How Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound Can Help Treat Other Diseases: Here’s What You Need To Know

Topline

A group of drugs that includes common drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus (semaglutide) or Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide) have not only proven effective in treating weight loss and diabetes. Sugar: Increasing evidence shows that these drugs can be effective in treating other conditions such as cancer. , Alzheimer’s and COVID-19.

Important Points

Covid-19: Semaglutide (ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) may have a Mortality Rate

Although patients taking semaglutide during the COVID-19 pandemic had similar rates of COVID-19 infection compared to the placebo group, those taking the drug had a lower risk of 33% of deaths from coronavirus infection, researchers found.

Heart Problems: Semaglutide Drugs Can Reduce Strokes, Heart Attacks

An August study found that semaglutide reduced the risk of cardiovascular conditions such as stroke and heart attack in people with heart disease by 28%. The drug also resulted in a 24% reduction in cardiovascular-related deaths, and a 19% reduction in all-cause mortality, according to the study. A previous study also found that the drug reduced the risk of stroke, heart attack or death from cardiovascular disease by 20% in those who were obese or overweight, which causing the FDA to approve semaglutide for cardiovascular management in those with a high BMI.

Diabetes: Tirzepatide Reduces Type 2 Risk

Tirzepatide significantly reduced the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 94% in people with prediabetes who were overweight or obese, according to an August study.

Sleep Apnea: These weight loss drugs can reduce breathing problems

Researchers found tirzepatide significantly reduced the number of obstructive sleep apneas—one of the main predictors of disease severity—for obese people with moderate-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea. to strong. Some patients have seen such dramatic improvements that they may no longer need their continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, which keep the airways open, while they sleep.

High Blood Pressure: Weight Loss Drugs Can Reduce Risk

Overweight and obese patients taking tirzepatide saw a significant reduction in their blood pressure – especially those taking the highest dose of the medication – a February study found.

Alcoholism: Ozempic Can Reduce Alcoholism

Obese patients who took semaglutide saw a 50%-56% reduction in the risk of alcohol abuse and relapse. Researchers completed the study using patients with Type 2 diabetes, and found similar results.

Kidney Disease: Semaglutide May Prevent Chronic Kidney Disease

Participants taking semaglutide who had Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease were 24% less likely to have a major kidney-related event such as kidney failure, according to research in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Cancer: 10 Types These Drugs Can Reduce

GLP-1s such as semaglutide and tirzepatide caused a significant reduction in the risk of 10 types of cancer in people with Type 2 diabetes compared to insulin, according to a study in JAMA Oncology. The cancers included in the study were gallbladder, colorectal, ovarian, endometrial, kidney, esophageal, liver, multiple myeloma, meningioma and pancreatic cancer—all of which are obesity-related cancers.

Pancreatitis: Semaglutide may reduce it in diabetics

Patients with Type 2 diabetes and a history of pancreatitis took semaglutide and were followed for 15 years. They were three times less likely to develop pancreatitis again compared to who take other drugs.

Liver Disease: Both Drugs Can Reduce Risk

Patients with Type 2 diabetes and chronic liver disease who took GLP-1s had a reduced risk of developing liver cancer and cirrhosis—inflammation of the liver— compared to those who did not take the drug, Gut’s study found.

Parkinson’s: Drugs can stop symptoms from getting worse

Participants in a phase II trial with Parkinson’s who took a classic GLP-1 called lixisenatide saw no worsening of motor function symptoms over the course of a year, compared to a placebo group that saw increased symptoms.

Alzheimer’s: Drugs may slow it down

The researchers found that patients with Alzheimer’s who took liraglutide had an 18% slower decline over the course of a year compared to those who took a placebo.

Depression: Drugs Can Prevent Depression

Patients taking tirzepatide, semaglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide were less likely to be diagnosed with depression after starting the medication, compared to those who did not , according to the February study.

Suicidality: Studies Suggest to Reduce Harmful Thoughts

The relationship of GLP-1s and suicidal thoughts has been debated for a long time. The FDA reports that there is no preliminary link between semaglutide and suicidal ideation after investigating several adverse event reports. A recent study found that people who took semaglutide and had no history of suicidal thoughts were four times more likely to have suicidal thoughts compared to those taking non-GLP-1. Patients with a history of suicidal thoughts taking semaglutide were twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts compared to the group taking non-GLP1s.

What Side Effects Can These Drugs (Like Ozempic, Mounjaro) Cause?

As with any drug, GLP-1s have a risk of causing adverse events. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Other side effects may include dizziness, increased heart rate, infections, headaches and indigestion. Research suggests that semaglutide may be associated with a fourfold risk of developing a rare form of blindness called noarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy when used to treat Type 2 diabetes, and a risk of seven times when used for obesity. Patients taking semaglutide were at greater risk of serious gastrointestinal problems such as intestinal obstruction and gastroparesis—when the stomach slows or completely stops the movement of food into the small intestine. -according to a JAMA Ophthalmology study.

Background Key

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a class of drugs used in the treatment of diabetes and weight loss by interacting with the hunger part of the brain to suppress appetite, and lower blood sugar. blood pressure and A1C. Two of the most popular GLP-1 inhibitors are semaglutide (brand names Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus) and tirzepatide (brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound), but other drugs in this class include dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide and lixisenatide. Tirzepatide is a two-component drug, as it is a GLP-1 and insulinotropic polypeptide dependent on glucose (GIP), which works with the GIP hormone in the brain to increase insulin production and control appetite.

Continue Reading

What You Need to Know About Ozempic: Diabetes Drug Turns Weight Loss Blocker Hit (Elon Musk Brags About Using It) To Make a Deficiency (Forbes)

Diabetes Drug Mounjaro Expected to Be Approved for Weight Loss Soon: What You Need to Know and How It Compares to Similar Drugs (Forbes)

Semaglutide Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Events and Death in People With Heart Failure, New Study Suggests (Forbes)

Mounjaro/Zepbound Significantly Reduces Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Eli Lilly Suggests (Forbes)

Mounjaro and Zepbound May Lower Blood Pressure Significantly, Study Finds (Forbes)

More Evidence Suggests Ozempic (Semaglutide) Helps Prevent Addiction (Forbes)

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may keep your pancreas healthy (US News)

Ozempic developer suggests potential GLP-1 drug for Alzheimer’s in first trial (Forbes)

FDA Finds No First Link Between Ozempic and Suicidal Thoughts (Forbes)

Using Ozempic or Wegovy May Raise Risk for Rare Type of Blindness, Study Suggests (Forbes)

What You Should Know About Gastroparesis: Case Reports Ozempic And Mounjaro Cause Stomach Disease (Forbes)

Ozempic, Wegovy and Similar Drugs Increase Rare—But Serious—Stomach Problems, Study Shows (Forbes)