New research into widely used weight loss drugs, including Ozempic, reveals significant health risks. These drugs, initially developed for diabetes treatment, have gained popularity for aiding weight loss and addressing other health conditions. However, the findings raise important questions about their broader effects.
The study, published in Nature Medicine on Jan. 20, analyzed data from nearly 2 million people over 3.5 years. Led by Ziyad Al-Aly, a physician-scientist at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System, the research compared health outcomes for about 200,000 people using GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, to those of 1.7 million taking other diabetes medications. The team examined 175 health conditions.
Health risks associated with weight loss drugs
The study revealed serious health risks. GLP-1 drugs were associated with an 11% increase in arthritis risk and a 146% higher chance of pancreatitis, a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Daniel Drucker, an endocrinologist at the University of Toronto, called attention to these newly highlighted risks, emphasizing the need for cautious use.
Experts have raised concerns about the study’s methodology. Randy Seeley, an obesity specialist at the University of Michigan, noted the research did not account for factors like age and lifestyle. Without these controls, it’s difficult to determine whether the drugs or other differences among participants caused the observed outcomes.
GLP-1 Drugs Offer Brain Benefits but May Pose Other Health Risks
A large study of over 2 million veterans revealed that GLP-1 receptor agonists, including drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, offer notable benefits to brain and behavioral health, such as reduced risks of addiction,… pic.twitter.com/DIQbj2zHzp
— Neuroscience News (@NeuroscienceNew) January 20, 2025
Drucker added that the study measured relative risk but did not report the absolute number of cases. A two-fold reduction in risk is significant if it reduces 350 cases to 175, but less impactful if it changes 10 cases to five, he explained. Detailed numbers are crucial for healthcare providers to assess the findings’ relevance for patients.
Al-Aly acknowledged these gaps, noting that future studies will examine absolute event counts and include more diverse populations. The current research primarily involved older white men linked to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, limiting its generalizability.
GLP-1 drugs lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease
GLP-1 drugs in the study were associated with notable benefits. These medications were linked to lower risks of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease, compared to other diabetes treatments.
The study also found an 18% reduction in the risk of psychotic disorders, a 12% decrease in Alzheimer’s disease, and a 13% drop in addiction-related conditions. Researchers believe the drugs’ effects on brain regions controlling reward and impulse behavior may explain the reduced cravings for substances like tobacco, alcohol, and opioids.
Obesity itself contributes to numerous health problems, and these drugs target not only weight loss but also other processes in the body, Al-Aly explained.
The study demands the need for further research to clarify the benefits and risks of GLP-1 drugs, especially as their use continues to expand.