The recent surge in popularity of Ozempic and other similar drugs—called GLP-1 inhibitors—has encouraged many people to take the medication for weight loss without incorporating recommended lifestyle changes like exercising and eating less.
A recent study, however, warns against this approach. Scientists discovered that when treated with liraglutide (Victoza)—a type of GLP-1 drug—participants who failed to exercise experienced reduced bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip and lumbar spine.
These are concerning findings, as people tend to lose BMD as they age anyway. Those taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic may be increasing their risk of future bone fractures and hospitalizations.
Studies Show Weight Loss Increases Bone Risks
There is a general concern that when older individuals lose weight, they may also lose bone mass. This is particularly true with rapid weight loss. In a 2015 study, researchers noted that “clinicians are often reluctant to prescribe weight loss in older individuals or those with low BMD, fearing BMD will be decreased.”
Researchers in a 2020 study agreed, writing, “Obesity in older adults is a growing public health problem, yet the appropriate treatment remains controversial partly due to evidence that weight loss reduces bone mass and may increase fracture risk.”
Regular exercise can counter this risk, helping to preserve bone mass. In another study, scientists found that exercise-induced weight loss didn’t change BMD, while calorie-restriction-induced weight loss did.
“These findings have important implications in designing an appropriate weight-loss therapy program in middle-aged adults,” the scientists wrote.
Taking Weight-Loss Medications Like Ozempic Without Exercise
For the study on liraglutide, scientists looked at data from 195 adults with obesity, aged 18 to 65. They randomly split them into four groups for one year:
- Group one exercised and received a placebo.
- Group two received just a placebo.
- Group three received liraglutide only.
- Group four received liraglutide and engaged in a regular practice of exercise.
The results showed that groups 3 and 4 experienced similar weight loss, but the combination group was more successful at preserving bone health. Worse, taking liraglutide alone reduced BMC more than exercise alone, despite similar weight loss.
Weight Loss with Liraglutide Alone Increases Bone Risks
Ozempic (semaglutide) and other similar GLP-1 medications were initially introduced on the market to treat type 2 diabetes. Aggressive advertising by manufacturers, however, has increased awareness of the potential weight-loss effects of these drugs, significantly driving purchases for weight loss alone.
Drugs in this class include the following:
- Ozempic
- Wegovy
- Mounjaro
- Zepbound
- Victoza
These drugs are advertised as being generally safe and effective, but they have been linked with potentially serious side effects. Stomach paralysis, for example—known as gastroparesis—is a condition in which the stomach muscles become so inactive that they fail to push food along the digestive tract at a normal pace. This can lead to complications like constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, and even malnutrition and dehydration.
Recent research presented at the Digestive Disease Week 2024 in Washington, D.C., for instance, showed that those taking the drugs had a 30 percent chance of suffering gastrointestinal side effects, including gastroparesis. Another study published in 2023 reported that the use of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss was associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis, gastroparesis, and bowel obstruction.
Injured Plaintiffs Want to Hold Manufacturers Accountable
Because manufacturers failed to warn about the serious nature of the gastrointestinal risks associated with their products, many patients who have suffered related injuries have filed complaints against them.
Manufacturers of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are currently defending thousands of lawsuits filed by plaintiffs claiming that the companies placed profits above public safety.
Exclusively focused on representing plaintiffs—especially in mass tort litigation—Roopal Luhana prides herself on providing unsurpassed professional legal services in pursuit of the specific goals of her clients and their families. While she handles complex cases nationwide on behalf of consumers, Ms. Luhana resides with her family in Brooklyn, New York.
Comments for this article are closed.