Ozempic, Wegovy, and other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs have catapulted into the mainstream of diabetes care, with more than 15 million people in the U.S. currently taking one. Evidence suggests GLP-1 drugs have many off-target effects—both good and bad—but healthcare providers don’t currently know the full extent of the drugs' effects. However, a recent analysis found that GLP-1s may reduce the risk of dementia, seizures, respiratory illnesses, cardiometabolic disorders, and certain infections more effectively than other diabetes drugs and typical care.

Using the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare databases, researchers identified roughly two million people with diabetes who were using a GLP-1 drug, one of three common anti-diabetes drugs (sulfonylureas, DPP4 inhibitors, or SGLT2 inhibitors), or continuing their usual care without adding new therapies. They tracked the participants' health for about 3.6 years.

They found that GLP-1 use was associated with a reduced risk of dementia (8%), seizures (10%), respiratory illnesses (10% to 25%), cardiometabolic disorders (7% to 22%), and certain infections (12% to 25%). However, the drugs were associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal issues (5% to 20%), low blood pressure (10%), kidney problems (10% to 15%), arthritic disorders (10% to 16%), and pancreatitis (15% to 20%).

These findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists offer promising benefits for people with diabetes while highlighting potential risks. Further research will illuminate the full range of the drugs' effects. Learn more about GLP-1 drugs in this clip featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.