A new University College London study featuring 17,604 participants age 45 and up discovered that semaglutide -- a GLP-1 agonist found in weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy -- decreases the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, like a heart attack and stroke, in patients who were of a higher weight or dealing with obesity. These patients also had cardiovascular disease, but didn't have diabetes (the condition semaglutide is primarily used for), and early on in the study, their MACE risk decreased regardless of how much weight they lost or their waist circumference. Their results were compared with those of participants taking a placebo.
After 20 weeks, a reduction in waist size was associated with a greater reduction in MACE compared to weight loss. However, waist circumference alone accounted for, at most, 33% of the MACE reduction, meaning that semaglutide's cardiovascular benefits were not solely based on its impact on waist size.
This was the largest study of its kind on GLP-1s in patients with cardiovascular disease, and it found that semaglutide could have cardiovascular benefits beyond its weight-loss effects. However, side effects of these drugs also need to be considered, which further research can take into account.
In the meantime, we consulted with experts to learn more about the benefits and risks associated with GLP-1s, such as Ozempic, Wegovy and others.
What are GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic?
GLP-1 agonists, also known as incretin mimetics, are a class of medication that is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes and, in some cases, obesity.
"The glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) is a naturally occurring hormone in the small intestine which triggers the release of insulin from the pancreas. This process helps to regulate blood sugar levels," said Angela Haynes-Ferere, associate professor at Emory School of Nursing in Atlanta. "The GLP-1 agonist mimics the action of this naturally occurring hormone. After eating, blood sugars will rise, and these medications cause the pancreas to release more insulin which helps to lower blood sugar."
In addition to helping people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar, this medication reduces one's appetite. It also slows the digestive process so patients report feeling full with less food intake. This results in weight loss for many users, but it varies based on many individualized factors, said Haynes-Ferere.
According to Cleveland Clinic, most of the GLP-1 agonists are available as liquid medication that needs to be injected under the skin, except one that is available in tablet form (Rybelsus).
A few generic and brand names of GLP-1 agonists, according to the Johns Hopkins Patient Guide to Diabetes, include:
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