Ozempic: The weight-loss wonder drug?

Do you know what celebrities such as Boy George, Oprah Winfrey, and Kelly Osbourne have in common? In this episode of The Health Wrap podcast, multimedia medical consultant and sports physician Dr Darren Green takes a close look at semaglutide – the wonder drug they all claim to have used for weight loss.

Semaglutide is a miracle medication for people suffering from diabetes, but doctors and patients have noticed the remarkable benefits it offers for weight loss too. This has opened conversations about the use of medications in weight loss in the media, around the dining table, and beyond – but what is the truth about drugs like Ozempic? Dr Elmo Pretorius, an endocrinologist at Mediclinic Vergelegen, joins Dr Green in-studio to provide insight.

Note that this episode was recorded in July 2024. As of 2025, semaglutide medication, such as Ozempic, is still only registered in SA as a diabetes drug, although it is used off-label for weight loss. Rules around the ethical and legal use of semaglutide medication for weight loss may have changed by the time you’re listening to this podcast.

Some notable moments:

[00:03:20] The rise of obesity in South Africa and its implications

[00:05:47] How semaglutide affects your body

[00:09:09] Legal and ethical concerns about using a diabetes-approved drug for weight loss

[00:12:37] How to lose weight sustainably and recommended lifestyle changes

[00:15:18] Side-effects of semaglutide usage

[00:16:43] Drugs that might interact with semaglutide

Links you should know about:

Subscribe to The Health Wrap podcast: https://mediclinic.link/fbbff6

Sign up to the Mediclinic Prime newsletter: https://www.mediclinic.co.za/en/corporate/mediclinicprime/Online_Newsletters.html

Visit the Mediclinic Find a Doctor page here to locate a registered dietitian in your area:

https://www.mediclinic.co.za/en/corporate/find-a-doctor.html?q=dietitian

Would you like assistance in booking an appointment?

https://www.mediclinic.co.za/en/corporate/find-a-doctor/doctor-appointments.html