Ozempic is used to treat arthritis pain, report says
Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel joined 'Fox & Friends' to discuss his thoughts on using Ozempic to cure arthritis pain and why some doctors warn that some medications can affect heat sensitivity.
Popular medicines for weightloss And diabetes control may have a surprising additional benefit, according to some anecdotal reports.
Some people with rheumatoid arthritis who use GLP-1 drugs —such as Wegovy and Ozempic—have reported an improvement in the severity and frequency of their arthritic symptoms.
It's “well established” that autoimmune patients who also have obesity “have worse outcomes” than those who are a healthy weight, according to Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz, MD, a Texas-based rheumatologist and clinical advisor for WellTheory, a platform specializing in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
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“Any improvement in joint pain or inflammation is likely due to a combination of factors, of which weight loss is just one,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Our understanding of the interaction between obesity, adipose tissue and inflammation is incomplete, so at present, it is difficult to attribute an improvement in joint pain to any particular cause,” he continued in a written statement.
Some people with rheumatoid arthritis who use GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, have reported an improvement in the severity and frequency of their arthritic symptoms. (iStock)
“We are just beginning to discover the direct anti-inflammatory effects of these drugs, and it is likely that, along with weight loss, they will be beneficial for patients with autoimmune diseases.”
Does this mean that GLP-1s could eventually be prescribed for… arthritic patients?
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“There are certainly compelling anecdotes and emerging research on the anti-inflammatory effects of these drugs,” Ortiz said, “but we'll need specific studies evaluating their efficacy in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis before they become part of standard care.”
What we might see sooner, he predicted, is the use of GLP-1 as a means of Tackling obesity and metabolic syndrome in those with autoimmune arthritis.
“These drugs may reduce rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and improve patients' quality of life by addressing underlying inflammation and obesity, according to a recent meta-analysis,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
“Obesity has been associated with worse autoimmune and inflammatory symptoms and a poorer response to standard therapy,” he said.
“Those with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases also carry a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than those without these conditions, and the addition of GLP-1 therapy to their immunomodulatory therapy may prove to be a successful combination.”
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There are some potential risks that need to be taken into account, the expert noted.
In addition to having a higher risk of cardiovascular diseasePeople with autoimmune diseases are more likely to have osteoporosis, a condition of weakened bones that can lead to fractures.
“This may be a consequence of low muscle mass, something we are seeing in many taking GLP-1,” Ortiz said.
“Obesity is a gateway disease that underlies almost all age-related noninfectious diseases.”
“This aspect will need to be given special attention and weighed when determining how best to use these drugs in autoimmune patients.”
The other potential limitation to using GLP-1 is cost, he added.
“The cost of autoimmune drugs is already very high, and along with safety and efficacy, the cost of GLP-1 treatment must be considered,” Ortiz said.
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and Senolytix longevity expert, has long been a proponent of semaglutide drugs, including Wegovy, Ozempic and Zepbound, which belong to the GLP-1 class of drugs.
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and longevity expert at Senolytix, said obesity exacerbates inflammation throughout the body, primarily through visceral fat. He has been a longtime proponent of the drug semaglutide. (Dr. Brett Osborn)
“These drugs could reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and improve the health of patients.” quality of life “by addressing underlying inflammation and obesity, according to a recent meta-analysis,” Osborn told Fox News Digital.
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Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by chronic inflammation, joint pain and flare-ups, the doctor noted, and those with higher body fat and BMI face a higher risk of developing the disease.
“Why? Because obesity exacerbates inflammation throughout the body, primarily through visceral fat (the fat surrounding the abdominal organs), which secretes cytokines, chemical mediators that increase inflammation,” Osborn explained.
Cost could be a limitation for the use of GLP-1 drugs for arthritis. “The expenditure on drugs for autoimmune diseases is already very high and, along with safety and efficacy, the cost of GLP-1 treatment must be considered,” said one doctor. (Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
“This chronic inflammation can worsen RA symptoms and reduce the effectiveness of standard treatments,” the doctor added.
These medications help people reduce their consumption. simple carbohydrates —such as bread, pasta and rice—that contribute significantly to inflammation, according to Osborn.
“By curbing appetite and encouraging healthier eating patterns, GLP-1 medications help reduce consumption of these inflammation-triggering foods.”
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Beyond rheumatoid arthritis, GLP-1 drugs may also help fight systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other autoimmune diseases, the doctor said.
“Addressing obesity first can improve overall health and also reduce the risks of diseases such as heart attacks and strokes,” he added.
In addition to having a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, those with autoimmune diseases are more likely to have osteoporosis, a condition of weakened bones that can lead to fractures. (iStock)
“Obesity is a gateway disease that underlies almost all age-related noninfectious diseases.”
GLP-1 drugs offer “exciting potential” for treating rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, Osborn said.
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“Its ability to reduce inflammation and promote healthier eating “The patterns could significantly improve patients' quality of life.”
Osborn noted, however, that more research is needed to fully understand the impact of GLP-1 drugs on autoimmune diseases.
GLP-1 drugs offer “exciting potential” for treating rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, a doctor has said. (iStock)
“These genetic diseases are driven by obesity-associated inflammation; however, an obesity-first approach may not be suitable for all patients and could lead to poorly controlled inflammation if underlying conditions are not addressed.”
Other potential risks associated with GLP-1 drugs, such as the muscle loss Ortiz mentioned, “can be mitigated with careful monitoring by a experienced doctor“, Osborn said.
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Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, declined to comment on the potential impact on arthritis when contacted by Fox News Digital.
