Weight-loss drugs now tested for more diseases

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

Some medicines made to help people lose weight are now being tested to see if they can help with other health problems. These drugs, like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound, were first made to lower hunger and control blood sugar in people with obesity or diabetes. But now, doctors and scientists are studying if they can also help with issues like sleep apnea, alcohol addiction, heart and kidney diseases, Alzheimer’s, and liver problems.

Here are some health conditions where these weight-loss drugs are being tested:

1. Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where a person stops breathing for short times while sleeping. This can make people feel very tired during the day. In two recent studies, about 52% of obese patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea showed improvement when treated with Zepbound. This means the drug might help people breathe better at night and get a better sleep.

2. Alcohol Addiction

Researchers in Denmark are testing if semaglutide (sold as Ozempic or Wegovy) can help people who have obesity and struggle with alcohol use to drink less. They want to see if the drug, which lowers appetite, can also reduce cravings for alcohol and help people control their drinking.

3. Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is a condition that affects memory and thinking, usually in older people. Novo Nordisk, the company that makes semaglutide, has started a big trial with about 1,840 people. They want to find out if the drug can slow down memory loss in people with early Alzheimer's. This study may finish by the end of 2025.

4. Heart Disease and Stroke

Heart failure and stroke are very serious problems. Eli Lilly is testing tirzepatide (called Mounjaro or Zepbound) in people who have obesity and heart failure. Another study in Hong Kong is checking if semaglutide can help people recover from large strokes when used with a special medical procedure to remove blood clots. These studies hope to show if the drugs can protect the heart and brain or help them heal.

5. Chronic Kidney Disease

Many people with diabetes or obesity also have kidney problems. Recent studies showed that Ozempic helped slow down kidney disease and reduced the risk of heart problems or death by about 24% in some patients. Another trial is testing tirzepatide in obese patients with kidney disease to see if it helps keep kidneys healthy.

6. Fatty Liver Disease (NASH or MASH)

Fatty liver disease happens when too much fat builds up in the liver. Many people with obesity have this problem. In tests with semaglutide, over 1,200 patients took part. Tirzepatide showed strong results, with up to 74% of patients clearing liver disease after 52 weeks, compared to only 13% in a control group. This suggests the drug might help heal liver damage.

7. Brain Pressure Condition

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a rare condition linked to obesity. It causes high pressure inside the head, which can lead to headaches and vision problems. A study in Denmark is testing semaglutide with a very low-calorie diet in about 50 patients. The goal is to see if the drug can lower the pressure and ease symptoms. The study should finish by 2025.

Why Are These Drugs Being Tested for So Many Conditions?

The weight-loss drugs work by helping control hunger and blood sugar, but they also seem to do more. They may reduce inflammation in the body, help blood vessels stay healthy, and support hormones that affect the brain and organs. These effects might help with many diseases connected to obesity and diabetes. If proven true, these medicines could treat several health problems with fewer pills.

Possible Side Effects

Like any medicine, these drugs have side effects. Some common problems include nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort. A study in Canada found a small risk of serious eye disease for people taking GLP-1 drugs (the group these medicines belong to). Rare but serious side effects may include inflammation of the pancreas or thyroid growths, but these are still being studied.

Because many people are now using these drugs, doctors and health experts are watching closely for any new problems to keep users safe.

What Happens Next?

The tests and trials are at different stages. Some are almost finished, while others will continue through 2024 and 2025. If the results are positive, drug companies may ask for approval to treat new diseases. This depends on clear proof that the drugs help and are safe.

Many drug companies like Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and Roche are working on new versions of these drugs. They want to make medicines that work better, last longer, and cause fewer side effects.

Condition    Drug Being Tested    Progress / Result

• Sleep Apnea    Tirzepatide (Zepbound)    Improved breathing in ~52% of cases
• Alcohol Addiction    Semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic)    Trial underway with obese patients
• Alzheimer’s Disease    Semaglutide    Large trial of ~1,840 people
• Heart Failure / Stroke    Zepbound / Semaglutide    Trials to test heart and brain recovery
• Chronic Kidney Disease    Ozempic / Zepbound    Risk lowered by ~24%; trial ongoing
• Fatty Liver Disease (NASH/MASH)    Semaglutide / Tirzepatide    Up to 74% cleared disease
• Brain Pressure Disorder    Semaglutide + diet    Trial with 50 patients by 2025

Why This Matters

• If these drugs work for other diseases, it could mean big changes in medicine:
• People with obesity-related health problems might get better care with fewer medicines.
• Health insurance might start covering these drugs for more uses.
• Doctors may be able to treat some diseases more easily and with fewer side effects.
• Patients could get longer-term support for chronic conditions.

Drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound started as treatments for weight loss and diabetes. Now, they are being tested for many serious health issues. Early results are hopeful for conditions like sleep apnea, heart disease, kidney problems, Alzheimer's, and fatty liver disease.

Scientists are excited about these new possibilities but remain careful. More testing is needed to be sure the drugs are safe and effective for these new uses.

If everything goes well, these medicines could help millions of people live healthier lives in the years to come.