Written By Sarah Aon & Nour Meshref

A cafe in Zamalek hums with conversation as young women sip on Iced Matchas, their manicured fingers scrolling through Instagram.  

Between bites of avocado toast, one of them leans in, whispering excitedly about a secret to effortless weight loss. “Everyone’s on it,” she says, pulling up a before-and-after picture. “I lost five kilos in a month, and I didn’t even need to diet.” The secret? Ozempic. 

In Egypt, a new weight-loss trend is sweeping through social circles, from young university students to working professionals. Ozempic, a medication originally developed to manage diabetes, has become the go-to solution for rapid weight loss, even among those who are neither obese nor medically in need of it.  

The phenomenon began gaining momentum in Egypt around early 2023, mirroring a global spike in interest following viral TikTok videos and celebrity endorsements abroad. Locally, as Egyptian influencers and lifestyle bloggers began posting dramatic “before and after” photos, demand for Ozempic surged.  

With social media influencers, celebrities, and even some doctors endorsing it as a quick fix, many are bypassing traditional weight-loss methods like dieting and exercise in favour of this injectable shortcut. But as its popularity grows, so do concerns about its impact on health and beauty standards. 

In 2023, Egypt saw a 62% increase in online searches for Ozempic-related weight loss, according to Google Trends data. Pharmacists in upscale Cairo neighborhoods like Zamalek and New Cairo reported frequent sellouts, with some users purchasing the drug monthly without prescriptions.  

Prominent Egyptian public figures, such as beauty influencer Reem ElBaroudy and lifestyle blogger Nourhanne Eissa, have alluded to utilising ozempic for weight loss, fueling public interest.  

“I first learned about Ozempic through a Facebook page, where everyone was bragging about their rapid weight loss journeys in such a short time,” said Lina Youssef, a 50-year-old first-time Ozempic user, who currently weighs 70 kilograms and is aiming to lose around 20 kilograms.  

Ozempic contains semaglutide, a drug designed to regulate blood sugar and curb appetite in diabetes patients, which results in significant weight loss.  

While its use among diabetics is well-documented, it has now found a new audience, those looking to fit into the evolving beauty ideals, which are increasingly favouring ultra-thin body types. 

“Although I didn’t necessarily need to lose weight, I started Ozempic to get my dream body because everyone was promoting it as the quickest fix,” explained Youssef. 

A 2023 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that semaglutide led to an average weight loss of 15 percent in non-diabetic participants, fuelling its popularity as an off-label weight loss drug.  

However, the study also noted that individuals who stopped taking the drug regained a significant portion of the lost weight within a year, raising concerns about dependency and sustainability. 

One of these participants is Malak Hagrass, a 20-year-old university student who has been using the drug for three months. “I started Ozempic because everyone around me was doing it, my sister, cousins, and friends. I wasn’t overweight, but I wanted to lose that last few kilos quickly,” said Hagrass. 

“At first, I thought it was a harmless shortcut, but now I feel like I can’t stop, I’m scared to gain the weight back again,” Hagrass added. 

Hagrass’ experience is not unique. Young women are feeling the pressure to achieve dramatic weight loss, mirroring the size zero eras of the past.  

This shift is evident across social media, where weight-loss journeys fueled by Ozempic are going viral, creating a cycle of influence that makes the drug seem like an effortless solution to achieving the ‘ideal’ body. 

A 2023 report by The Guardian noted a 300 percent increase in TikTok videos mentioning Ozempic in weight-loss contexts, many of which garnered millions of views. The hashtag #OzempicWeightLoss has surpassed 1 billion views on TikTok, with countless influencers documenting their weekly progress, appetite loss, and shrinking waistlines.  

This surge has created a powerful visual narrative that reinforces the idea that thinness is not only desirable but now medically accessible — with little mention of side effects or long-term risks. 

“Ozempic is not a trend, it is purely a drug for overweight individuals. If someone who is not obese takes it, they risk severe side effects and disrupting their metabolism long-term,” said Dr. Hammad. 

She emphasized that the risks extend far beyond temporary side effects, highlighting the serious medical complications that can arise from inappropriate use. 

“The misuse of semaglutide can lead to gastrointestinal disorders, gallbladder disease, and severe dehydration,” Dr. Hammad added. 

Additionally, the Egyptian Ministry of Health has reported an increase in complaints from individuals experiencing rapid weight loss followed by extreme fatigue and nutrient deficiencies due to prolonged Ozempic use. 

Hagrass supported these findings by reporting side effects such as nausea, constant dizziness and fatigue that didn’t go away until several weeks after. 

Fitness experts are also expressing concern. Omar Labib, a personal trainer and nutritionist, has noticed a shift in his clients’ attitudes. 

“People are choosing Ozempic over proper nutrition and exercise. Instead of learning to maintain a healthy lifestyle, they rely on medication. What happens when they stop? They gain the weight back because they never changed their habits,” Labib expressed. 

As Ozempic continues to dominate weight-loss conversations, the question remains: Is this just another fleeting beauty trend, or is society witnessing a dangerous shift in how individuals approach their health?  

“Ultimately, the pursuit of beauty should not come at the expense of well-being, especially that we haven’t yet seen the longterm side effects,” Labib concluded.