Sharon Osbourne, at the age of 71, is sharing her concerns about the use of semaglutide, a medication that has led to her significant weight loss, cautioning people to “be careful what you wish for.” Osbourne revealed that she now weighs less than 100 pounds as a result of using semaglutide.
The former talk show host began taking the medication under the brand name Ozempic, which is FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes but is also used off-label for weight loss. She started using it in December of the previous year. However, Osbourne is now sounding a warning, especially against administering it to teenagers, due to the drastic changes she has experienced in her own body.
Osbourne expressed her concerns about the addictive potential of the medication, stating, “You can lose so much weight and it’s easy to become addicted to that, which is very dangerous. I couldn’t stop losing weight, and now I’ve lost 42 pounds and I can’t afford to lose any more.”
Addressing her appearance, Osbourne acknowledged that she looks “gaunt” and expressed her desire to put on weight. She emphasized that she feels too skinny and is worried about her current weight, which has dropped below 100 pounds.
While Osbourne has been off the medication for some time, she did not specify how long she had been without it.
Her experience with semaglutide echoes the sentiments of other public figures who have used the injectable medication for weight loss. Golnesa “GG” Gharachedaghi, known for her appearance on the reality show “Shahs of Sunset,” previously shared her experiences with the medication on Instagram in June.
Gharachedaghi had reported that she lost more weight than she had anticipated while using semaglutide and had reached a weight of approximately 110 pounds after starting at 138 pounds. Consequently, she decided to reduce her dosage to achieve weight maintenance instead of continued weight loss.
Dr. Priya Jaisinghani, a clinical assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine specializing in obesity medicine, emphasized that the primary goal of this treatment is to address weight-related complications such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. She also stressed the importance of individuals working with their healthcare providers to determine a safe and sustainable rate of weight loss tailored to their needs.
Dr. Jaisinghani explained that clinically significant weight loss is generally defined as losing 5 to 10% of one’s total body weight, with a gradual and steady pace of losing one to two pounds per week considered appropriate. Rapid or excessive weight loss can lead to health issues, including hair loss, muscle loss, and malnutrition.
Additionally, when discontinuing any weight loss intervention, there is a risk of weight regain, underscoring the importance of incorporating lifestyle changes alongside medication.
Despite the stigma surrounding the medication’s off-label use for weight loss, Osbourne has been open about her experience, emphasizing the importance of being truthful about herself. She stated, “I try to be as truthful about myself as possible. I am what I am.”