Josh Morgan / USA TODAY NETWORK
DETROIT, July 24, 2024 ~ Popular prescription drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, both of which contain the active ingredient semaglutide, have seen a significant expansion in their prescribed applications.
Ozempic was approved for use by the FDA in 2017 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Its effectiveness however in promoting weight loss was remarkable, leading to the development of Wegovy, which was approved in 2021 specifically as a weight management drug.
PODCAST:
July 24, 2024 ~ Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, popular treatments for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, can now be used to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiac death. Guy and Jamie talk with Henry Ford Health internal medicine Dr. Joshua Collins about who is eligible to use these GLP-1 drugs.
(CONTINUED) As use expands, doctors and patients are starting to see even more off-label applications. Benefits include improved cardiovascular health, with the potential to reduce the risks of stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular death.
Beyond, research and clinical trials suggest that these drugs may also slow the progression of kidney failure and may have application as an anti-addiction treatment. There is also research suggesting that semaglutide may offer even more of an enhancement in the control of blood sugar when combined with other drugs.
Increased demand for these drugs has created a shortage, with manufacturer Novo Nordisk recently increasing their production to a 24/7 operation.
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