Home Health What they don’t tell you about Ozempic: a major study of 2 million users exposes the good, the bad and the ugly

What they don’t tell you about Ozempic: a major study of 2 million users exposes the good, the bad and the ugly

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A major study has revealed that weight loss drugs like Ozempic could put people at higher risk of a variety of life-threatening diseases.

A major study has revealed that weight loss drugs like Ozempic could put people at higher risk of a variety of life-threatening diseases.

Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine analyzed the health outcomes of more than two million people with diabetes who take popular weight-loss medications.

They found that these medications doubled the chances of developing pancreatitis, a potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas gland.

The condition can be fatal if the inflammation cuts off the blood supply to part of the pancreas, causing this area to die and become infected, causing sepsis.

It can also cause serious internal bleeding if toxins and enzymes leak from the organ and damage nearby blood vessels.

Experts also found that one-third of weight-loss drug users suffered from nausea or vomiting and the risk of developing arthritis was 11 percent higher.

While the benefits are broad and significant, the side effects can be “quite serious” and “need to be recognized,” they warned.

For the new research, a team at the University of Washington analyzed data from more than 215,000 people taking diabetes medications.

A major study has revealed that weight loss drugs like Ozempic could put people at higher risk of a variety of life-threatening diseases.

These were compared to more than two million people taking traditional medications to lower blood sugar levels.

They found that those taking the popular weight-loss drugs, also known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), had a lower risk of stroke, heart attack, substance use disorders, and convulsions.

The injections were even linked to a reduced risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

However, its use was also associated with an increased risk of a variety of other health conditions.

The analysis revealed that over 3.5 years, those using the drugs had an 11 percent higher risk of developing arthritis, a 30 percent higher risk of nausea and vomiting, a 10 percent higher risk of headaches, and a 12 percent higher risk of headaches. 100% more likely to suffer from sleep disturbances. .

This finding about arthritis contradicts previous studies, which found that glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA drugs) may actually reduce the risk, due to weight loss effects that can relieve pressure on the joints.

The injections were also associated with a doubled risk of drug-induced acute pancreatitis: a sudden inflammation of the pancreas, which is a small organ that helps with digestion.

Most people with this condition begin to feel better within a week, but some may develop serious complications such as infection, sepsis, organ failure, and internal bleeding.

Diabetic Juanita Gantt, 62, of Pennsylvania, is suing the manufacturer of Ozempic after a near-death experience she attributes to the drug.

Diabetic Juanita Gantt, 62, of Pennsylvania, is suing the manufacturer of Ozempic after a near-death experience she attributes to the drug.

Researchers said they have seen “skyrocketing” use of the shots in recent years, but this is the first comprehensive analysis that looked at 175 possible health-related effects.

And while they have a “wide range” of beneficial effects, “they are not without risks,” they said.

Last year, more than 160 deaths in the United States were linked to weight-loss vaccines.

One of the victims was a 45-year-old woman who choked on her own vomit while in Mounjaro.

Another involved a 23-year-old man who died of vomiting, nausea and a rapid heart rate after taking Wegovy.

It has not been proven whether any of the deaths in the United States were directly caused by the injections, but in some cases they are suspected to have played a role.

At the new Washington University School of Medicine, weight-loss drugs were also associated with “significant benefits” for neurological and behavioral health.

In Australia, Trish Webster, 56, died after taking an unauthorized medication to help her lose weight before her daughter's wedding. She lost 35 pounds (16 kg) in five months while trying to lose weight for a dress for her daughter's wedding.

In Australia, Trish Webster, 56, died after taking an unauthorized drug to help her lose weight before her daughter’s wedding. She lost 35 pounds (16 kg) in five months while trying to lose weight for a dress for her daughter’s wedding.

In line with previous research, the study confirmed the drugs’ potential to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular problems.

However, a combination of other benefits came to light, including the fact that weight-loss medications appeared to help reduce the risk of seizures and addiction to substances such as alcohol, cannabis, stimulants and opioids.

Another positive was that patients taking weight-loss medications experienced lower risks of suicidal ideation, self-harm, bulimia, and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.

Researchers believe that GLP-1RA drugs “act on receptors that are expressed in areas of the brain involved in impulse control, reward, and addiction, which could explain their effectiveness in curbing appetite and addiction disorders.” .

Similarly, researchers found a lower risk of neurocognitive disorders among patients, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

This, they say, could be because the drugs reduce inflammation in the brain, which can help improve brain health.

It comes amid a surge in the popularity of Ozempic, with millions more Americans taking the drug. Some surveys suggest that as many as one in eight Americans has tried the drug.

It comes amid a surge in the popularity of Ozempic, with millions more Americans taking the drug. Some surveys suggest that as many as one in eight Americans has tried the drug.

Commenting on the findings, the study’s lead author, Dr Ziyad Al-Aly, said: “Given the novelty of the drugs and their increasing popularity, it is important to systematically examine their effects on all body systems, leaving no stone unturned.” without stirring, to understand what they do and what they don’t do.

“Our approach has allowed us to create a comprehensive atlas that maps GLP-1RA associations spanning all organ systems.

‘GLP-1RA medications can have broad health benefits. However, they are not without risks.

“Our findings underscore the potential for these drugs to have broader applications, but also highlight important risks that should be carefully monitored in people taking these medications.”

Dr. Al-Aly says that while adverse effects from weight loss medications are “rare, they can be very serious.”

Because of this, researchers say doctors “should watch for signs of pancreatitis and monitor kidney function among people taking GLP-1RA medications.”

One concern with kidney problems is that they can occur without symptoms until the condition is in an advanced stage with limited treatment options.

Ozempic was first available in 2018, when it was approved for diabetics, but was often prescribed off-label for weight loss.

Its sister drug Wegovy, which uses slightly higher doses, was approved for weight loss in June 2021.

What they dont tell you about Ozempic a major study

The graph above shows deaths related to semaglutide and tirzepatide by year. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, while tirzepatide is used in medications such as Zepbound. Yellow is used for 2024 to indicate that the data is incomplete.

Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro drug, which uses tirzepatide, was approved for diabetics in May 2022, but has also been used off-label to help patients lose weight.

And in November 2023, the company’s Zepbound was approved for weight loss patients.

All of these medications are injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists and work by mimicking a hormone in the body that controls the rate at which food is processed in the intestine, slowing down this process.

This reduces appetite and helps people eat less.

In clinical trials, most people taking obesity medications lost an average of 15 to 22 percent of their body weight.

According to a survey by the independent health policy research firm KFF, 12 percent of American adults have used GLP-1 medications, including 6 percent (20.1 million people) who currently use them.

Some of the most common side effects associated with these medications include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, and fatigue.

The recent analysis found that over 3.5 years, those using the drugs had a 30 percent higher risk of nausea and vomiting, a 10 percent higher risk of headaches, and a 12 percent higher chance of developing health problems. of the dream.

For the recent study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine analyzed de-identified medical records in a database maintained by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

They compared 175 health outcomes between veterans who took GLP-1RA medications to treat their diabetes and those who took more traditional medications sold under brand names such as Jardiance, Glipizide and Januvia.

In total, the data set examined more than 2 million veterans who were treated for diabetes from October 1, 2017 to December 31, 2023.

The patients included people of various ages, races and sexes.

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