Is Ozempic Safe for Kids?

Inside: Wondering if the trendy weight loss medication Ozempic is safe for children? Get the facts about Ozempic for kids from our team of pediatric dietitians and learn how to help your child.

Due to its sudden rise in popularity, many people are talking about the trendy weight loss drug Ozempic. If you’re a parent, you might be wondering if Ozempic is safe for children. You might also be wondering how to handle situations and conversations about weight and size that might arise. If you can relate, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn the facts about Ozempic for kids and find out how to help support your child’s health.

Is Ozempic safe for children?

Based on the research available at this time, the safety and efficacy of Ozempic (semaglutide) for children are not well-established. The medication has not been extensively studied for use in children and no long-term safety data is available. The US Preventive Task Force draft recommendation has recommended against using weight-loss medications in children because there is not enough data to show long-term safety. (1)

While Ozempic is not approved for use in pediatrics, Wegovy was approved by the FDA in 2022 as a weight loss treatment for adolescents ages 12 and older.

The use of semaglutide in children was approved after data from the STEP TEENS research study was published. This study took place between October 2019 and March 2022, and included a total of 201 teenagers between 12 and 18 years of age. (2)

It is important to note that this study was supported by Novo Nordisk, which is the company that makes Ozempic and Wegovy.

Additionally, the study that researched using the medication in children did not measure or report mental health side effects, disordered eating, eating disorder risk or body dissatisfaction. Weight loss attempts with children can worsen their relationship with their body and food. It can increase their risk of eating disorders and health complications.

Eating disorders are among the most dangerous mental health conditions and can have lifelong effects.

A safer approach to child health

Kids Eat in Color recommends an evidence-based weight-neutral approach to child health. Following a varied diet and lifestyle practices can improve a child’s health both mentally and physically. We encourage focusing on the health of a child, not their weight.

Helpful resources:

We will support parents and the complex decisions they make, regardless of any treatment they choose to pursue for their child or their family, even if it is a treatment that we do not support in general.

We recognize each family’s intent to do what is best for their child. We understand families may choose to participate in medications, and that they may be helpful for their particular situation.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is the brand name for a medication called semaglutide, which belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1 is a hormone found in your body, which helps to regulate blood sugars and appetite.

In 2017, the FDA approved this medication in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It is used in combination with diet and exercise to improve blood sugars and to reduce the risk of major heart issues in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Ozempic is administered as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin) once a week. It is approved for use in adults and generally not recommended for children 18 years and under because its safety and efficacy in pediatric populations had not been extensively studied or established. (3)

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide as well, but it was approved by the FDA in 2021 specifically for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or who are overweight with weight-related conditions. The dosage of Wegovy is higher than the doses used for Ozempic in diabetes management. Both medications can lead to weight loss, but due to Wegovy’s higher dosage, it is known to cause more weight loss. Wegovy is also meant to be used in combination with diet and exercise.

Wegovy is one of four medications (the other medications are orlistat, liraglutide, and phentermine/ topiramate) approved by the FDA for weight loss in adolescents with obesity who are 12 years or older. (4) It was approved for use based on data from the Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity (STEP) TEENS clinical trial that was recently published in 2022. (2,5)

Like Ozempic, Wegovy is administered as a subcutaneous injection once a week. It is approved for use in adults and adolescents 12 years and older with an initial BMI at the 95% percentile or greater for age and sex. (6)

What are the general side effects, if any?

Semaglutide comes with potential side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. In the clinical trial using semaglutide in children, over 60% experienced gastrointestinal side effects. (2,5)

Other side effects can include injection site reactions (i.e. redness, itchiness, swelling), risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and risk of pancreatitis.

Semaglutide can be especially unsuitable with people who have a history of pancreatitis or thyroid issues, due to the potential risk of a certain type of thyroid cancer.

What else can I do to help my child?

There are many tools that you can use to help your child have a good relationship with their body and with their health. We recommend having positive conversations about bodies and speaking about food in a way that is positive and morally neutral. Additionally, learn how to have health-focused medical visits with your child.

In this way, you can focus on your child’s mental and physical health, while decreasing the damage caused by black and white thinking and a weight-focused mindset.

References

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