New warning for users of weight-loss drugs
A new study published in BMJ Medicine reveals that the cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, may decline after discontinuation. The study included over 333,000 people with type 2 diabetes and showed that the risk of serious cardiac events increases by 14% after one year of stopping and 22% after two years.
A new study published in BMJ Medicine warns of the rapid decline in cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs after discontinuation. The study included over 333,000 people with type 2 diabetes, including about 132,000 who used drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Results showed that users of these drugs had an 18% reduction in the risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, strokes, and death. However, this benefit diminished in those who stopped treatment, with the risk increasing by 14% after one year and reaching a 22% increase after two years. Resuming treatment helped restore some, but not all, of the cardiac protection. Balvinder Dhol, a pharmacist at UK's Hay Pharmacy, says the findings remind us that the effects of these drugs go beyond weight loss, including improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and inflammation markers. He emphasizes that discontinuation should be done according to a planned strategy in consultation with a doctor. Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, the lead researcher, adds that some patients stop due to cost or side effects. The study focused on patients with type 2 diabetes, so its results cannot be directly applied to all users of these drugs.