Ozempic and Wegovy, two GLP-1 agonist drugs, have been found to carry more benefits than risks for people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, their effects on other conditions are less clear.
A comprehensive analysis of over 200,000 people with diabetes who took the drugs found that they had a lower risk of developing 42 health conditions, including heart attacks and dementia. The study also found that the risk of suicidal thoughts and substance use disorders decreased by around a tenth.
However, not all results were positive. People taking GLP-1 agonists were more likely to experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and an increased risk of kidney stones and pancreatitis.
While the benefits of the drugs outweigh the risks for people with type 2 diabetes and obesity, the analysis has raised questions about their effectiveness for other conditions. Further research is needed to determine whether the benefits will outweigh the risks for those without these conditions.
Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2464829-glp-1-drugs-like-ozempic-and-wegovy-lower-the-risk-of-42-conditions