Isidora (25) recently graduated from university and lives there Temuco with his parents and his brother Marcelo (29). Without meaning to, he finally became an impromptu expert on Ozempicafter a complex family situation that forced her to learn about the medication.
Two years ago, when Marcelo was living in Australia, he underwent routine medical examinations to apply for a job. The results were unexpected for someone his age: very high blood pressure And Parameters compatible with advanced kidney diseasepractically in the final stage, but without any noticeable symptoms.
The return to Chile and a difficult diagnosis
The discovery was enough for the family to bring him back to Chile. Marcelo was hospitalized in Talcahuano, where an ultrasound scan confirmed that his kidneys had become so small that they were almost indistinguishable. Isidora summarizes the situation: “The damage was chronic and progressive.”.
He was discharged after his blood pressure stabilized. To accommodate a future transplant, he needed to lose weight since he was born weighing about 250 pounds. For this reason, the medical team was integrated Ozempic – the semaglutide used to treat type 2 diabetes – to support your preoperative preparation. The use of Ozempic in his case was completely controlled and focused on weight loss before transplantation. But in Chile the current reality is different: medicine also became popular among people for aesthetic reasons without diabetes And without being overweight.
Although the WHO A few days ago, when it was recognized that this type of medication was “essential” to treat obesity, there was one in 2022 global stock crisis and in ChileIn 2023, diabetics were affected by the shortage. He ISP He even publicly urged people not to consume without being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The doctor Sebastian Fuentes (UNAB) recalls that the shortage led the ISP to authorize extraordinary imports for people who really needed them.
Banned advertising and irregular recipes
In November 2025 the SERNAC and the ISP warned about it illegal advertising and offer from remote medical prescriptions without specialty. In addition, the informal market was booming with sales WhatsApp or Telegram.
Sources indicate that Chile has long been looking for “quick solutions” to lose weight: amphetamines in the 80s and 90s, sibutramine in the 2000s and more recently phentermine. The toxicologist Jessica Zuniga (U. de Talca) points out that semaglutide was installed as “the expected solution”which encourages self-medication and poses risks for both patient safety and equal access to medication.
There are three semaglutide registries in Chile: Ozempic, Rybelsus And wegovy. Without medical supervision, weight loss usually occurs abruptly: between 2 and 4 kilos per monthor even one 14% of body weightexplains Zúñiga.
This creates effects like the well-known ones “Ocempic Face”due to the loss of subcutaneous fat on the face, in addition to flaccidity of the body.
What happens if Ozempic is used uncontrollably?
Valentin (35) from Santiago left Ozempic six months ago taken without a prescription. She says her connection to physical appearance stems from childhood trauma that involved comments about her body. In the middle of a crisis with her partner, things got worse, and she got the medication through an acquaintance who worked in a pharmacy chain.
He showed him prices, options and dosages as if there were any Counterproduct. A 2 milligram injectable dose (mg) is worth around $167,000; 4 mg, $230,000. Valentin chose the highest dose. He bought enough to last him six months and paid more than $700,000 without a doctor approving its use or checking whether it was appropriate for his health.
The treatment did not work as expected: he had loss of appetite, changed his relationship with food and eventually experienced Weight gain. When he stopped taking it, he felt fluid buildup and rapid changes in his body.
Zúñiga explains that semaglutide works by sending signals to the body pancreas adjust insulin and Brain to create saturation. For this reason, “One grape can be enough”. This means that natural hunger signals are interfered with and professional monitoring is therefore mandatory. The patient must learn to eat to avoid hypoglycemia and so that weight loss is not due to malnutrition.
The pharmacist Nordisk notes that its use corresponds to people with BMI over 30either of 27 with comorbidities. Someone who weighs 70 kilos and only wants to reach 60 kilos is not a candidate.
experiences within the same family
With the changes applied to Marcelo, the kidney damage stopped, although it was not reversed. The transplant is still necessary, but does not require prior dialysis. His mother also began searching for a possible donor and received Ozempic. After a trial period, he lost weight when the dose was increased to 1 mg.
In both cases the main effects were Nausea when eating more than necessary and significant loss of appetite. Their endocrinologist told them not to force themselves to eat. Both adjusted their portions and had no more severe symptoms.
For those who consume Ozempic uncontrollably, Dr. Sebastián Fuentes from UNAB to do so Stop self-medicating immediately Go to a professional and give them honest information about dosage, frequency, and who provided it.
Meanwhile, toxicologist Jéssica Zúñiga warns against unsupervised use can cause damage that is not always visible in the present. Among the serious effects reported United States NIH is that Pancreatitisassociated with chronic stimulation of the pancreas. The formation of Gallstoneswith the risk of progression to liver damage.
Fuentes emphasizes that in emergencies you should go to a medical center beforehand severe stomach painpersistent nausea and vomiting. It is also important to note that many side effects are still being investigated.
Experts agree that Chile needs to strengthen public communication No medication offers “magic” weight loss.. Stigmatization can lead to disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. Fuentes emphasizes that a classic phrase from chemistry and pharmacy is: “The dose makes the poison.”
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