MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: On Thanksgiving Eve, 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' centered around the holiday, featuring discussions around the much-awaited yearly feast.
However, Colbert pointed out that this year, individuals may experience a shift in their Thanksgiving food dynamics due to new weight loss drugs like Ozempic, which can suppress appetite.
He further observed how some users of the medication contemplated whether to disclose their use of Ozempic to family members to avoid potential hurt feelings arising from their reduced appetites during the holiday.
Stephen Colbert encourages people to confide to their families about Ozempic use
During his monologue, Stephen Colbert said, "This year people's relationship to food at Thanksgiving may be a little bit different, thanks to new weight loss drugs like Ozempic, which cause you to lose your appetite."
He added, "Some Ozempic users are wondering whether they should tell family members that they're on the medication to avoid hurting feelings with their smaller appetites"
The host was quick to give a solution, saying, "Absolutely tell them because, in America, it is rude to leave the Thanksgiving table alive. Plus, plus, under your own power, at least. Plus, if you tell your family that you're on Ozempic they'll know you were lying when you said you lost the weight the old-fashioned way- cocaine."
Cobert also mentioned that it's essential to weigh the decision carefully before skipping one's weekly Ozempic dose, saying, "Doctors warn that when people restart their doses they can experience more intense side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, that undermine the pleasure of any food."
He noted how some of the side effects are more intense than others and read out a headline that said, "Ozempic burned off my genitals."
Subsequently, Colbert humorously mimicked the warnings laid out in a pharmaceutical commercial, saying, "Side effects may include nausea, upset stomach, burning off your genitals, abdominal pain, no seriously, you'll be smooth like there like a Ken doll."
Why is Ozempic so popular?
As per The New York Times, Ozempic, initially approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2017 for diabetes treatment, has gained widespread attention as celebrities, tech moguls, and TikTok influencers share their experiences using it for rapid weight loss.
The FDA further approved a higher-dose version of the active ingredient in Ozempic, known as semaglutide, to address obesity in 2021 under the name Wegovy.
Beyond Ozempic and Wegovy, other medications are also garnering attention for their weight loss properties. In November this year, the FDA approved Zepbound, a novel weight management drug containing the same compound found in the diabetes medication Mounjaro.
The pharmaceutical landscape is anticipating the development of additional similar drugs, including pill versions of these medications, offering new options for individuals seeking weight management solutions.