Here are other conditions that Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound can successfully treat

Top line

A class of drugs that includes popular drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus (semaglutide) or Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide) has not only proven effective in treating weight loss and diabetes: Growing evidence suggests that these drugs may be effective in the treatment of other conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and COVID-19.

Key Facts

Covid-19: Semaglutide (ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) could affect death rate

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

Cardiovascular problems: Semaglutide drugs may reduce strokes, heart attacks

An August study found that semaglutide reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease such as stroke and heart attack in people with heart failure by 28 percent. The drug also caused a 24 percent reduction in cardiovascular-related death and a 19 percent reduction in all-cause death, according to the study. Previous research has also shown the drug reduces the risk of stroke, heart attack or death from cardiovascular disease by 20% in those who are obese or overweight, leading the FDA to approve semaglutide for cardiovascular management in individuals with a higher BMI.

Diabetes: Tirsepatide reduces the risk of type 2

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

Sleep apnea: These weight loss medications can reduce breathing problems during sleep

Researchers found that tirzepatide significantly reduced the number of pauses in breathing during sleep – one of the main factors in measuring the severity of the disease – for obese people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Some patients have seen such dramatic improvements that they may no longer require continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, which keep the airways open while they sleep.

High blood pressure: Weight loss medications can reduce the threat

Overweight and obese patients taking tirzepatide saw significant reductions in their blood pressure — especially those taking the highest dose of the drug — a February study found.

Alcoholism: Ozempic could reduce alcohol use disorder

Obese patients who received semaglutide saw between a 50%-56% reduction in the risk of alcohol use disorder and relapse. The researchers repeated the study using patients with type 2 diabetes and found similar results

Kidney disease: Semaglutide could prevent the chronic problem

Participants taking semaglutide who had type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease were 24% less likely to experience a major event related to kidney failure, according to research from the New England Journal of Medicine.

Cancer: 10 types that could be reduced with these drugs

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

Pancreatitis: Semaglutide could reduce it in people with diabetes

Patients with type 2 diabetes and a history of pancreatitis received semaglutide and were followed for 15 years. It was up to thrice less likely to experience a recurrence of pancreatitis compared to participants who received other drugs.

Liver disease: Both drugs may reduce the risk

Patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic liver disease who took GLP-1 had a reduced risk of developing liver cancer and cirrhosis – scarring of the liver – compared to those who did not take the drug, the intestine study I establish.

Parkinson’s: The drug can stop symptoms from getting worse

The participants in a trial phase II with Parkinson’s disease who received an older GLP-1 called lixisenatide saw no worsening of motor function symptoms over a year, compared to the placebo group who saw intensified symptoms.

Alzheimer’s: Drug may slow decline

Researchers I establish Alzheimer’s patients who received liraglutide had 18% slower cognitive decline over the course of a year compared to those who received a placebo.

Depression: Medicines can prevent depression

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

Suicidality: Studies suggest it can reduce dangerous thoughts

The relationship of GLP-1 to suicidal thoughts has long been debated. The FDA reported that there was no preliminary link between semaglutide and suicidal ideation after investigating several adverse event reports. Recent research found that subjects taking semaglutide with no prior history of suicidal ideation were four times less likely to experience suicidal thoughts compared to those taking non-GLP-1. Patients with a history of suicidal ideation taking semaglutide were two times less likely to experience suicidal thoughts compared to the non-GLP1 group.

What negative side effects can these drugs (such as Ozempic, Mounjaro) cause?

Like any other drug, GLP-1s have the risk of causing side effects. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal related, such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea, according to at the Cleveland Clinic. Other side effects may include dizziness, increased heart rate, infection, headaches and indigestion. Research shows that semaglutide may be associated with a fourfold higher risk of developing a rare form of blindness called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy when used to treat type 2 diabetes and a sevenfold higher risk when used for obesity. Patients taking semaglutide had a higher risk of developing serious stomach 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.

Key background

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor agonists are a class of drugs used to treat diabetes and weight loss by interacting with the hunger part of the brain to suppress appetite and lower blood sugar and A1C. Two of the most popular GLP-1s 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, being a GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which works with the GIP hormone in the brain to increase insulin production and control appetite.

Further reading

What you need to know about Ozempic: Diabetes drug becomes a viral weight loss hit (Elon Musk brags about using it) Creating a shortage (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 harmful cardiovascular events and death in people with heart failure, new study suggests (Forbes)

Mounjaro/Zepbound Drastically Reduces Type 2 Diabetes Risk, Eli Lilly Report Suggests (Forbes)

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

Evidence is mounting that osempic (semaglutide) helps curb alcoholism (Forbes)

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

Ozempic’s predecessor suggests potential for GLP-1 drugs in Alzheimer’s disease in early trials (Forbes)

FDA Finds No Preliminary Link Between Ozbeks and Suicidal Thoughts (Forbes)

Ozempic or Wegovy use could increase risk of rare form of blindness, study suggests (Forbes)

What you need to know about gastroparesis: Lawsuit claims Ozempic and Mounjaro cause severe stomach upset (Forbes)

Ozempic, Wegovy and similar drugs boost rare—but serious—stomach problems, study shows (Forbes)