Singer Kelly Osbourne has denied taking a diabetes drug to help her lose weight. The 39-year-old gave birth to her son Sidney in November 2022 and rapidly lost more than 85 lbs. Speaking to Extra recently, she firmly denied she had used Ozempic, a Type 2 diabetes medication which is sometimes prescribed off-label to tackle excess weight. She did acknowledge, however, that her mom, Sharon Osbourne, used the drug for months.
TV star Kelly insists she lost her post-baby weight the old-fashioned way, cutting sugar and carbohydrates from her diet. However, she did praise Ozempic and described it as a far less “boring” way to lose weight than working out. “The people who hate on it the most are the people who are secretly doing it,” she added.
Her mom, Sharon, confessed to a mixed experience with the medication. The 71-year-old appeared on the British talk show Loose Women and explained she had used Ozempic to lose 42 lbs, but admitted this was more than intended, and now she seemed unable to put any weight back on.
“I don’t regret it,” she declared, adding that she tends to want things instantly, and Ozempic was the only thing that helped her trim down quickly.
Ozempic manages blood sugar levels and is part of a drug class known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. It is intended to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes. Some doctors prescribe it for weight loss, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve it for that purpose.
It is known to be expensive, however, and can cost up to $1000 per month for weekly injections. Side effects range from diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain to more severe outcomes, including pancreas inflammation, eye damage, and gallbladder disease.
The FDA states that it has caused thyroid cancer in animals and is potentially life-threatening in patients with a family history of thyroid problems or some endocrine conditions.
