Almost every year, we hear about some new diet fad that a celebrity or social-media influencer swears by to trim their tummies. But this year, it wasn’t just a trendy juice cleanse or high-priced protein shake that got the attention of the masses. Instead, it was a Type 2 diabetes medication called Ozempic. Check this out: More info

The injectable, also known as semaglutide, is typically prescribed to manage Type 2 diabetes but has been used off-label for weight loss. Since gaining popularity, it’s become the new “secret” of celebrity slimming, with rumors swirling that Kim Kardashian used the drug to fit into her Marilyn Monroe dress at the Met Gala. And though the Kardashians star has never spoken about using the medication, speculation is rife with other stars, from Kyle Richards to Elon Musk.

In January 2023, Khloe clapped back after being accused of taking the injection to lose weight for a Sorbet magazine photoshoot. The reality star argued that she’d worked hard to tone up her body and that she shouldn’t be discredited for it.

But it’s not just the naysayers who are angry at Ozempic. A diabetic named Chloe from the north of England recently told VICE she was “scapegoated” for her use of the medication because it’s now harder to find in her area, forcing her to switch to Trulicity, a similar drug. In the past, she’d take the time on Friday afternoons to drive around to six different pharmacies to find the correct dosage. The shortage has caused her to have to self-administer blood tests at home for the first time in a year, which she said isn’t ideal.