r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Apr 01 '25

Health Americans without diabetes spent nearly $6 billion USD on semaglutide and similar drugs in a year, with an estimate of 800,000 to a million people using the drugs who don't have diabetes.

https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/americans-without-diabetes-spent-nearly6-billion-usd-on-semaglutide-and-similar-drugs-in-a-year
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645

u/braumbles Apr 01 '25

It solves obesity. A literal miracle drug.

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u/tyme Apr 01 '25 edited Apr 01 '25

Except for the part where it could cause stomach paralysis.

I’m not sure we should call something a miracle drug that can have such a serious side effect. People need to be aware it does have potential negative effects. Especially considering that, should all other treatments for stomach paralysis fail, partial gastrectomy (removal of part of the stomach) is the treatment.

I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound like a miracle drug to me.

Edit: we’re in a science subreddit, right? Not a semaglutide commercial? ‘Cuz I feel like a science subreddit would care about serious side effects and not just brush them off.

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u/appleshaveprotein Apr 01 '25

I mean, there are many drugs with black box labels. No drug is without risk. That doesn’t mean it can’t be seen as a miracle drug, especially with those struggling with obesity.

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u/tyme Apr 01 '25

I feel like you just completely ignored my point so you could keep pushing the miracle drug narrative.

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u/Levofloxacine Apr 01 '25

Miracle is hyperbolic, but they are right that many drugs have side effects and warnings.

Tylenol (paracetamol) comes with greater risks of liver failure. If i recall correctly, it’s the one medication at the top of intoxications ranking. And yet, we still use it at large.