Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic could also help fight dementia but raise other health risks, study says – CBC

Researchers looked at 175 conditions in people with diabetes

Jan 21, 2025

Ozempic was first approved to treat diabetes in Canada seven years ago. Now the largest study of its kind suggests it and other medications like it have a host of other potential health benefits beyond obesity, but could also bring increased risk of other conditions.

The class of medications called GLP-1 agonists mimic the actions of a natural hormone that helps curb appetite and slows digestion. The GLP-1 medications approved by Health Canada include Ozempic and Wegovy. These drugs have become popular in the past few years thanks to their weight-loss benefits by extending how long people feel full.

A study released Monday of 200,000 people in the U.S. taking GLP-1s suggested the drugs’ potential benefits extend beyond those currently recognized, such as a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/ozempic-glp-1-nature-medicine-1.7436069