Weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have played a positive role in tackling the obesity epidemic and some have even touted them as “miracle drugs”. While originally designed as treatment for type 2 diabetes, they have been found to be quite effective in weight loss which can in turn translate into many other benefits for health. However, a latest study published in Nature Medicine, highlights some worrying side effects of the weight loss drug which need to be considered by people.
GLP-1 medications are linked with a range of health benefits in the past studies from reducing risk of dementia to controlling alcohol addiction, but the new study says their use can increase higher risk of kidney, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal issues. This little-known side effects need to be studied more as these weight loss drugs are comparatively new and more research is needed to understand their full effect.
Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs (VA) St. Louis Health Care System conducted a study on over 2 million people with diabetes who were taking GLP-1 medications. The 2 million veterans who were treated for diabetes from October 1, 2017, to December 31, 2023 were taken into account and patients included people of diverse ages, races, and sexes. The researchers compared 175 health outcomes between veterans who took GLP-1RA drugs to treat their diabetes and those who took more traditional medications sold under brand names such as Jardiance, Glipizide, and Januvia.
Benefits
The study brought forward many benefits of GLP-1RA drugs including reduced risks of seizures and addiction to substances such as alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, and opioids. People also experienced decreased risks of suicidal ideation, self-harm, bulimia, and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. It also showed a decreased risk of neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
“Interestingly, GLP-1RA drugs act on receptors that are expressed in brain areas involved in impulse control, reward, and addiction — potentially explaining their effectiveness in curbing appetite and addiction disorders,” said Al-Aly, the director of the Clinical Epidemiology Center at the VA St. Louis Health Care System, where he is head of the research and development service. “These drugs also reduce inflammation in the brain and result in weight loss; both these factors may improve brain health and explain the reduced risk of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.”
Side effects
What’s important to note is that while these medications have a wide range of benefits, they aren’t without risks.
The study highlights the potential side effects of the medications, including an increased risk of gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in rare cases paralysis of the stomach.
“These have been well documented in the research and anecdotally,” Al-Aly said. “Our study confirmed such findings.”
While this was earlier known, the study highlights how GLP-1RA drugs can negatively affect the pancreas and kidneys. These adverse effects can be severe and there is a need to stay watchful for signs of pancreatitis and monitor kidney function among people taking GLP-1RA medications. This is especially important because kidney problems can silently occur without any notable symptoms and reach an advanced stage with limited treatment options.