Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic could also help fight dementia but raise other health risks, study says

Ozempic, a medication initially approved to treat diabetes in Canada seven years ago, has been the subject of the largest study of its kind. The study suggests that not only does Ozempic, along with other medications in the same class known as GLP-1 agonists, offer potential health benefits beyond just addressing obesity, but also pose an increased risk of certain conditions.

GLP-1 agonists work by mimicking the actions of a natural hormone that helps to reduce appetite and slow down digestion. Health Canada has approved medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which have gained popularity in recent years due to their weight-loss benefits by prolonging the feeling of fullness.

A recent study involving 200,000 individuals in the U.S. taking GLP-1s indicated that these drugs may have additional benefits beyond what is currently recognized, including a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. However, Dr. Abraham Snaiderman, a psychiatrist at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, advises caution and suggests not rushing to use these medications for conditions other than diabetes and obesity.

For those prescribed GLP-1 medications for weight loss, Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, the senior author of the study, highlights potential additional benefits such as curbing addictions, including smoking. The study, published in Nature Medicine, tracked associations between GLP-1 drugs and 175 health conditions over 3½ years among individuals with diabetes.

The study also revealed potential risks associated with Ozempic and similar drugs, such as an increased risk of nausea, vomiting, arthritis, and low blood pressure leading to fainting.

In terms of effects on the brain, the study linked GLP-1 drugs to a lower risk of addiction disorders. Al-Aly explains that these medications not only suppress appetite by acting on the stomach but also target areas in the brain involved in impulse control and reward signaling, thereby reducing cravings for substances like cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs.

The study also suggested a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney diseases, schizophrenia, and suicidal ideation among individuals taking GLP-1 medications. The wide array of potential benefits and risks associated with these drugs may be due to the presence of GLP-1 receptors not only in the gut but also in the brain and other organ systems.

However, the study also identified new risks linked to GLP-1 use, such as pancreatitis and inflammation of the kidney. Dr. Daniel Drucker, a clinician-scientist at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, emphasizes that caution is necessary as these medications are expensive, have side effects, and are not suitable for everyone.

Al-Aly and his team acknowledge the need for future studies to include more diverse groups to ensure the findings are applicable across different demographics. It is essential to await further data from clinical trials before considering broader use of GLP-1 medications beyond their current approved indications.