Ozempic for kids? Inside the debate on adolescents taking weight-loss drugs

[marmar]

Ozempic for kids? Inside the debate on adolescents taking weight-loss drugs
Adolescents are being prescribed semaglutide for obesity, but some experts are concerned about band-aid solutions

By NICOLE KARLIS
Senior Writer
PUBLISHED MARCH 19, 2024 5:30AM (EDT)


(Salon) Time and time again, public health officials say childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States. Dr. Christopher F. Bolling, a retired pediatrician and volunteer professor of pediatrics and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, told Salon he’s personally seen childhood obesity rise in the U.S. through the culmination of his own practice, which he started in the late 1980s.

....(snip)....

The report comes nearly a year after the much-criticized childhood obesity treatment guidelines were released in 2023, which included a mix of recommendations, ranging from behavior and lifestyle treatment to anti-obesity medication and bariatric surgery. Specifically, AAP said doctors should offer weight loss drugs to adolescents diagnosed with obesity at age 12 or older. Severe obesity is defined as a BMI of 120% of the 95th percentile, or roughly the 99th percentile, for age and sex.

Judging from headlines at the time, these suggestions alarmed eating disorder specialists. Yet over a year later, anecdotal data shows that those guidelines are likely being followed as more reports surface about adolescents and teens being prescribed anti-obesity drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which has the generic name semaglutide.

....(snip)....

In January, a report came out that found 1 in 10 teens worldwide have used so-called “budget Ozempic” laxatives and other risky weight loss products to lose weight. Since the drugs aren’t meant to be used to treat obesity in teens, the study’s authors expressed concern that this trend could pose immediate and longer-term health risks. .............(more)

https://www.salon.com/2024/03/19/ozempic-for-kids-inside-the-debate-on-adolescents-taking-weight-loss/

[hlthe2b]

1. Damn. We don't even have long terms studies on adults yet...

And I've seen a handful of the worst complications--gastric paresis (which although that impacts its effectiveness, it can be longstanding and lead to impactions, obstruction, gastrointestinal surgery, and in worst cases, at least a temporary colostomy). Granted, the aforementioned are quite rare, but the extensive nausea from gastroparesis (partial paralysis of stomach musculature) is not and certainly unpleasant.

I appreciate the significant impact this can make--not only on obesity (and diabetes as it was intended to be used) but likewise cardiovascular disease. But in all things, we need to know the adverse risks. Especially before it is used widely in children.

[2naSalit]

2. I've read that...

Some of these drugs, if not all, are "forever drugs" that once you start taking them, you can't stop without major problems. Are these drugs like that?

I don't know what those problems would be but I recall a doc trying to put me on one of those drugs, one I didn't need, and I declined. Aside from the ongoing cost, it was something that was not a migraine drug but for something unrelated.

[Voltaire2]

3. If you stop taking them you will typically regain your weight.

They do not appear to reset your metabolic weight set point.

[2naSalit]

4. Thanks.

I try to avoid pharmaceuticals, so far I have been fortunate in not having long term issues requiring meds. The kind that sound addicting are the ones I try to avoid the most.

[Voltaire2]

6. On the other hand, these drugs have been used by diabetics for quite a while

and are considered safe and effective. They are not addictive, at least in a clinical sense, but as noted, if you stop you will likely regain your weight.

Obesity is a huge health problem. If these drugs work for people there is no good reason to not use them.

[Docreed2003]

5. These medications are not a magic bullet and I would be extremely wary of using them in the adolescent population

These drugs have not even been fully studied long term in adults. The side effect profile of these medications is not benign and patients can have long lasting effects. I have the feeling that it won't be long before the use of these drugs will be severely curtailed and we will begin seeing commercials with "Have you or a loved one been injured by Ozempic"

[no_hypocrisy]

7. WTF! The kids will be on that drug for

the rest of their lives, for decades. It’s like Insulin; you just can’t stop it.