All articles tagged with #weight loss drugs
A Rutgers study suggests GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy may dampen impulsivity and alcohol use by affecting brain reward/self-control pathways, a possible factor in the U.S. decline in violent crime, though experts caution that correlation is not causation and long‑term effects remain uncertain.
Trump’s plan to negotiate discounted GLP-1 weight‑loss drugs for Medicaid has stalled: only Indiana has signed on, while 29 states will not participate due to tight budgets. Twelve states still cover GLP-1s, but five of those recently ended coverage (California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and South Carolina), with Rhode Island set to end in October. As other states weigh participation, many cite cost concerns and the risk to budget sustainability, meaning access to these drugs for low-income Americans on Medicaid is shrinking even as some argue these medications could reduce long-term health costs.
BBC follows comedian Steffen Peddie’s personal use of weight-loss injections (Wegovy) to shed over 8 stone and examines why men discuss such treatments less openly than women. With about 1.6 million adults in England, Wales and Scotland estimated to have used weight-loss drugs in 2024–25 (often bought privately), the piece shares men’s experiences, the stigma and privacy surrounding use, reported side effects, and medical calls for open discussion and routine monitoring to ensure safe, effective use.
CNN reports that about half of parents taking GLP-1 weight-loss medications are already discussing the treatment with their children. Experts warn that secrecy or overly restrictive dieting talk can harm kids’ body image and risk eating disorders, so the piece advocates neutral, health-focused conversations, modeling balanced eating, and keeping health separate from weight. It also underscores kids’ ongoing caloric needs, offers practical tips for shared meals and responding to compliments on weight loss, and points to resources for eating-disorder support.
CNN reports that about half of parents using GLP-1 medications are talking openly with their children about their use; experts warn that secrecy or shaming can fuel eating disorders. The piece urges neutral, health-focused conversations, modeling balanced eating and regular meals, and framing health beyond weight. It also emphasizes that kids need ample calories for growth and advises avoiding dieting talk around children while offering support if eating disorders arise.
Weight‑loss meds like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro (GLP-1 agonists) may also dampen alcohol cravings and consumption for some users. Reports and early studies show people drinking less—some with strong nausea or fullness after alcohol—while others notice little change. While these effects could aid weight loss and alter drinking habits, safety concerns, potential off-label use for alcohol use disorder, and the need for larger, longer studies mean regulators haven’t endorsed using these drugs for addiction treatment beyond obesity/diabetes populations.
Starbucks will stop covering GLP-1 weight-loss medications under its health plans for benefits-eligible employees starting in October, though the drugs may still be covered for other conditions; the change reflects a broader trend of employers reining in GLP-1 costs as healthcare bills rise, with some companies ending weight-loss coverage (Allina Health, PwC) while others continue substantial GLP-1 spending (Bank of America).
GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound promise to treat obesity as a medical condition, but social stigma persists: people are judged for using the meds rather than for being overweight, and studies show GLP-1 users face more negative perceptions than those who lose weight through diet/exercise; as uptake expands and more Americans know someone on GLP-1, experts expect attitudes to gradually shift.
A Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism study of over 157,000 obese adults without diabetes found that GLP-1 weight‑loss medications (liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide) were associated with an 18% lower risk of age‑related macular degeneration, rising to 30% when AMD type was unspecified. There was no protective effect for the wet (exudative) AMD form, and a trend toward protection for dry AMD was not statistically significant. The authors note the findings could reflect weight‑loss–mediated effects or retinal anti‑inflammatory action (NLRP3), but the study is observational with relatively short follow‑up, so more research is needed to confirm mechanisms and clinical implications.
Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge Program runs July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027, giving Part D beneficiaries access to GLP-1 weight‑loss medications (Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, Foundayo) prescribed for weight loss with a flat $50 copay. Eligibility uses BMI thresholds (no underlying condition: BMI 35+; with condition: BMI 27+). The program is managed centrally outside standard Part D; providers submit prior authorization, and coverage is nationwide. The drugs covered include Wegovy and Foundayo, plus Zepbound KwikPen. The $50 copay doesn't count toward deductibles or the out‑of‑pocket limit. GLP‑1 drugs can yield 14–20% weight loss per year, but stopping typically leads to regain and side effects like nausea; the drugs are often intended to be used long‑term.
The piece surveys reported side effects of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs (like Wegovy and Mounjaro), noting that digestive issues such as nausea and diarrhea are well-documented, eye problems appear rare but possible, and pregnancy-related considerations remain uncertain. It highlights 'Ozempic face' and hair thinning as widely discussed side effects, with hair loss potentially tied to rapid weight loss and nutritional changes rather than the drugs alone. Overall, evidence varies by side effect, and more research is needed to confirm causal relationships and reversibility.
Massachusetts and several other states have halted or reduced Medicaid coverage for GLP-1 weight-loss medications, leaving low-income patients who started treatment unable to continue. Coverage had been about a third of states in mid-2025, but by 2026 the share fell to roughly one in five, underscoring widening disparities in access to obesity therapies due to high costs.
A BMJ study of about 50,000 patients finds that GLP-1 receptor agonists used for diabetes and obesity (Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic) are linked to a higher risk of hair loss than other diabetes meds, with a 37% higher risk vs SGLT-2 inhibitors and 68% higher vs DPP-4 inhibitors; most hair loss is non-scarring and may relate to weight loss/caloric restriction and micronutrient changes, though regulators are reviewing safety signals; hair loss is usually not physically harmful but can affect quality of life.
A BMJ study of electronic health records finds GLP-1 receptor agonists, used for type 2 diabetes and obesity, are associated with a higher but still rare risk of alopecia compared with SGLT-2 and DPP-4 inhibitors; most cases are reversible as hair follicles remain intact; rapid weight loss and nutritional factors may contribute; the risk could affect patient satisfaction and adherence, and more research is needed to understand mechanisms and identify who is at greatest risk.
Supermodel Heidi Klum posted beach clips showing her topless with a Chipsfrisch potato chips bag covering her chest while lounging with her dog; the moment ties to her Chipsfrisch by Heidi Klum snack collaboration and comes as she embraces aging and rejects weight‑loss drugs, noting her husband encouraged her to eat more and that she looks better at a larger size with age.