Do You Understand the Weight Loss Medications?
Medications for weight loss have soared in popularity since 2017, when Ozempic was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There are now nine types of FDA-approved GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) agonists — a class of prescription drugs for weight loss. A recent poll found that 1 in 8 U.S. adults had tried or are using GLP-1s.
Scientists are also finding new uses for the breakthrough weight-loss drugs, which were originally designed for diabetic and medically overweight patients. Recently, the FDA announced Ozempic can be used to reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease. Wegovy won FDA approval to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or cardiovascular death, and Zepbound recently became the first drug approved for obstructive sleep apnea.
Research is still early, but the medications may eventually be used for a host of other medical conditions. A new, large-scale study published in the journal Nature Medicine reported that Ozempic and similar medications for weight loss may lower risk of 42 health conditions, including Alzheimer’s, substance use disorders, and mental health conditions.
Excerpted from Health Matters
