LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — New Gallup data shows 11% of U.S. adults are taking weight loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, up from 3% in 2024.
As use grows, so does the debate over the benefits and risks alleged in hundreds of pending lawsuits.
Changing the business of treating obesity
The demand for weight-loss medications has changed the business of treating obesity.
“The past five-plus years, this entire arena has just exploded,” said Dr. Bernie Hanna, a Las Vegas bariatric surgeon.
Hanna once specialized in bariatric surgery. He said surgical volume “has taken a huge hit” and “has dropped by 50%.”
“There are surgical practices that are closing. I know right here in Las Vegas,” Dr. Hanna said.
Hanna now sees patients who have tried or are interested in GLP-1 medications that treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
“It works through delaying gastric emptying. So, you’re fuller, faster, fuller, longer,” said Brianna Abney.
“It affects insulin, insulin resistance, uh, glucose control,” Hanna said.
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Growing use and added discipline
A recent Gallup survey found 28 million Americans are taking these medications.
“You have to incorporate great diet, exercise program, because there’s muscle wasting also. So, they have to do weight training. So, they have to be very disciplined,” he said.
The country’s obesity rate dropped for the first time in more than a decade.
Side effects and lawsuits
There are potential side effects.
“Nausea, the GI effects. You know, nausea, vomiting, uh, slow gastric emptying, constipation, diarrhea, people can get pancreatitis, which can be pretty bad,” he added.
Manufacturers of some of these popular drugs are also facing hundreds of lawsuits over alleged vision loss and serious stomach issues.
In a recent study published in Clinical Nutrition, some GLP-1 medications were linked to a rare, deadly neurological condition.
“The numbers are very small when you talk about these severe side effects. You know, pancreatitis, the vision, and, and it’s not something that you see commonly at all. You know, that’s a very, very small number. We’re just hearing about them,” Dr. Hanna said.
Hanna said patients should always see a doctor first.
Novo Nordisk responds
Novo Nordisk released a statement saying patient safety is of utmost importance to the company, and it takes all reports about adverse events from the use of its medicines very seriously.
“Semaglutide (known by its brand names Ozempic® and Wegovy®) has been extensively examined in robust clinical development programs, large real-world-evidence studies and has cumulatively over 58 million patient-years of exposure. Semaglutide’s efficacy and safety have been extensively demonstrated in people with obesity/overweight as well as Type 2 diabetes with robust evidence for improving health outcomes,” a spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said Wernicke Encephalopathy is not a listed adverse reaction or warning and precaution in the prescribing information for the company’s semaglutide products, including Ozempic and Wegovy.
“Patients who initiate treatment with GLP-1 RA should receive guidance on appropriate healthy diet and physical activity, and those at risk of developing nutritional deficiencies, should be advised by their treating physicians on how to avoid them.”
What’s next
As for what’s next in the obesity drug market, Dr. Hanna said, “We’re going to see more indications for these medications to treat other illnesses too.”
A new weight-loss drug, retatrutide, or Reta, is currently in development and has been shown to produce more weight loss than other drugs on the market. It mimics three hormones involved in appetite and metabolism, instead of just one or two. It could be approved by the FDA late next year.
The medications work in part by mimicking gut hormones involved in appetite and blood-sugar regulation. They can slow stomach emptying and help people feel fuller for longer.
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