What Ozempic-like drugs can treat beyond obesity, diabetes

Even if you’re not diabetic or obese, could Ozempic be right for you?

Since the weekly injection was approved in 2017 to treat diabetes in adults, researchers have tested its superpowers in other chronic diseases, such as colorectal cancer, osteoarthritis, drug and alcohol addiction, brain disorders, and more.

“I’m using it [Ozempic] off-label for a host of conditions — and have been for years,” Dr. Caroline Messer, an endocrinologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital, told The Post. “Even though it’s not yet approved for sleep apnea, we’re using it for this. We use it for fatty liver [disease]high cholesterol, you name it.”

Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Victoza, and Trulicity are part of a class of diabetes and obesity medications called GLP-1 drugs. They make you feel fuller for longer by mimicking the body’s GLP-1 hormone that is naturally produced after eating.

Most of the secondary conditions that these drugs are being used to treat are related to obesity.

Obesity causes chronic low-grade inflammation, which is when the body’s natural chemical response to an irritant or injury remains active long after the threat has passed.

GLP-1s masterfully reduce the amount of inflammation in the body by stimulating weight loss, interacting with immune cells, and blocking the release of cytokines, which are proteins that respond to cell damage from injury or infection.

“Cytokines are produced by an excess number of fat cells in obese people,” Dr. Sue Decotiis, a board-certified weight loss physician based in Manhattan, explained to The Post.

“Cytokines modulate ‘inflammatory’ problems, such as arthritis and skin diseases, which promote cancer,” Decotiis continued. “By emptying this reservoir of fat cells, the body is helped to return to a healthier state.”

Decotiis called GLP-1 “an exciting category of drugs”—here are some of the conditions they can help treat.

Colorectal cancer

Alarmed by rising rates of colorectal cancer in young people, an international team of scientists plans to start human trials as early as next year to see if GLP-1 drugs can “alter molecular signatures associated with cancer”.

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of 13 types of cancer. For example, people who are obese are 1.3 times more likely to develop colorectal cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Obesity, type 2 diabetes and cancer are linked to insulin resistance – which is when the body’s cells don’t respond well to insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar.

GLP-1s stimulate insulin release, improving insulin sensitivity. And in addition to reducing inflammation, the drugs can increase the function of cancer-fighting natural killer cells, Messer said.

“[There are] many different theories out there, but I think what we know for sure is that [GLP-1s] definitely lowers the risk of colorectal cancer,” she added.

Knee pain in osteoarthritis

Obese knee arthritis sufferers experienced almost a 50% reduction in knee pain after taking Ozempic as part of a study published last month in the New England Journal of Medicine.

“We clearly know that losing weight helps [osteoarthritis]”, Messer said. “But they’re saying it improves osteoarthritis even without weight loss. There is certainly an inflammatory component to it [osteoarthritis]so I guess that’s how it works.”

Messer has also seen GLP-1 help her patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation.

Substance abuse

“A lot of times, the addictive behavior is to give the body a dopamine hit,” Messer said.

GLP-1 drugs may be able to treat alcohol and opioid addiction by affecting dopamine levels in the brain.

Ozempic users have reported fewer cravings for alcohol, drugs, and nicotine, along with food.

Brain disease

“I have patients already with mild cognitive impairment or APOE genes for Alzheimer’s who are taking these medications for preventive purposes,” Messer said of GLP-1.

A particular variant of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene significantly increases the risk of Alzheimer’s.

Ozempic has shown promise in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain, reducing tau proteins and amyloid plaques, which are key markers for dementia.

Skin conditions

Recent research found that obese people who took semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy — lost weight, reduced inflammation, improved blood sugar and decreased their hidradenitis suppurativa flare-ups.

The skin disease that causes lesions, which is strongly linked to obesity, affects at least 1 in 100 people.

“They’re seeing incredible results because of the anti-inflammatory effect,” Messer said. “In my patients, I see a reduction in psoriasis, probably due to inflammation.”

Sleep apnea

Research this year found that tirzepatide – the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound – reduced the severity of sleep apnea by up to 63% in obese adults with obstructive sleep apnea.

About 39 million American adults have this condition, which occurs when throat muscles relax during sleep and repeatedly block the airway. Losing weight often helps.

Polycystic ovary syndrome

PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that affects ovarian function.

One study found that Ozempic caused significant weight loss in nearly 80% of obese PCOS patients who did not respond to other treatments—and helped regulate their menstrual cycles.

Heart attacks and early death after a stroke

New preliminary research published Monday found that patients with type 2 diabetes who received Ozempic after a stroke had a 74% lower risk of an early death, as well as an 84% reduced risk of a heart attack.

The study authors noted that GLP-1 drugs have been shown to lower blood pressure and help prevent hardening of the arteries, which is a major risk factor for strokes.

Looking to the future

Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, which makes Ozempic and Wegovy, says its scientists are working on treatments for cardiovascular disease, a rare blood disorder, haemophilia, growth disorders and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, a chronic liver disease.

Meanwhile, the company warns that treatment decisions should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional and require strict medical supervision.

“Novo Nordisk does not promote, suggest or encourage off-label use, or misuse, of any of our medications,” a spokesperson told The Post.

Ozempic has been hailed as a “wonder drug,” but some users have complained of side effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

Less commonly, there have been reports of an eye condition causing blindness, hair loss and behavioral changes. Plus, shock buyers should beware.

Novo Nordisk said this month that compounded versions of semaglutide, prepared by a pharmacy rather than the manufacturer itself, have been linked to at least 100 hospitalizations and 10 deaths.