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. 2025 Apr 8:5:e59767.
doi: 10.2196/59767.

Online Information About Side Effects and Safety Concerns of Semaglutide: Mixed Methods Study of YouTube Videos

Andy Wai Kan Yeung #  1 , Fabian Peter Hammerle  2   3 , Sybille Behrens  2 , Maima Matin  4 , Michel-Edwar Mickael  4 , Olena Litvinova  2   5 , Emil D Parvanov  2   6 , Maria Kletecka-Pulker  2   7 , Atanas G Atanasov #  2   4
Affiliations

Online Information About Side Effects and Safety Concerns of Semaglutide: Mixed Methods Study of YouTube Videos

Andy Wai Kan Yeung et al. JMIR Infodemiology. .

Abstract

Background: Social media has been extensively used by the public to seek information and share views on health issues. Recently, the proper and off-label use of semaglutide drugs for weight loss has attracted huge media attention and led to temporary supply shortages.

Objective: The aim of this study was to perform a content analysis on English YouTube (Google) videos related to semaglutide.

Methods: YouTube was searched with the words semaglutide, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. The first 30 full-length videos (videos without a time limit) and 30 shorts (videos that are no longer than 1 minute) resulting from each search word were recorded. After discounting duplicates resulting from multiple searches, a total of 96 full-length videos and 93 shorts were analyzed. Video content was evaluated by 3 tools, that is, a custom checklist, a Global Quality Score (GQS), and Modified DISCERN. Readability and sentiment of the transcripts were also assessed.

Results: There was no significant difference in the mean number of views between full-length videos and shorts (mean 288,563.1, SD 513,598.3 vs mean 188,465.2, SD 780,376.2, P=.30). The former had better content quality in terms of GQS, Modified DISCERN, and the number of mentioned points from the custom checklist (all P<.001). The transcript readability of both types of videos was at a fairly easy level and mainly had a neutral tone. Full-length videos from health sources had a higher content quality in terms of GQS and Modified DISCERN (both P<.001) than their counterparts.

Conclusions: The analyzed videos lacked coverage of several important aspects, including the lack of long-term data, the persistence of side effects due to the long half-life of semaglutide, and the risk of counterfeit drugs. It is crucial for the public to be aware that videos cannot replace consultations with physicians.

Keywords: Ozempic; Rybelsus; Wegovy; YouTube; assessment; consultation; drugs; health issues; knowledge exchange; long-term data; online; online information; safety; semaglutide; side effects; social media; videos; weight loss.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The screening process of YouTube videos on semaglutide.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentage of full-length videos and shorts with a narration.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Percentage of full-length videos and shorts that covered the points from the custom checklist regarding the side effects and safety concerns of semaglutide.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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