In a tearful confession, singer Avery shared a harrowing revelation that left her and her fans in shock. After using the popular weight-loss drug Ozempic for a year, the 30-year-old artist from Phoenix, Arizona, was diagnosed with osteoporosis—a bone-thinning disease that significantly increases the risk of fractures.

Avery’s story has become a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of misusing weight-loss medications, particularly for those who do not meet medical guidelines for their use. Her emotional testimony has sparked urgent conversations about the off-label use of Ozempic, the risks of extreme weight loss, and the impact these drugs can have on long-term health.

For many artists in the music and film industries, body image expectations are unforgiving. In a heart-wrenching admission, Avery revealed that she turned to Ozempic after being dropped by her record label for being ‘too fat’. The pressure to conform to industry beauty standards led her to believe that drastic weight loss was the only way to remain relevant and successful.

“I thought I needed Ozempic to be beautiful and successful,” she confessed.

But what she didn’t anticipate was the toll it would take on her health. After discontinuing the drug two months ago, a routine medical check-up delivered devastating news—she had lost significant bone density, leaving her bones fragile and weak.

Ozempic, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, was originally developed to help patients with Type 2 diabetes regulate blood sugar. However, its ability to induce rapid weight loss has led to its widespread, and sometimes reckless, use by those seeking to shed pounds quickly.

While the medication has been linked to numerous health benefits—including a reduced risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and even Alzheimer’s—some unintended consequences are emerging. One recent JAMA Network Open study found that patients using GLP-1 drugs had reduced bone mineral density in the hips and spine, a risk factor for osteoporosis.

Avery’s case highlights the dark side of extreme weight loss, especially when done without medical supervision. Rapid weight loss can lead to nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and weakened bones—a reality Avery is now facing.

Taking to Instagram, where she has 250,000 followers, Avery urged others not to fall into the same trap.

“I just want to be an example of why you need to be careful. Ozempic can cause bone density loss, and I didn’t think that would happen to me. But I have osteoporosis and osteopenia. That’s what happens when you use Ozempic for weight loss and lose too much weight,” she said.

She also admitted that she never obtained Ozempic through a doctor and that its availability has made it dangerously easy for people with eating disorders to access.

“It is very easy to get nowadays, and many people with eating disorders are getting their hands on it. I made a mistake. I take responsibility for my actions.”

Why Bone Health Suffers With Extreme Weight Loss

Medical experts have long warned that sudden and excessive weight loss can have severe consequences for bone health. This occurs due to several factors:

• Loss of Essential Nutrients – Bones require calcium, vitamin D, and protein to maintain strength. Extreme dieting or rapid weight loss can lead to deficiencies.
• Hormonal Changes – Drastic weight loss disrupts hormone levels, including estrogen, which plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density.
• Increased Bone Turnover – When the body is deprived of nutrients, it starts breaking down bone tissue at a faster rate than it can rebuild.

For young women, in particular, this can accelerate osteoporosis—a condition typically associated with older adults.

Who Should—and Shouldn’t—Be Taking Ozempic?

Under NHS guidelines and FDA recommendations, Ozempic should only be prescribed to individuals who:

- Have Type 2 diabetes and require blood sugar control.

- Have a BMI over 30 (classified as obese).

- Have a BMI between 27-29.9 and a weight-related medical condition, such as high blood pressure.

Despite these restrictions, many people without these conditions are obtaining and using Ozempic purely for cosmetic weight loss, often without understanding the risks.

Is Bone Loss From Ozempic Reversible?

Following her diagnosis, Avery has been placed on medication and a strict treatment plan to help rebuild her bone density. However, osteoporosis is not always reversible, and damage done at a young age can have long-term consequences.

Her case underscores the importance of regular medical monitoring when taking weight-loss medications and highlights why these drugs should never be used without professional guidance.

Avery’s story is a powerful reminder that quick fixes can come with lasting damage. While weight loss can have benefits for those who truly need it, taking drastic measures without considering long-term health consequences can be dangerous.

To those considering Ozempic for weight loss, Avery has one simple message:

“Please, be careful. Learn from my mistake.”

Her experience serves as a crucial warning about the real dangers of using powerful medications for the wrong reasons—a risk many might not realize until it’s too late.

The COVID Cicada variant, currently circulating in 23 countries, is likely to affect children more than the previous variants.

Children have largely escaped severe illness from the SARS-COV-2 virus.

However, the new Cicada variant with around 75 genetic changes in its spike protein is likely to disproportionately affect children, as per an expert, who noted its presence in the UK.

“Some people have done analysis on this, suggesting it may be more prevalent among young children. Children get infections all the time, but this might be something to do with the fact that they have never been exposed to Covid vaccines," Prof Ravindra Gupta, of Cambridge University, who advised the UK government during the pandemic, was quoted as saying to The Mirror.

“So this is something we’re looking at in the lab to try and work out why. The problem with this is that it is an infection that spreads fast. Eventually, it ends up in someone vulnerable," he added.

Key Symptoms

Symptoms seem to be similar to those of other recent variants and include

• sore throat,
• cough,
• congestion,
• fatigue,
• headache
• fever.

Also read: Cicada Variant: Will The Current COVID Vaccine Provide Protection?

What Do The 75 Genetic Changes Mean?

Cicada, a descendant of the Omicron variant that emerged in 2021, was first detected in South Africa in 2024. However, it disappeared soon after, only to emerge early this year.

Prof Gupta told the publication that “the Cicada variant developed the 75 mutations to escape immunity, and it evolved by incubating a single patient for over a year”.

"This 'patient zero' would have been unable to clear the virus due to a compromised immune system," due to HIV or anti-cancer drugs.

Further, he explained that due to 75 mutations to the spike protein, the body’s antibodies will take a longer time to fight the Cicada variant.

However, there is no evidence yet that it is likely to cause more severe disease.

Will The Cicada Variant Cause Severe Illness?

The Cicada variant is particularly concerning as it provides no immune protection to people with previous infection or even vaccination.

Yet, the World Health Organization and health experts advise that existing COVID vaccinations can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization.

"It would appear that all the protections we have from our experience with the virus and with vaccines probably offer more limited—not zero—but more limited protection against this strain," Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, was quoted as saying by Time.

Also read: COVID Variant BA.3.2 Spreads To 23 Countries: Is The Variant Under Monitoring A Cause Of Worry?

How To Safeguard

Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, a doctor and healthcare strategy executive, writing in Forbes, stressed the need to follow COVID practices such as masks and hand hygiene.

"Healthcare professionals recommend taking general precautions, similar to those used to prevent most viral transmission: get vaccinations when appropriate, wear masks in crowded areas or indoors where there is a high risk of transmission," he said.

He also urged “avoid individuals who have known illness or infections, wash hands frequently, and continue to stay apprised of local community guidelines and the infection spread”.

GLP-1 drugs are powerful tools that can improve health, but it comes with risks and caveats. While these are medical therapies, they are being misused as cosmetic products by cosmetologists, physiotherapists, dermatologists, among others.

To curb its misuse and improve public health, the Indian government today issued guidelines on its use, while also flagging risks around it.

In an official statement issued today, the government has stated that it will roll out stricter inspections to curb the misuse of GLP-1 drugs in the country and will punish those who violate the rules.

“GLP-1 drugs are a significant medical breakthrough in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, but they are not without risk. The drugs carry a wide range of side effects - from common symptoms like nausea and vomiting to severe complications including pancreatitis, kidney injury, and bowel obstruction. These risks make it essential that GLP-1 drugs are only taken under the supervision of registered medical practitioners/specialists,” the statement said.

In the wake of its hype over weight loss, the country's regulatory authorities have taken firm steps to prevent unsupervised use and malpractices in the supply chain.

It has “strongly advised” patients and the public to” consult a qualified medical specialist before use, and to obtain these medications with prescription only through legitimate, regulated channels”.

“Stricter inspections and surveillance will continue in the coming weeks. Businesses that break the rules will face license cancellation, fines, and legal action,” the statement said.

Also read: GLP-1 Drugs: Why India Needs Stricter Rules Now

What Are The Side-effects Of GLP-1 Drugs?

GLP-1 drugs work to keep food in the digestive system for longer – making people feel fuller for longer, thus reducing appetite and inducing weight loss. Hence, the drugs are also prescribed to people with obesity.

However, when done without clinical oversight, it can lead to severe health complications.

There are various side effects to taking GLP-1 drugs, including nausea and dizziness, to pancreatitis and medullary thyroid cancer.

Some serious side effects include

• Pancreatis
• Thyroid Cancer
• Acute (Sudden) Kidney Injury
• Worsening Diabetes-Related Retinopathy
• Gallstone & Bile Duct Blockage
• Rapid loss of fat in the face
• Wrinkles
• Sunken eyes

GLP-1 medications may also complicate various health conditions, such as allergic reactions, with shortness of breath and low blood sugar.

Rush For Generic Weight Loss Drugs

The government's advisory comes as patent for semaglutide -- an active ingredient in diabetes and anti-obesity drugs, specifically Wegovy and Ozempic -- expired on March 20.

This has led to a rush among Indian pharma companies to launch cheaper generic versions, significantly increasing affordability and access for millions battling Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Also read: CDSCO threatens action against pharma companies for promoting GLP-1 weight-loss drugs

Major Indian drugmakers who launched their generic semglutide injection in the country in March include Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Zydus Lifesciences, Alkem Laboratories, and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories.

WHO Guidelines on GLP-1 drugs

Amid the increasing prevalence of GLP-1 drugs, the World Health Organisation (WHO), late last year, acknowledged its role in treating obesity.

However, it warned that medications like GLP-1 alone will not solve the problem affecting more than one billion people worldwide.

The global health body also issued conditional recommendations for using these therapies as part of a comprehensive approach that includes healthy diets, regular physical activity, and support from health professionals.

Danish pharma giant Novo Nordisk has once again reduced the prices of its blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy in India. The strategic move is aimed at staying ahead of the entry of the low-cost generic competition in the country.

Starting today, the Ozempic price in India will be cut by 36 percent, while Wegovy has seen a steeper 48 percent reduction — limiting the base price below Rs 6,000 per month.

While Ozempic is available in three dose strengths of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg in India, Wegovy has five dose strengths.

Ozempic's and Wegovy's lowest doses of 0.25 ⁠mg will now be priced at Rs 1,415 for a weekly shot from Rs 2,200 and Rs 2,712 earlier, respectively, Novo Nordisk India said in a statement on Tuesday.

The average price reduction across doses is 23.8 percent for Ozempic and 27 percent for Wegovy, it added.

Speaking to the media, Novo Nordisk stated that the price cut will benefit a large section of people with diabetes and obesity in India.

The generic weight loss drugs will open up a huge customer base, especially in India, with a high burden of diabetes and obesity.

Novo first slashed Wegovy's price for the first time by up to 37 percent from its launch price last year.

In addition to the entry of generics, the launch of rival Eli Lilly's blockbuster diabetes and obesity drug Mounjaro in India in 2025.

Also read: Semaglutide Becomes Cheap In India: A Gamechanger Or Health Gamble?

Entry Of Generics In India

Soon after the end of Novo Nordisk's patent on semaglutide, on March 20, a host of companies in India launched generic versions of Ozempic.

This includes NATCO Pharma's Semanat and Semafull, priced at Rs 1,290 per month and Rs 1,750 — about 90 per cent cheaper than Ozempic, costing Rs 8,800 per month.

Eris Lifesciences also announced its plans to launch a multi-dose vial under the brand name Sundae at the same price.

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals have also launched their generic versions of semaglutide.

Dr. Reddy’s Obeda is priced at Rs 4,200 per month, available in 2 mg and 4 mg strengths.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries will sell under the brand names Noveltreat (doses ranging from Rs 900) and Sematrinity (doses ranging from Rs 750). Meanwhile, Glenmark’s GLIPIQ vials range from Rs 325 to Rs 440 per week.

Zydus Lifesciences has also announced the launch of its generic version of semaglutide injection under the brand names SEMAGLYNTM, MASHEMATM, and ALTERMET. The average monthly cost of the treatment will be about Rs 2,200, the company said in a statement.

How Does Semaglutide Work?

Semaglutide works as a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the GLP-1 hormone to regulate appetite and blood sugar. It slows gastric emptying and makes you feel fuller longer. It also signals the brain to reduce hunger and cravings, and triggers the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar is high.

Also read: This Pill Is More Effective For Weight Loss Than Ozempic, Scientists Say

They work by increasing insulin release in a glucose-dependent manner, decreasing the liver's production of glucagon, and slowing down the emptying of the stomach, which helps lower blood sugar levels after a meal. They also act on the brain to suppress appetite and increase feelings of fullness, leading to reduced calorie intake.

In people with type 2 diabetes, notes Harvard Health, the body's cells are resistant to the effects of insulin and the body does not produce enough insulin, or both. This is when GLP-1 agonists stimulate the pancreas to release insulin and suppress the release of another hormone called glucagon.

These drugs also act in the brain to reduce hunger and act on the stomach to delay emptying, so you feel full for a longer time. These effects can lead to weight loss, which can be an important part of managing diabetes.