O uso do Ozempic® off-label para fins estéticos: uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, many people resort to the use of medications to achieve the perfect body, considered ideal by society, trying to lose weight quickly and satisfactorily. Although these medications can offer short-term results, their indiscriminate use can cause harm to health, depending on the clinical conditions of each individual, in addition to causing several side effects. These medications act in three main ways: inhibiting appetite, increasing the feeling of satiety or preventing the absorption of consumed fat. Therefore, their use should be done carefully and under specialized guidance (Andrade, et al., 2019; Lima, 2020). Considering that Ozempic® has an effect on weight loss, its misuse without clinical monitoring can lead to consequences. Although it is proposed to control type 2 diabetes, its use in non-diabetic people can lead to episodes of hypoglycemia, especially when combined with restricted diets, and gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. OBJECTIVES: To identify studies/research in national and international literature that address the use of Ozempic®, produced from 2020 to 2025. To identify the profile of publications verifying the benefits and harms of Ozempic® (semaglutide) selected by year in the database. To discuss the publications to understand the point of view in the literature on the debate of the harms and benefits of Ozempic® (semaglutide) in order to encourage discussion on the use of this medication. METHODOLOGY: Based on the objectives outlined, a literature review and a descriptive, exploratory research with a mixed approach (qualitative and quantitative) were carried out. RESULTS: The search carried out in the databases resulted in the initial identification of 152 articles related to the study theme. However, after applying the previously established inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 articles were selected that presented citations directly related to the object of study, including the terms "Ozempic", "weight loss", "aesthetics", "obesity", "weight loss", "semaglutide", "off-label use" and "weight reduction". The journals found show a distribution of publications concentrated mainly in the most recent years. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: In this study, it was possible to analyze the off-label use of Ozempic ® (semaglutide) for aesthetic purposes, highlighting mainly its impacts on public health. In this sense, the study reinforces the relevance of promoting health education and guidance by qualified professionals on the risks and benefits involved, in order to reduce possible complications and encourage a more responsible and safe use of the drug.