A 56-year-old woman in Australia has died after using the prescription drug Ozempic to lose weight ahead of her daughter’s wedding. Her husband says she was taking the medication to fit into a dress and did not have diabetes.
Ozempic is approved to treat Type 2 diabetes but is also widely used for weight loss. The drug works by slowing digestion, which helps people feel full longer. In rare cases, this process can lead to serious bowel problems.
According to her husband, the woman became increasingly unwell while taking Ozempic alongside another weight-loss drug. She experienced ongoing nausea and diarrhea but continued using the medication because she was losing weight and believed the side effects would pass.
She was later found unresponsive at home and died the same day. Her husband believes the medication caused a severe gastrointestinal complication and says he never imagined weight-loss drugs could be fatal.
He has since warned others to be cautious when using such medications for cosmetic reasons. The drug’s manufacturer has acknowledged that serious bowel issues have been reported after the drug reached the market. Health authorities have also received reports linking the medication to rare but dangerous intestinal conditions.
The case has raised concerns about the growing off-label use of diabetes drugs for weight loss and highlights the importance of close medical supervision and clear risk awareness.