Journal of medical ethicsJan 23, 2025

Ethical Issues of Using Ozempic and Wegovy

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Jan 20, 2026

Abstract

Semaglutide is associated with significant appetite suppression and weight loss.

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist used primarily for type II diabetes treatment.
The drug has gained popularity for its effects on appetite and weight management.
Ethical concerns surrounding semaglutide's use for weight loss are acknowledged.
Despite mixed reception, these ethical concerns do not provide conclusive reasons against its prescription for weight loss.

Simplified

Semaglutide, sold under the brand names of Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, is one of the most popular drugs on the market. Manufactured by Novo Nordisk, semaglutide is the newest in a family of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists used most commonly to treat type II diabetes. To date, the results of semaglutide for the treatment of type II diabetes have been overwhelmingly positive. It is for the drug's effects on appetite suppression and weight loss, however, that have led its surge in popularity, with many hailing semaglutide as the new 'miracle drug for weight loss'. Despite its popularity, both the governmental and popular reception to the drug has largely been mixed. In this paper, we address a range of ethical concerns and argue that while many are legitimate, they do not provide conclusive reason not to prescribe semaglutide for weight loss.

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

View Full Text ↗

Ethical Issues of Using Ozempic and Wegovy

Abstract

Full Text

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the glp-1 therapies brief

Abstract

Full Text

Related papers

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the glp-1 therapies brief