‘It’s bonkers’ — how Ozempic, Wegovy change lives of those who struggle to lose weight
Courtney McCollum has lost 30 pounds after starting the medication Wegovy seven months ago. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
On any day, at least 25% of patients at UT Internal Medicine clinic qualify for weight-reduction injections. The medications are so common now, two-thirds of the clinic’s calls for insurance pre-authorizations are for the big three: Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound.
“We’ve started having the patient call and ask their insurance company if they cover it because sending it and then having to request an appeal and all this stuff is overwhelming our practice,” said Dr. Shelley Ost, internist and associate professor at University of Tennessee College of Medicine.
The class of drugs, GLP-1, acts like the naturally occurring hormone in the body that regulates blood sugar. The drugs also slow down how quickly the stomach empties, regulating the speed in which food is digested and absorbed.
They are so effective, in one trial, patients who took the highest dose of Wegovy, which is only prescribed for weight loss, lost 10-17% of their weight in less than 18 months.
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Ozempic Wegovy Dr. George Woodman Dr. Shelley Ost Courtney McCollum Piper Mangrum Subscriber Only Health & WellnessAre you enjoying your subscription?
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Jane Roberts
Jane Roberts has reported in Memphis for more than 20 years. As a senior member of The Daily Memphian staff, she was assigned to the medical beat during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also has done in-depth work on other medical issues facing our community, including shortages of specialists in local hospitals. She covered K-12 education here for years and later the region’s transportation sector, including Memphis International Airport and FedEx Corp.
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