Ozempic in Teens Is a Mess

Somehow, America’s desire for Ozempic is only growing. The drug’s active ingredient, semaglutide, is sold as an obesity medication under the brand name Wegovy—and it has become so popular that its manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, recently limited shipments to the U.S. and paused advertising to prevent shortages. Its promise has enticed would-be patients and set off a pharmaceutical arms race to create more potent drugs.

Part of the interest stems from Ozempic’s potential in teens: In December, the FDA approved Wegovy as a treatment for , which affects of 12-to-19-year-olds in the United States. The drug’s ability to spur weight loss in adolescents has been described as “.” In January, in its new childhood-obesity-treatment guidelines, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that doctors consider adding weight-loss drugs such as semaglutide as a treatment for