Nairobi, August 19- Ozempic, once prescribed mainly for managing type 2 diabetes, has now become a household name in Kenya as a fast-track weight loss solution. From social media endorsements to celebrity testimonials, the injectable drug has been hailed for its dramatic results in shedding excess weight without the grind of dieting or gym routines.
But doctors are cautioning that the hype masks serious, and sometimes life threatening, side effects especially for people living with type 1 diabetes.
Medical experts warn that while Ozempic and similar GLP-1 drugs stimulate insulin production in type 2 diabetes patients, they can dangerously destabilize blood sugar levels in type 1 patients who already depend on lifelong insulin therapy. Overuse could lead to hypoglycemia a sharp drop in blood sugar that may spiral into ketosis, a life-threatening condition.
The risks are growing at a time when obesity is increasingly being reported among young people with type 1 diabetes, reversing decades of trends where most were of average or below-average weight.
Beyond physical complications, scientists are also uncovering mental health concerns linked to GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. A 2025 study in Current Neuropharmacology revealed that these medications interact with genes tied to mood regulation and dopamine activity. Researchers from the U.S., Brazil, Iran, and Israel found that such interactions may trigger depressive symptoms in individuals genetically predisposed to mental health struggles.
While Ozempic has earned global recognition for its ability to support weight loss and protect the heart and kidneys, Kenyan doctors are urging caution, stressing that the drug is not a “one-size-fits-all” solution.
As the weight-loss trend gains momentum locally, experts say the real challenge lies in educating the public particularly those influenced by online celebrity culture about who should and should not be using these potent drugs.
