‘Stop taking my drugs’: Calls to stop online weight loss trend

A woman who lives with Type-2 Diabetes has called out people using the drug for weight loss after a concerning TikTok trend led to a nationwide medication shortage. See what’s happening here

People living with Diabetes have been unable to access their medication, after a concerning online trend has led to a nationwide shortage.

A video which went viral on social media platform TikTok and encouraged people wanting to lose weight to take Ozempic – a Type-2 Diabetes medication, has led to a shortage of the drugs in Australia.

Initially, the medication was only prescribed to those living with Diabetes to lower their sugar levels and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events including heart attacks, but is now available for ‘off-label’ prescribing.

A nationwide shortage of Ozempic has occurred as a result of people using the drug for weight loss, leaving people who live with Type-2 Diabetes with no other option.

Now Toowoomba’s Jude Heppes has issued an urgent plea to people using the drug for weight loss purposes.

Ms Heppes who was diagnosed with Type-2 Diabetes a few years ago, has tried several different types of medication and insulin injections in the past, but they failed to lower her sugar levels or left her with serious side effects.

“To the people who are getting it for weight loss, go on a diet, but don’t take medication away from the people who really need it,” she said.

“If I go to bed with my sugar levels too low, I won’t wake up in the morning – it’s my life at stake here.”

Ms Heppes recalled one incident where her levels dropped so low that she became very sick, had cold sweats, lost her ability to speak and had to be taken to hospital.

The Toowoomba woman recently spent days trying to source a box of Ozempic, which she estimated would cover six weeks’ worth of supply, taking both a physical and mental toll.

“I rang just about every chemist in Toowoomba until I finally found one box,” she said.

“Mentally, I’ve been a bit of a mess and I’ve been so stressed out at the thought of not being able to get my medication.”

Husband and wife Ron and Jude Heppes have called out people who are taking Ozempic for weight loss purposes, leading to a nationwide shortage of the type 2 diabetes medication. Picture: Rhylea Millar

A spokeswoman from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said the organisation introduced mandatory reporting details of all shortages and discontinuations of prescription and over the counter medicines in January 2019.

She said this information is regularly updated on the TGA website to ensure patients, doctors and pharmacists are aware of any impact.

“The sponsor (Novo Nordisk) of Ozempic in Australia, has informed the TGA that the off-label use of Ozempic for weight loss in Australia has increased over recent months,” the spokeswoman said.

“Novo Nordisk has advised the TGA that supplies of Ozempic in Australia are sufficient for its approved use.”

Australia’s Ozempic supply levels are currently expected to increase by June, 15.

The TGA recently issued a joint statement, urging health professionals to prioritise people with Type-2 Diabetes during the shortage and limit prescribing the medication for other reasons.

To read the full statement, visit tga.gov.au.