All articles tagged with #ozempic
A surge in GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic for weight loss has spurred thousands of lawsuits alleging serious gastrointestinal injuries and vision loss, with potential damages reaching billions; regulators say shortages have eased, while manufacturers defend the drugs’ safety.
A podiatrist explains that rapid weight loss from GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic can thin the foot’s fat pads, shrink intrinsic foot muscles, and cause structural changes that make shoes no longer fit, leading to pain, blisters, and ulcers—especially for people with diabetes. Practical steps include re-measuring shoe size, adding cushioning (heel cups, metatarsal pads, cushioned insoles), choosing well-cushioned shoes, strengthening the feet and overall body, moisturizing the skin, and checking feet daily; the weight loss benefits remain, but foot care during the transition is essential.
Bermuda’s Diabetes Association is rolling out generic semaglutide (a GLP-1 drug) via its community pharmacy, making treatments for diabetes and obesity cheaper and more accessible. Generics offer the same active ingredient and quality at significantly lower prices, potentially cutting monthly costs by more than half and easing financial pressure on patients, insurers, and the healthcare system. The move follows insurer partnerships and ongoing efforts to bend healthcare costs while expanding access.
A JAMA Network study using electronic health records of adults with type 2 diabetes found that GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are associated with a higher risk of smell and taste disturbances, including anosmia, parosmia, and parageusia. The authors suggest these effects may be due to GLP-1 interactions with the nervous system; weight loss common with these drugs can also influence taste and smell. While changes often improve as weight stabilizes, the study calls for closer monitoring and more research. Consult a clinician if you notice sensory changes.
A large retrospective study across 170 centers found that people with type 2 diabetes using GLP-1 drugs (such as semaglutide found in Ozempic/Wegovy) were about 48% more likely to be diagnosed with smell or taste disturbances than non-users, though the absolute risk is tiny (0.37% vs 0.22%). The findings do not prove causation and call for more research, but clinicians and patients should monitor for anosmia, parosmia, and parageusia, as these could affect diet and quality of life; potential mechanisms may involve GLP-1 receptors in the brain and olfactory system, and early detection could enable interventions like olfactory training.
Experts say the viral gelatin trend—promising to mimic Ozempic weight loss by drinking gelatin before meals—is not a weight‑loss fix; gelatin may temporarily curb hunger but should not replace balanced meals or GLP-1 medications, which work hormonally, and individuals should consult a physician before making diet changes.
A University of Louisville–led study published in JAMA Psychiatry finds that among people with eating disorders, about 32% have used GLP-1 medications (e.g., semaglutide in Ozempic/Wegovy) at some point, and roughly 22% are current users—rates much higher than the general public—while about 10% report misuse (such as higher or non-prescribed dosages or sharing). GLP-1s are not indicated for eating disorders, and some individuals may be using them to achieve rapid weight loss or extreme restriction. The researchers emphasize the need for stricter pharmacovigilance as GLP-1 products broaden in form and market reach.
A study of about 59,000 adults with type 2 diabetes found semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic/Wegovy) users had roughly 15% fewer bone fractures than peers on other weight‑loss meds (794 fractures among 26,324 semaglutide users vs 1,045 among 33,555 non‑semaglutide users), despite greater weight loss. The findings, presented at ENDO 2026, suggest a potential bone‑health benefit from semaglutide and underscore monitoring of bone health in weight‑loss therapies for older adults.
Rapid weight loss from GLP-1 medications like Ozempic is linked to cosmetic concerns such as thinner, longer earlobes dubbed 'Ozempic ears,' sagging skin across the body, and a rise in body-contouring procedures, with doctors advising higher protein intake and resistance training to help preserve muscle and skin.
A Rutgers-led study using a national survey of 7,521 U.S. adults found that current GLP-1 users show a notably weaker link between impulsivity and violent behavior compared with former users, and a reduced association between alcohol use and violence, though the work is observational and cannot prove causation. The researchers emphasize that more longitudinal research is needed to confirm any causal effects and to understand how GLP-1s might influence these behavioral pathways.
New York City sanitation workers are seeing a growing number of needle-stick injuries, with 35 incidents reported by June 3, 2026 and a projected year-end total around 83, up from 25 in 2019. The uptick coincides with widespread use of GLP-1 injections (like Ozempic), as more people dispose of needles in trash, creating safety hazards for DSNY crews who collect waste and sharps across the city; veteran workers report a notable cluster of incidents in Staten Island over the past 14 months.
At a major oncology conference, more than 40 observational studies suggest GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may lower cancer risk and improve outcomes, potentially by reducing obesity and inflammation. Notable findings include about a 30% reduced breast cancer risk and a roughly 50% drop in lung cancer risk, plus slower progression in several solid tumors. However, because these studies are observational, they cannot prove causality, and randomized trials are needed before using GLP-1s as cancer treatments.
A UT El Paso study of more than 142,000 adults with type 2 diabetes or obesity found that GLP-1 medications (including Ozempic) were associated with substantially lower rates of several substance-use disorders—74% lower for alcohol, 69% for opioid, 68% for nicotine, and 75% for cocaine—compared with similar patients not on GLP-1s. Researchers caution that this is observational and not proof of prevention; randomized trials are needed, and the team plans prospective studies to see if GLP-1 therapy changes substance use and mental health outcomes.
Using All of Us data, researchers analyzed 753 obesity patients prescribed GLP-1 medications (including semaglutide/Ozempic and tirzepatide) who had Fitbit data before/after starting therapy. After initiation, average daily steps fell from 5,047 to 4,487 and moderate-to-vigorous activity dropped from 28 minutes to 22 minutes, suggesting exercise promotion should accompany pharmacologic treatment. The findings are preliminary (to be presented at ENDO 2026) and older adults or those with musculoskeletal pain may be at higher risk for muscle loss.
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic can cause ears to lose fullness after rapid weight loss, prompting some patients to seek cosmetic fixes such as fat transfer to the earlobes, earlobe reductions, or fillers.