Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro may potentially be used for addiction, heart disease and Alzheimer’s
AI summary of this article in the Financial Times is presented here. It discusses the expanding use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) like Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy beyond their primary indications for obesity and diabetes. Here are the key points:
- Cardiovascular Health Benefits: The medications have demonstrated benefits in reducing cardiovascular risks, improving outcomes in chronic kidney disease, and reducing inflammation, which could lead to a decrease in healthcare costs related to these conditions.
- Economic Impact: The market for GLP-1 drugs is expected to grow significantly, with Goldman Sachs predicting a $130 billion market by 2030, driven by broader applications and ongoing trials.
- Mechanism of Action: While much of the benefit is attributed to weight loss, there’s evidence that GLP-1s might directly affect organs and reduce inflammation, suggesting benefits beyond just weight reduction.
- Addiction Treatment: Dr. Mo Sarhan has used GLP-1s to treat around 75 patients for various addictions, observing a significant reduction in cravings. Eli Lilly’s CEO, Dave Ricks, announced plans for large-scale studies on GLP-1s for treating alcohol, nicotine, and drug abuse.
- Broader Therapeutic Uses: GLP-1s have shown potential in treating a range of conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, chronic kidney disease, and sleep apnoea. Late-stage trials are underway for some of these uses, with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk leading the research.
- Future Directions: There’s optimism about developing oral versions of these drugs to make them more accessible and less costly. The potential for combining GLP-1s with other therapies for enhanced treatment of conditions like chronic kidney disease is also being explored.
The article highlights both the potential and the limitations of GLP-1s in modern medicine, reflecting on their journey from diabetes treatments to potentially life-changing drugs across various medical fields. click here to the original story.
