Ozempic: Luxembourg in the face of drifts of the slimming pill

Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, Lizzo. We no longer count the stars who admitted to having used the medication Ozempic and its analogues, whose effects for weight loss are sometimes spectacular. Unwelcome advertising, which has created many eddies in Luxembourg, where shortages were felt, from 2023.

“GLP-1 agonists are now one of the current recommendations in cardiovascular pharmacology for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in Europe, partly explaining the increase in their prescription,” summarizes the Ministry of Health which, in addition to this increased prevalence, had to face “popularity with the general public” for use ” authorized ”.

This was not without consequences with supply difficulties for patients who really needed it. Communications were carried out with healthcare professionals at the end of 2023 and mid-2014, recalls the ministry, which still had to tighten the screw with several ministerial orders, the last in December.

While the side effects of taking this drug are scrupulously monitored by the health authorities, both at the Luxembourg and European level, certain consequences are already felt. In Belgium, at least nine cases of “baby ozempic” have been listed, in connection with unwanted pregnancies. The drug and its derivatives cause an increase in fertility and a decrease in the efficiency of the pills. For the time being, no pregnancy resulting from taking this drug has been declared to the Health Department in Luxembourg.

But the ministry alerts: “Currently, it is clearly indicated in the notice that these drugs should not be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and that an effective contraception method should be used. Anyone who gets pregnant as they take these drugs must discuss them with their doctor. ”