Nearly 1 in 10 global teens have used “budget Ozempic” laxatives and other risky weight-loss products, per study
New weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have garnered a lot of attention in the past year, but they aren’t always easy to get, especially for young people. Instead, teens surfing TikTok often see other options that don’t even require a doctor’s note. Berberine, for example, is a supplement that has been referred to online as “nature’s Ozempic.” Then there’s what some influencers call “budget Ozempic” — laxatives.
Nearly one in 10 adolescents around the globe have used non-prescription weight loss products like these already in their lifetime, according to new research published Wednesday in JAMA Network Open. Experts say the use of such products at a young age can pose both immediate and longer-term health risks.
