” explains the doctor.

Medical professionals emphasize that despite high treatment results, “Ozempic” is not a universal remedy for everyone. The drug requires careful medical supervision, examinations, and properly selected dosage.

And although the official entry of the drug into the Ukrainian market could be an important step for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, doctors once again urge Ukrainians not to trust advice from social media and not to turn a serious medical drug into a trendy method for quick weight loss.

As a reminder, the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control previously reported that the drug "Ozempic" is already registered in Ukraine and included in the State Register of Medicinal Products.

In April 2026, certain batches of the drug were submitted for state quality control before its potential release into circulation. After completing all necessary procedures, "Ozempic" may be officially sold throughout the territory of Ukraine without restrictions.