Ice Spice took to X (formerly Twitter) on Aug. 19 to shut down claims of her using the hot Hollywood weight loss drug, Ozempic, to achieve her slimmer appearance.
While hosting an X Spaces chat with fans on Monday, the “Munch” hitmaker said she was frustrated with assumptions that she had used Ozempic, an FDA-approved medication used to treat people with Type 2 diabetes, to achieve her noticeably slim physique.
“I actually came on here to talk about that because I wish y’all never learned the word Ozempic. That’s one thing I wish,” the 24-year-old told a fan on X after they praised her body transformation. “Oh my God, like, what even is Ozempic? What the f— is that? Genuinely, what is that?”
What is Ozempic?
The drug, which is medically referred to as semaglutide, has become a powerful weight loss tool among the stars in Hollywood as it helps the body curb hunger cravings by controlling satiety. Stars like Chelsea Handler and even billionaire Elon Musk have confessed to using the drug for weight loss.
Despite speculation, Ice Spice confirmed that she had not followed the trend among Hollywood elites of using Ozempic and other well-known semaglutide brands such as Wegovy and Rybelsus. The Y2K rapper emphasized that her slim, toned look was the result of regular gym workouts and a healthy diet.
“Like, you lazy ass bitches never heard of a gym?” the Bronx native shared, before adding, “It’s called the gym. It’s called eating healthy. It’s called being on tour. Like, what the hell? Maybe if I was sitting home all day, it would be easier to stay big.”
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty: Ice Spice Y2K! World Tour In New York
Extreme weight gain can occur in users who stop taking the medication.
Ozempic can be used in addition to healthy lifestyle and diet changes to achieve weight loss, but the drug does have bad side effects if misused. As previously reported, a 2023 study published by the Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics found that “rebound weight gain” occurred in users who stopped taking the medication. According to the data, most people who take Ozempic or Wegovy tend to see dramatic weight gain within a year of stopping their injections.
“We’re seeing a lot of patients have this rebound weight gain, and it can really be devastating,” Dr. Karla Robinson, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based family physician, told NPR at the time.
Yolanda Hamilton, a dedicated Wegovy user, experienced a significant setback after stopping her injections due to a job change last year, the NPR article noted. She had been using the medication to manage her high blood pressure, high blood sugar and weight. Hamilton credited Wegovy with helping her control sugar cravings and providing an energy boost, which contributed to her impressive 60-pound weight loss.
Unfortunately, her job switch brought new insurance that didn’t cover the steep cost of the medication. Facing a $1,400 monthly expense, Hamilton found it unsustainable and had to discontinue Wegovy. Within a few months of stopping her weekly injections, she regained 20 pounds.
The cost of Ozempic can be expensive, too. With insurance coverage, Ozempic can cost as little as $25 for a monthly supply. However, without insurance, the average monthly cost is approximately $935.77 or more, according to Ro.
Have you tried Ozempic? What is it like?
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