Stephen Fry, a celebrated actor and comedian, has recently shared his adverse experiences with the weight-loss drug Ozempic on the River Café Table 4 podcast. Fry, who is known for his roles in various notable productions including Blackadder, disclosed that he suffered severe side effects from the medication, such as vomiting up to five times daily, which forced him to discontinue its use. Despite initially finding the drug’s weight-loss results “astonishing,” Fry, aged 66, had to stop taking it due to worsening health concerns.

Fry’s revelations add to the mixed feedback Ozempic has received from celebrities. Sharon Osbourne and Amy Schumer are among those who have approved of the drug, citing significant weight loss, though Osbourne also mentioned feeling “overly slender.” In contrast, Kate Winslet and Oprah Winfrey have criticized the drug, with Winslet calling it “terrible” and Winfrey suggesting hesitancy towards such medications.

The discussions around Ozempic not only highlight its potential in aiding weight loss, as evidenced by Fry’s loss of over five stone, but also underscore the ongoing debate regarding its efficacy versus its side effects. Notably, figures like Rob Lowe have raised concerns over the long-term impacts of weight-loss drugs, further fueling the discourse on pharmaceutical versus lifestyle approaches to managing obesity. This controversy illuminates the broader societal challenges in finding effective and safe methods for weight management.