Weight loss jabs could reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, even if people fail to lose a lot of weight, according to new research funded by a drug manufacturer.
Researchers looked at semaglutide, a prescription drug that decreases appetite and is sold under the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic, the BBC have reported.
The results haven't been published in a journal yet but have been presented at a conference, the BBC said.
Researchers looked at semaglutide, a prescription drug that decreases appetite and is sold under the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic. (Source: 1News)
Cardiology professor John Deanfield led the work and said semaglutide could have a positive impact on blood sugar, blood pressure or inflammation, as well as heart muscle and vessels.
The study, run by University College London, involved 17,604 people aged over 44 from 41 countries, has already shown heart benefits, BBC said.
Now, some data from the same trial suggests there are benefits regardless of a person's starting weight and how much they lose.
Speaking at the European Congress on Obesity in Italy, Deanfield said the findings had "important clinical implications".
He said it was an important discovery, comparing it to when cholesterol-fighting tablets were introduced in the 1990s.
"We finally figured out that there was a drug class that would change the biology of this disease to benefit a lot of people. That was a major breakthrough and it's transformed cardiology practice.
"We now have this class of drugs which could equally transform many chronic diseases of ageing," he said.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a brand name for semaglutide, which is a prescription medicine. It is taken as an injection once a week and is designed for long-term use.
It was approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes in New Zealand last year but most people probably associate the drug with celebrity slimdowns.
The medicine has proven popular with the Hollywood set for weight loss despite not being approved for that specific purpose.
How does it work?
Semaglutide mimics a hormone that is released in the gut when eating. It can prompt the body to make more insulin, reducing blood sugars, which is why it is used to treat some people with type 2 diabetes.
However, it can also suppress appetite and slow down gastric emptying, making people feel fuller for longer. This is why it has also been prescribed off-label for weight loss.
Off-label prescribing is when a doctor gives you a medicine that has been approved for treating a condition different to the one you’re being prescribed it for.
It hasn’t been approved for weight loss in NZ.
Many experts recommend people only use Ozempic if they have type 2 diabetes.
What are the potential side effects?
According to the Ozempic website, the most common side effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach pain.
However, the website lists more serious potential side effects, too, including pancreatitis, vision changes, low blood sugar, and kidney and gallbladder problems.
Ozempic has also caused thyroid tumours, including cancer, in studies using rodents. The maker of Ozempic says it’s not known if the drug will cause the same in humans, but advises people to contact their doctor if they get a lump or swelling in their neck or have trouble swallowing or shortness of breath.
It’s recommended people also stop using Ozempic two months before planning to become pregnant as the drug’s effect on unborn babies is unknown.
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