Drugs like Ozempic may have many beneficial effects on the body, but they are not without risks, a large new study suggests. (Image credit: Yulia Burmistrova via Getty Images)
Weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic may reduce the risk of 42 diseases but increase the risk of 19 others, according to one of the most extensive studies in the field to date.
Over the past decade, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) have gained significant popularity in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, with drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy becoming known to a wider audience.
These drugs help treat diabetes by stimulating insulin release and helping control blood sugar levels. They have also been linked to weight loss by potentially slowing digestion and reducing appetite. Wegovy also received regulatory approval in the U.S. in 2024 to treat cardiovascular disease, although its exact mechanism of action remains unclear.
There is emerging evidence that GLP-1RAs may help prevent conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and support patients suffering from other illnesses, including substance use disorders. However, there are also concerns about the side effects of using GLP-1RAs, including reports of gastrointestinal problems.
In a new study, scientists provide what they say is the clearest picture yet of the effectiveness and risks associated with using GLP-1 agonists.
In the study, the researchers analyzed the effects of GLP-1RA use on the health of 215,000 patients with type 2 diabetes over about four years. They then compared these results with a control group of more than a million people who received different types of antidiabetic drugs. Data on all participants was collected from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Overall, the researchers found that GLP-1RAs had a variety of beneficial effects, some of which were already well-established. For example, patients taking GLP-1RAs were 9%, 8%, and 12% less likely to have a heart attack, deep vein thrombosis, and Alzheimer’s disease than the control group. They were also less likely to develop substance use disorders, including alcohol and cannabis use disorders (both by 11%), and had a 12% lower risk of bacterial infections.
The study authors suggest that the findings could help health care professionals weigh the risks and benefits of prescribing drugs like Ozempic to patients.
These effects may be related to both the positive health effects of physical weight loss and other effects of GL
Sourse: www.livescience.com
