Over the past few years, the use of the diabetes medication Ozempic has significantly increased in Denmark, but a new study from Aarhus University and University of Southern Denmark reveals that many of the users do not actually suffer from diabetes. Ozempic, developed by the Danish company Novo Nordisk and launched in 2018, was originally approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, the medication has also gained popularity due to its effects on weight loss, leading to a broader usage among non-diabetics.
“Even though the medication is not approved for weight loss alone, one in every three Danes who started on Ozempic in 2022 did not have diabetes,” says Reimar W. Thomsen, professor at Aarhus University and chief physician at Aarhus University Hospital. The study shows that the number of Danes using Ozempic has increased tenfold since 2018. The research also indicates a trend towards younger users and more women starting to use the medication. Additionally, Ozempic is now being prescribed earlier in the course of diabetes treatment and at lower blood sugar levels than before.
“General practitioners confirm that there has been a certain patient pressure to obtain Ozempic, where the desire for weight loss has been a significant factor,” Thomsen adds. This trend raises questions about the future use of diabetes medication and the necessity of clearer guidelines for off-label use, especially when it comes to medications that can also affect other aspects of health such as weight.