Fans named Elon Musk's weight loss and weight loss drug Wegovi after his "ripped" body.
Its active ingredient is semaglutide, which is FDA approved for the treatment of diabetes and weight control (as of 2021).
The drug is expensive, in great demand and can cause side effects from the gastrointestinal tract.
Elon Musk's promise of a temporary smokestack isn't the only time the Tesla founder has turned his attention to fitness. The business mogul previously credited fasting and popular weight-loss drug Wegovi as his secret to looking "fit, toned and healthy."
Musk, 52, responded to a fan who called the drug "amazing" last year by asking X who promoted the drug on the app (formerly known as Twitter) and whether he exercises and eats healthy.
The richest man in the world has repeatedly stated that he does not play sports. In fact, Musk says he doesn't want to go to the gym and prefers to treat himself like a donut.
Regarding his figure, he first pointed to Vegovi, Novo Nordisk's brand of semaglutide, and said he practices intermittent fasting without eating for a certain period of time.
In total, Musk claims to have lost about 20 pounds.
The once-weekly injections were originally used to treat diabetes but received FDA approval in 2021 for “chronic weight management.”
It suppresses appetite by balancing hunger hormones in the body and slowing down digestion. As insider Gabby Landsverk previously reported, it has been shown to lead to 15 to 20 percent weight loss over 68 weeks.
The drug is approved only for weight loss in people over 30 or with a body mass index of 25 and other medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol. However, people are using it inappropriately, which has created a shortage due to increased demand for the drug on social media.
Musk isn't the only celebrity boosting the drug's popularity: Semaglutide became a joke at the 2023 Oscars, and other big names, including Amy Schumer and Chelsea Handler, have done well.
The high cost of the drug, which can reach $1,349 a month, makes it unaffordable even for patients without fame and fortune.
The popularity of semaglutide for weight loss - even among people who don't meet the criteria for a typical prescription - has created a market of cheap online copycats called "compounded semaglutide" that some doctors say are risky and dangerous. Less effective. .
According to the FDA, semaglutide for weight loss should be used against the background of a low-calorie diet (which makes the drug easier to use) and increased physical activity. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea (sometimes so severe that patients report not being able to go to the toilet on time).
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