‘It’s bonkers’ — how Ozempic, Wegovy changes 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 OnlyThank you for supporting local journalism.
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Jane Roberts
Longtime journalist Jane Roberts is a Minnesotan by birth and a Memphian by choice. She's lived and reported in the city more than two decades. She covers business news and features for The Daily Memphian.
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