Latest news with #GLP-1
India Today
19 minutes ago
- Health
- India Today
Endocrinologist Dr. Ambrish Mithal on the happy side-effects of weight-loss drugs
New-age weight-loss drugs are exploding the pharmaceutical market, offering better results than traditional medicines. Top endocrinologist Dr. Ambrish Mithal deconstructs the many facets, including side-effects, of these GLP-1 drugs in his recently published book The Weight Loss Revolution, in an episode of India Today's said that while the GLP-1 field -- drugs that belong to the class of GLP-1 targeting the same hormone in the body -- is just beginning to explode, there'll be many newer drugs with less and less side effects and easier to most cases have shown muscle loss as a prominent result of using GLP-1 medications like tirzepatide or semaglutide, Dr. Mithal explains that losing muscle is an accompanying factor to weight loss. "In the long run, if you're not following a healthy diet, you will end up with significant muscle loss. And this is not because of the weight-loss drugs. Whenever we lose weight, we also lose muscle. If you lose 10 kg, you've lost 2-3 kg of muscle. Now, if you want to preserve that, you have to ensure adequate protein and fibre in your diet. Along with that, you have to make sure that you're exercising regularly and that exercise should include strength training," Dr. Mithal also shared what many people experience loose skin after taking these medicines. "When you lose weight rapidly, you lose subcutaneous fat. Particularly in older people where skin tends to sag anyway. If you suddenly lose weight, don't hydrate yourself well, not eating the right kind of balanced diet, then you get that little sagging on the face which people have started calling Ozempic face. Before these drugs came into the market, anyone we put on a very strict diet or someone who had bariatric surgery would see similar results," he gastrointestinal side-effects, nausea, and vomiting, Dr. Mithal addressed concerns about thyroid cancer, highlighting that there's no evidence to link the also explained the "happy side-effects" of GLP-1 medications. Besides growing body of evidence suggesting how semaglutide is linked to Alzheimer's disease, Dr. Mithal said that the benefits of the drugs are moving beyond weight loss."The evidence that they might be helping Alzheimer's by helping obesity in the brain may actually be very exciting, and even for cardiac health, Parkinson's disease. Cardiac events are reduced. Fatty liver is reduced. Kidney disease progression is reduced. But the brain effects are particularly fascinating. Sleep apnea has also gone down," he said, adding that the drugs have also helped improve fertility outcomes in women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).Currently, most GLP-1 drugs are injectable and expensive, limiting their access in India. However, new formulations and more research are on the way. Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, two blockbuster fat-busting medicines, are set to gain ground in India to tackle the diabetes and obesity crisis."Remember, the GLP-1 field is just beginning to explode. There'll be many newer drugs with less and less side effects and easier to use," Dr. Mithal sayssaid.- EndsMust Watch
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Health
- Indian Express
How GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide have revolutionised obesity treatment
Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk launched its blockbuster weight-loss injectable semaglutide earlier this week, months after its competitor Eli Lilly's tirzepatide hit Indian markets — and nearly four years after these GLP-1 therapies took the United States by storm. The bottom line is this: these drugs have been shown to be extremely effective for weight-loss, helping people lose 15% to 20% of their body weight, equivalent to what they would otherwise lose with bariatric surgeries. Additionally, they have been found to be effective or are being studied for a host of other conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and obstructive sleep apnoea. It has also been reported that people on these drugs end up making significant dietary changes, consuming smaller, healthier meals. So how do these 'miracle drugs' work? How were they discovered? And what are other benefits of these drugs? Both semaglutide and tirzepatide belong to a new class of medicines called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists. They are prescribed for the management of type-2 diabetes and obesity. These drugs mimic certain naturally-occurring gut hormones called incretins (GLP-1 is one such incretin) produced in the small intestine, and are hence also known as incretin mimicker. They work by: 🔴 improving the secretion of insulin that allows more of the glucose in the bloodstream to enter cells where it can be used for energy; 🔴 inhibiting the secretion of the hormone glucagon that stimulates the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream; 🔴 slowing down the emptying of the stomach so that the glucose levels in the bloodstream doesn't spike; and 🔴 reducing appetite by signalling to the brain that one is satiated. Semaglutide and tirzepatide both mimic the action of GLP-1. Tirzepatide additionally also mimics the action of another hormone called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). While incretins were known as early as 1906, research into these gut hormones was overshadowed by the discovery of insulin in 1921. The substance produced by the pancreas has been used to manage diabetes for the past century. Interest in incretins was renewed in the 1960s after several studies showed that oral intake of glucose led to more insulin secretion than intravenously given glucose — demonstrating that the gut makes hormones that regulate insulin and glucose levels. GLP-1 became the first incretin to be discovered in 1986. Trials in the 1990s showed that GLP-1 infusion significantly increased insulin levels and lowered glucose levels in diabetic patients. But there was a problem: GLP-1 was not a very stable compound. This is where Novo Nordisk stepped in. While the pharma giant was primarily looking for a diabetes therapy, researchers believed GLP-1 drugs could also be used to treat obesity given that transplantation of some glucagon-producing tumours in animals caused profound anorexia. Novo Nordisk's first GLP-1 medicine was the daily-injectable liraglutide. Trial participants, however, experienced severe nausea, and when the doses were reduced, the efficacy suffered. But the trials found that nausea could be somewhat mitigated by starting at a lower dose and then gradually titrating up — a method still followed for both semaglutide and tirzepatide. The search for a once-weekly injectable eventually led to the discovery of semaglutide. This also proved to be much more effective than liraglutide for weight loss: those on semaglutide lost up to 15% of their body weight compared to 5% on liraglutide. This led to further clinical trials to look into the drug's weight loss effects. While it was already seeing off-label use for this purpose, semaglutide finally received approval for obesity management from the US regulator in 2021. In addition to the 15% average weight loss, trials with semaglutide have demonstrated its ability to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (such as heart attacks and strokes) by 20%, and the risk of all-cause mortality by 19%. Studies have shown a 69% reduction in heart failure events. There is also evidence that the drug can resolve fatty buildup in the liver in 63% of patients and improve liver fibrosis — the hardening of liver tissue due to fatty deposits — in 37% of cases. Tirzepatide, which uses an additional target gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), has been shown to lead to a weight-loss of up to 20% of the body weight. The medicine was also approved for the treatment of obesity-related obstructive sleep apnoea — a condition where a person's breathing stops and starts while they sleep. Trials have also shown that it can improve lipid profile, and demonstrated a 20% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular as well as all cause death. 'There is no doubt that the medicines are effective for kidney and heart conditions. There is also evidence that has emerged about fatty liver disease. But, what I am most excited about are the happy neurological side effects. There seems to be some evidence to show that the medicines are associated with lower risk of Alzheimer's and other dementia,' Dr Ambrish Mithal, chairman of endocrinology and diabetes at Max Healthcare, told The Indian Express. He added: 'Importantly, these drugs have reduced cravings in people. They are not only eating smaller meals but also healthier ones. Sweet cravings have gone down. There is also evidence to show that it helps with alcohol addiction.' Bolstered by the success of semaglutide and tirzepatide, several other drugs are now in the pipeline. 'There are a lot of drugs that are in the pipeline, including drugs with once-a-month dosing instead of every week and very effective oral pills,' Dr Mithal said. Trials are ongoing for drugs such as retatrutide that uses three targets: GLP-1RA and GIP used by its predecessor tirzepatide along with glucagon. There is also CagriSema that uses two targets GLP-1 RA and a new Amylin receptor agonist. Oral GLP-1 drugs such as orforglipron and danulipron may soon be available as well. Two other drugs, which use two targets GLP-1 RA and glucagon — Survodutide and Mazdutide are also in phase 3 clinical trials. Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government's management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country's space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University's Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor's Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
NHS weight loss jabs might 'not be suitable' for these 5 groups
GPs will be prescribing Mounjaro to a select few people as the rollout begins, but others may need to avoid the jabs completely GPs can now prescribe Mounjaro, but only to a select group of patients who meet stringent criteria, such as having a BMI over 40 and being diagnosed with four out of five qualifying conditions. But people with other pre-existing conditions may not be able to access this weight loss drug at all. Dr Crystal Willie from ZAVA clarified that weight loss drugs "may be unsafe depending on medications you are taking or pre-existing medical conditions". This includes three specific conditions: Pancreatic disorders like pancreatitis History of thyroid cancer History of gallbladder disease Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to do either might also be advised to avoid the medication. The same goes for people on certain medications like insulin or immunosuppressants. Dr Willie told the Mirror: "You should speak to your doctor about any conditions or medications before taking any weight loss injection. Mounjaro weight loss injections can lower your blood sugar levels too much if taken in combination with sulfonylurea or insulin (other diabetes treatments). "You shouldn't take Mounjaro alongside other weight loss injections, such as Saxenda or Wegovy. This could increase the risk of serious health risks and side effects." The doctor also revealed that weight loss medication might actually not do what people think, as research from ZAVA found up to 20% of people using the GLP-1 drugs don't see the expected results or hit a weight loss plateau. There are a variety of reasons for this, including: Incorrect dosage Missing doses Not improving your diet and an inactive lifestyle Not keeping hydrated Excessive alcohol consumption Persistent stress Having a poor sleep routine Other health conditions may interfere with the effectiveness of weight loss drugs, like diabetes, hypothyroidism, insulin resistance and PCOS. Medications like antidepressants or steroids may also cause weight gain or hinder fat loss. Dr Wyllie added: "While Mounjaro is an effective medication for weight loss, it's normal to encounter a plateau at some point. To enhance your results, it's important to follow the prescribed dosing schedule and aim to reach the appropriate maintenance dose, as higher doses are generally associated with greater benefits. "Beyond medication, factors like maintaining a balanced diet, regular physical activity, managing stress, and getting enough sleep play a crucial role in supporting your weight loss journey. If progress stalls despite these efforts, consulting your healthcare provider is essential to evaluate your plan and make necessary adjustments."
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Weight loss jabs linked to potentially fatal side effects, says new report
Hundreds of people have reported problems with their pancreas linked to taking weight loss and diabetes jabs, prompting health officials to launch a new study into side effects. Some cases of pancreatitis reported to be linked to GLP-1 medicines (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) have been fatal. Data from the medicines regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), shows that since the drugs were licensed there have been hundreds of cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis among people taking GLP-1 medicines. The new weight management medication 'Tirzepatide' (brand name Mounjaro®) is shortly being made available to NHS patients to support weight loss. Access is prioritised for those with the greatest clinical need. You can find out more at: — NHS Cheshire and Merseyside (@NHSCandM) June 24, 2025 This includes: 181 reported cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis linked to tirzepatide – the active ingredient for Mounjaro. Five people died. 116 reported reactions of this kind linked to liraglutide, one of which was fatal. 113 cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis linked to semaglutide – the active ingredient for Ozempic and Wegovy. One person died. 101 reported reactions of this kind linked to exenatide, three people died. 52 reported reactions of this sort linked to dulaglutide and 11 reported reactions lixisenatide. No fatalities were linked to either drug. These cases are not confirmed as being caused by the medicines, but the person who reported them suspected they may be. Review your ICB's local policy about treating patients with tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for weight management in a primary care setting and visit: — We are Primary Care (@PrimaryCareNHS) June 27, 2025 Nonetheless, Yellow Card Biobank project, launched by the MHRA and Genomics England, will see researchers examine whether cases of pancreatitis linked to GLP-1 drugs may be influenced by peoples genetic makeup. The MHRA is calling for people who are taking GLP-1 medicine who have been admitted to hospital due to acute pancreatitis to submit a report to its Yellow Card scheme. When a Yellow Card report is received, the MHRA will contact patients to ask if they would be willing to take part in the study. Patients will be asked to submit more information and a saliva sample which will be assessed to explore whether some people are at a higher risk of acute pancreatitis when taking these medicines due to their genes. GLP-1 agonists can lower blood sugar levels in people living with type 2 diabetes and can also be prescribed to support some people with weight loss. 🧵Weight loss jab roll out 'positive for patients' but with implications for general practice that must be considered. Our Chair Kamila Hawthorne has featured widely in the national press and broadcast media responding to the phased roll-out of Mounjaro prescriptions by NHS… — Royal College of General Practitioners (@rcgp) June 23, 2025 Chronic stress and poor sleep are major weight loss blockers. Stress increases cortisol, a hormone linked to fat retention, especially around the abdomen. Sleep deprivation increases ghrelin (hunger hormone) and decreases leptin (fullness hormone), making you more likely to overeat and less likely to move. You're also more impulsive and less motivated when sleep-deprived, making it harder to stick to your diet and exercise routine. As a solution, prioritise stress management techniques (like mindfulness or journaling), and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Medical issues such as PCOS, diabetes, hypothyroidism, or insulin resistance can all interfere with weight loss. Similarly, certain medications (like antidepressants or steroids) may cause weight gain or inhibit fat loss. If weight loss stalls despite doing everything right, consult your GP to rule out or address any underlying conditions. If you have a known medical condition, it's important to stay up to date with your routine reviews and inform your GP or specialist about any weight loss treatments you're using. Regular follow-up helps ensure your treatment plan remains safe and effective. More Mounjaro news... Who is eligible for Mounjaro on the NHS? Urgent holiday warning for Mounjaro users issued Mounjaro warning as summer temperatures rise Recent estimates suggest that about 1.5 million people in the UK are taking weight loss jabs. Health officials have suggested that they can help to turn the tide on obesity, but have stressed they are not a silver bullet and do come with side effects. Most side effects linked to the jabs are gastrointestinal including nausea, constipation and diarrhoea. And the medical regulator recently warned that Mounjaro may make the oral contraceptive pill less effective in some patients. Dr Alison Cave, MHRA's chief safety officer, said: 'Evidence shows that almost a third of side effects to medicines could be prevented with the introduction of genetic testing, it is predicted that adverse drug reactions could cost the NHS more than £2.2 billion a year in hospital stays alone. 'Information from the Yellow Card Biobank will help us to better predict those most at risk of adverse reactions – enabling patients across the UK to receive the safest medicine for them, based on their genetic makeup. 'To help us help you, we're asking anyone who has been hospitalised with acute pancreatitis while taking a GLP-1 medicine to report this to us via our Yellow Card scheme. 'Even if you don't meet the criteria for this phase of the Biobank study, information about your reaction to a medication is always extremely valuable in helping to improve patient safety.' Professor Matt Brown, chief scientific officer of Genomics England, said: 'GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy have been making headlines, but like all medicines there can be a risk of serious side effects. 'We believe there is real potential to minimise these with many adverse reactions having a genetic cause. 'This next step in our partnership with the MHRA will generate data and evidence for safer and more effective treatment through more personalised approaches to prescription, supporting a shift towards an increasingly prevention-focused healthcare system.'
Leader Live
11 hours ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Weight loss jabs linked to potentially fatal side effects
Some cases of pancreatitis reported to be linked to GLP-1 medicines (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) have been fatal. Data from the medicines regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), shows that since the drugs were licensed there have been hundreds of cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis among people taking GLP-1 medicines. The new weight management medication 'Tirzepatide' (brand name Mounjaro®) is shortly being made available to NHS patients to support weight loss. Access is prioritised for those with the greatest clinical need. You can find out more at: This includes: These cases are not confirmed as being caused by the medicines, but the person who reported them suspected they may be. Review your ICB's local policy about treating patients with tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for weight management in a primary care setting and visit: Nonetheless, Yellow Card Biobank project, launched by the MHRA and Genomics England, will see researchers examine whether cases of pancreatitis linked to GLP-1 drugs may be influenced by peoples genetic makeup. The MHRA is calling for people who are taking GLP-1 medicine who have been admitted to hospital due to acute pancreatitis to submit a report to its Yellow Card scheme. When a Yellow Card report is received, the MHRA will contact patients to ask if they would be willing to take part in the study. Patients will be asked to submit more information and a saliva sample which will be assessed to explore whether some people are at a higher risk of acute pancreatitis when taking these medicines due to their genes. GLP-1 agonists can lower blood sugar levels in people living with type 2 diabetes and can also be prescribed to support some people with weight loss. 🧵Weight loss jab roll out 'positive for patients' but with implications for general practice that must be considered. Our Chair Kamila Hawthorne has featured widely in the national press and broadcast media responding to the phased roll-out of Mounjaro prescriptions by NHS… Chronic stress and poor sleep are major weight loss blockers. Stress increases cortisol, a hormone linked to fat retention, especially around the abdomen. Sleep deprivation increases ghrelin (hunger hormone) and decreases leptin (fullness hormone), making you more likely to overeat and less likely to move. You're also more impulsive and less motivated when sleep-deprived, making it harder to stick to your diet and exercise routine. As a solution, prioritise stress management techniques (like mindfulness or journaling), and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Medical issues such as PCOS, diabetes, hypothyroidism, or insulin resistance can all interfere with weight loss. Similarly, certain medications (like antidepressants or steroids) may cause weight gain or inhibit fat loss. If weight loss stalls despite doing everything right, consult your GP to rule out or address any underlying conditions. If you have a known medical condition, it's important to stay up to date with your routine reviews and inform your GP or specialist about any weight loss treatments you're using. Regular follow-up helps ensure your treatment plan remains safe and effective. More Mounjaro news... Recent estimates suggest that about 1.5 million people in the UK are taking weight loss jabs. Health officials have suggested that they can help to turn the tide on obesity, but have stressed they are not a silver bullet and do come with side effects. Most side effects linked to the jabs are gastrointestinal including nausea, constipation and diarrhoea. And the medical regulator recently warned that Mounjaro may make the oral contraceptive pill less effective in some patients. Dr Alison Cave, MHRA's chief safety officer, said: 'Evidence shows that almost a third of side effects to medicines could be prevented with the introduction of genetic testing, it is predicted that adverse drug reactions could cost the NHS more than £2.2 billion a year in hospital stays alone. 'Information from the Yellow Card Biobank will help us to better predict those most at risk of adverse reactions – enabling patients across the UK to receive the safest medicine for them, based on their genetic makeup. 'To help us help you, we're asking anyone who has been hospitalised with acute pancreatitis while taking a GLP-1 medicine to report this to us via our Yellow Card scheme. 'Even if you don't meet the criteria for this phase of the Biobank study, information about your reaction to a medication is always extremely valuable in helping to improve patient safety.' Professor Matt Brown, chief scientific officer of Genomics England, said: 'GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy have been making headlines, but like all medicines there can be a risk of serious side effects. 'We believe there is real potential to minimise these with many adverse reactions having a genetic cause. 'This next step in our partnership with the MHRA will generate data and evidence for safer and more effective treatment through more personalised approaches to prescription, supporting a shift towards an increasingly prevention-focused healthcare system.'
