Ozempic was all the hype for the Met Gala 2023, and now ‘budget Ozempic’ is trending. So what’s the scoop?
By Ava Wilde
Social media is going off about this thing they’re calling ‘budget Ozempic’. And I’m like, what’s that now? Turns out, they are using laxatives and stool softeners (yes, you read that right!) to shed some pounds. The trend’s become so big in the U.S., there are even whispers about it causing shortages in pharmacies. Whew!
Now, ‘budget Ozempic’ is the latest thing influencers are putting up against the big-shot drug, Ozempic. Which is mainly used for type 2 diabetes – but a side effect is weight loss. Remember loads of celebs were using it to drop weight for the Met Gala?
Well with Ozempic becoming a hot commodity, some peeps are now switching to over-the-counter stuff like berberine. They’re even calling it ‘nature’s own Ozempic’.
Hold up, though. Let’s talk about what’s in this ‘budget Ozempic’. It’s polyethylene glycol 3350, aka PEG 3350. Sounds scientific, right? You might’ve bumped into this guy in cosmetics, soaps, or even…wait for it…missile fuel! It’s not the thing in antifreeze, just FYI. Its main gig? Laxatives and pre-colonoscopy cleansers.
So, how does it help drop weight? PEG 3350 draws water, making your poop watery and dehydrating you.
But what people don’t realise is using this ‘budget’ option can be risky business. Not only can it get you dehydrated, but it can also mess with your blood, and in extreme cases… be fatal. It’s especially sketchy for those with heart issues, the elderly, kids, or certain medical conditions. And the side effects? Yikes – think cramps, nausea, and even allergic reactions.
Not fun.
So if you’re not in a happy place with your body and want to make some healthy changes, chat to your GP.
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