As researchers dig deeper into the long term effects of drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, more things are being discovered. A recently published article looked at whether it has a long term effect on bone mineral density as a potential cause of joint issues in the future.
Some medicines called GLP-1 drugs—like Ozempic and Wegovy—help people lose weight and control their blood sugar. But a new study suggests they might also make people a little more likely to get certain bone and joint problems, such as osteoporosis (weaker bones), gout (painful swelling in joints), and osteomalacia (soft bones).
The researchers think this might happen because these drugs can cause fast weight loss, which puts extra stress on the body and changes how nutrients are used. Losing weight too quickly can also raise uric acid, which can trigger gout.
The study looked at the health records of more than 73,000 people who used these drugs and compared them with a similar group who didn’t. The people taking GLP-1 drugs had a slightly higher risk of bone problems—less than 1% more on average—but it was still enough to notice.
Scientists say the study doesn’t prove that the drugs cause these issues, but doctors might want to keep an eye on bone health for patients who could be at risk.
Interestingly, another study found that people on these same drugs may actually recover better from bone and joint surgeries like hip or knee replacements, so it’s not all bad news.
Right now, doctors are still learning about the long-term effects of GLP-1 medicines. They can do a lot of good, but scientists want to make sure they’re safe for bones and the rest of the body too.
