One in eight US adults has taken Ozempic or another type GLP-1 drugresearch shows — and now a major new study has revealed a long list of benefits and some little-known risks.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists—containing either semaglutide or liraglutide—are prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, but previous studies have linked the drugs to other, unexpected benefits.
Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs (VA) St. Louis studied the health outcomes of more than two million veterans with diabetes who took Ozempic or another type of GLP-1 drug between Oct. 1, 2017 and December 31, 2023, according to the university’s press release.
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They then compared these results with veterans taking non-GLP-1 drugs for diabetes.
One in eight US adults has taken Ozempic or another type of GLP-1 drug, research shows. (iStock)
The study, published in the journal Nature on January 20, identified a “widespread association” between Ozempic and some significant health benefits.
These benefits include reduced risks of neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementiaseizures and addiction to harmful substances such as alcohol, cannabis, stimulants and opioids.
Other positive health effects included a lower risk of suicidal ideation, self-harm, bulimia, and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.
“GLP-1s have many benefits for at least 42 conditions other than weight loss – from addiction disorders memory/cognition problems, blood clots and infections,” study lead author Ziyad Al-Aly, a clinical epidemiologist at Washington University in St. Louis, told Fox News Digital.
Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs act on receptors in the brain involved in impulse control, reward and addiction, Al-Aly noted, which may explain why they are effective in reducing food cravings and means of addiction.
“GLP-1s have many benefits for at least 42 conditions beyond weight loss.”
“These drugs also reduce inflammation in the brain and result in weight loss; both of these factors may improve brain health and explain the reduced risk of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia,” he added.
They also found that GLP-1 drugs were associated with several side effects.
Novo Nordisk is the manufacturer of Ozempic, which is approved to treat type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. (Getty Images)
Risk of gastrointestinal problems — including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and, more rarely, stomach paralysis — were widely known before this new study, the researcher noted.
However, a new discovery is that these drugs can negatively affect the pancreas and kidneys. They were also associated with higher odds of developing arthritis.
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“Although these side effects are uncommon, they can be very serious; doctors must be alert for signs of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and monitor kidney function in people taking GLP-1RAs,” Al-Aly said in a press release.
“Kidney problems can occur without symptoms until the condition is at an advanced stage with limited treatment options.”
Reduced obesity has long been associated with less inflammation in every body system, the expert noted. (iStock)
The researchers acknowledged that the study, which was funded by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, had some limitations.
“This is a discovery approach that involves more than two million people and is not a randomized trial,” Al-Aly told Fox News Digital.
“People who really lose weight are happier overall – they feel empowered.”
Seth Kipnis, MD, medical director of bariatric and robotic surgery at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, was not involved in the study, but said it confirms what he has seen in his own clinical practice.
“People who have really lost weight are generally happier — they feel empowered because they can finally control their weight,” he said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.
The risk of gastrointestinal problems — including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and, more rarely, stomach paralysis — was widely known before this new study. (iStock)
Reduced obesity has long been associated with less inflammation in every body system, Kipnis noted.
“Gastrointestinal problems and kidney problems will always be seen if people are not eat properly and staying hydrated,” he said. “If you take these medications without nutrition education, they can be harmful.”
Recommendations and predictions
Based on the findings, the researchers noted, people should be aware that these drugs not only have a “broad beneficial profile,” but also important risks.
“People should use that information to discuss with their provider whether GLP-1 is the right drug for them,” Al-Aly recommended.
“A person with a lot of GI problems may find these drugs intolerable.”
“A person trying to lose weight i stop smoking or drinking may find GLP-1s particularly useful—they help kill two birds with one stone—but a person with a lot of GI (gastrointestinal) problems may find these drugs intolerable,” he continued.
“Each person’s health profile is different. The pros and cons should be discussed with the service provider.”
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Given their effectiveness in inducing weight loss and improving health, GLP-1 drugs are likely to become more common and more widely used, Hackensack’s Kipnis predicted.
“We do not hesitate to prescribe many long-term medications for hypertension, heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis, reflux and many other ailments,” he said.
A new study has found that GLP-1 drugs can negatively affect the pancreas and kidneys. (iStock)
“This new class of drugs, because it reduces obesity, has the potential to reduce the use of all other drugs used for treatment conditions associated with obesity.”
However, according to Kipnis, not every doctor should prescribe these drugs.
“Physicians with weight management programs and nutrition education programs would likely have better outcomes and fewer side effects,” the doctor said.
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Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic (approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and reduced risk of cardiovascular events) and Wegovy (approved for regulating body weight and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events), made the following statement to Fox News Digital.
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“Semaglutide has helped millions of people fight chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. While we want to help even more people with chronic diseases, we are exploring the potential of semaglutide in several other disease states.”
Wegovy, also manufactured by Novo Nordisk, is FDA approved for weight management and reduced risk of cardiovascular events. (Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
“Patient safety is of utmost importance to Novo Nordisk. The known risks and benefits of semaglutide medicines are described in their FDA-approved product labels, and we work closely with authorities and regulatory bodies around the world to continuously monitor the safety profile of our products.”
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The company added that the “totality of data” from previous studies “provides reassurance in the safety profile of semaglutide.”
