GLP-1 medications help reduce appetite and promote weight loss, but can cause significant muscle loss without adequate protein intake and strength training, experts said.
Researchers are launching a new study to investigate whether GLP-1 drugs, already approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity, could help treat long COVID symptoms.
Some of the more than a dozen states that cover the high cost of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic and Zepbound through Medicaid or state employee insurance programs are scrambling to lessen the budgetary squeeze from fast-rising costs.
While West Virginia's employee health insurance program covers drugs like Ozempic for people with type 2 diabetes, officials decided to indefinitely pause covering their use for weight loss patients because of the cost.
New weight loss medications like Wegovy, Zepbound, and Saxenda are proving highly effective but remain relatively new. Large studies are ongoing to assess their benefits and potential harms.
Use of diabetes and obesity medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and other so-called GLP-1 drugs has soared among teens and young adults.