What is the viral ‘Budget Ozempic’ trend — and why are experts warning of harmful side effects?

Ozempic, Wegovy and other drugs designed to treat diabetes have become one of the hottest and most controversial weight-loss crazes.

But those drugs are so high in demand that there’s a nationwide shortage of them. They are also pricey, with one month’s supply costing anywhere between $900 and $1,300.

That has people on social media turning to what’s being dubbed “Budget Ozempic” — which is actually not Ozempic at all but rather refers to laxatives or stool softeners.

In September 2023, there was a shortage of laxatives due to the start of the “Budget Ozempic” trend in which users on TikTok promoted taking laxatives, particularly Miralax, daily using the hashtag #GutTok, to attempt to lose weight.

One woman shared a TikTok claiming a combo of Miralax and four Dulcolax Laxative Soft Chews is her go-to method of “detoxing” her body, especially post-vacation.

Not only are laxatives and stool softeners not meant to be used as a long-term drug — nor do they have lasting effects on weight loss — but they can be harmful to one’s health for many reasons.

Dr. Angela Fitch, MD, FACP, FOMA, Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer at knownwell and President of the Obesity Medicine Association, told The Post that using laxatives for weight loss “is not safe and not effective long-term. People can get serious electrolyte disturbances that can lead to heart arrhythmia and death from laxative abuse.”

“Laxatives like Miralax are safe to use long-term for constipation management in people who are constipated, but abusing them in order to produce weight loss is medically and psychologically dangerous.”

Despite potential side effects from laxatives and stool softeners, some people have made the switch after they stopped taking weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy due to extreme side effects.

Ozempic and Wegovy, drugs called semaglutides and designed for people with Type 2 diabetes, help the pancreas release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high.

Both drugs have become widely used as weight-loss drugs, but only Wegovy has been approved for weight loss by the Food and Drug Administration — specifically for individuals with a body mass index of 30 and higher, or 27 and higher for those with a weight-related health condition.

The drugs work by mimicking a natural hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1, which slows down the passage of food through the stomach, making people feel full for longer.

“Budget Ozempic” laxatives, on the other hand, work by quickly moving waste through the intestine and secreting water into the bowel, which can cause an imbalance of mineral and salt levels.

According to the Mayo Clinic, overuse of laxatives can lead to reliance on them for a bowel movement. Overuse can also make constipation worse and cause long-term constipation because they can decrease the colon’s ability to contract.

But laxatives and stool softeners can also cause extensive diarrhea, and using them too often and for too long can damage a person’s intestines and increase the chances of colon cancer.

Long-term use can also lead to an electrolyte imbalance in the body — such as calcium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and sodium levels. Electrolytes regulate many body functions, and an imbalance can lead to serious health issues such as heart rhythm changes, weakness, confusion and seizures.

Other symptoms one might see after overusing laxatives or stool softeners include severe stomach cramps or pain, changes in bowel patterns, bloody stools or rectal bleeding, weakness, unusual tiredness or dizziness.

There’s also a risk of dehydration and poor nutrient intake.

The misuse of laxatives could additionally increase the risk of eating disorders, and Dr. Fitch added that “using laxatives for weight loss is technically bulimia.”

A 2022 study found that those who take semaglutides regained two-thirds of their prior weight loss after a year of being off the drug.

A more recent study published in December 2023 found a similar result in FDA-approved tirzepatide, the main ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound.

CNN reported several dieters who have been diagnosed with severe gastroparesis, a condition that slows or stops the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine, likely as a result of taking Ozempic, their doctors believe.

Some people are rushing to the restroom and waking up with soiled sheets — and some revealed that they joined a “s–t the bed club,” saying they’ve woken up to find themselves covered in their own poop.

Users of the drug have also claimed they experienced odd dreams about Hollywood stars.

People have been sharing bizarre slumber fantasies on social media that include joining the cast of “The Golden Girls,” preparing to rob a museum with Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, and carrying Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s baby and then blending their families.

Another side effect, “Ozempic finger,” has digit and wrist sizes shrinking, and jewelers have reported that women are coming in droves to size down their rings and bracelets — up a shocking 150% compared to last year.

And then there’s “Ozempic burp” — specifically, “sulfur burps” that smell of rotten eggs.

Some have even said their butts have flattened “like a pancake” — including one person who reportedly had undergone a previous Brazilian butt lift.