What Ozempic-Like Drugs Can Treat Beyond Obesity and Diabetes

Can Ozempic be right for you even if you are not diabetic or obese?

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

“I use [Ozempic] Off-label for a whole range of diseases – and has been for years,” said Dr. Caroline Messer, an endocrinologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital, told The Post. “Even though it is not yet approved for the treatment of sleep apnea, we use it for that. We use it against fatty liver [disease]high cholesterol, whatever.”

Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Victoza and Trulicity belong to a class of diabetes and obesity medications called GLP-1 drugs. They keep you feeling fuller for longer by mimicking the body's hormone GLP-1, which is naturally produced after eating.

Most of the secondary conditions treated with these medications are related to obesity.

Obesity leads to low-grade chronic inflammation, in which the body's natural chemical response to an irritant or injury remains active long after the threat has passed.

GLP-1s masterfully reduce the level 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 caused by injury or infection.

“Cytokines are produced by excessive numbers of fat cells in obese people,” explained Dr. Sue Decotiis, a Manhattan-based, triple-certified weight loss doctor, told The Post.

“Cytokines modulate 'switch-on problems' such as arthritis and skin diseases that promote cancer,” Decotiis continued. “Depleting this fat cell reservoir helps the body return to a healthier state.”

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

Colon cancer

An international team of scientists is alarmed by rising rates of colorectal cancer in young people and plans to begin human trials as early as next year to find out whether GLP-1 drugs can “reverse the molecular signatures associated with cancer.”

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

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

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

“[There are] There are many different theories, but I think we know this for sure [GLP-1s] “The risk of colon cancer is definitely reduced,” she added.

Knee pain from osteoarthritis

Obese patients with knee arthritis experienced a nearly 50 percent reduction in knee pain after taking Ozempic in a study published last month in the New England Journal of Medicine.

“We clearly know that weight loss helps [osteoarthritis]said Messer. “But they say it relieves osteoarthritis even without weight loss. There is certainly an inflammatory component [osteoarthritis]So I think 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.

Drug abuse

“Addictive behavior often involves giving the body a hit of dopamine,” Messer said.

GLP-1 drugs can potentially be used to treat alcohol and opioid addiction by affecting dopamine levels in the brain.

Ozempic users have reported reduced cravings for alcohol, drugs and nicotine, as well as food.

Brain disease

“I already have patients with mild cognitive impairment or APOE genes for Alzheimer’s taking these drugs for prevention,” Messer said of GLP-1.

A certain variant of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) significantly increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

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

Skin diseases

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

The lesion-causing skin disease, which is strongly linked to obesity, affects at least 1 in 100 people.

“You see incredible results because of the anti-inflammatory effects,” Messer said. “I see a reduction in psoriasis in my patients, probably due to the 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.

An estimated 39 million adults in the United States suffer from the condition, which occurs when the 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—and it helped regulate their menstrual cycles—in nearly 80% of obese PCOS patients who did not respond to other treatments.

Heart attacks and early death after a stroke

New preliminary research published Monday found that patients with type 2 diabetes who took Ozempic after a stroke had a 74% lower risk of early death and an 84% lower 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 stroke.

Looking into the future

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

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

“Novo Nordisk does not promote, recommend or encourage the off-label use or abuse of our medications,” a spokesperson told The Post.

Ozempic was hailed as a “miracle cure,” but some users complained of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain.

Less commonly, eye disease causing blindness, hair loss, and behavioral changes has been reported. Additionally, buyers of imitations need to be wary.

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