Dr. Jorge Moreno, Yale School of Medicine assistant professor, discusses new drugs for weight loss like Ozempic, exploring their benefits, risks, and unknowns. He explains how medications like Ozempic trick the brain into feeling full, highlights the similarities and differences between available weight loss medications, and addresses eligibility criteria and stigma associated with taking these drugs. The podcast also touches on the future of diabetes medications, including potential long-term effects, upcoming triple agonist drug, and affordability issues.
Obesity medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, which mimic a hormone called GLP1, have been shown to help patients lose an average of 15% of their weight over 68 weeks.
It is crucial to follow the indications for these medications, as they have specific criteria for use, and close follow-up and ongoing management are necessary to monitor for side effects and ensure optimal outcomes.
Deep dives
Overview of Obesity Medications
In this podcast episode, Dr. Jorge Moreno, an obesity medicine expert, discusses the rise in popularity of obesity medications. He emphasizes that obesity is a serious disease and deserves aggressive treatment. He explains that these medications work by mimicking a hormone called GLP1, which activates appetite centers in the brain and reduces food cravings. Dr. Moreno highlights the effectiveness of semaglutide-based medications, such as Ozempic and Weggovy, which have been shown to help patients lose an average of 15% of their weight over a period of 68 weeks. He also mentions the potential long-term use of these medications, comparing obesity management to the management of chronic conditions like diabetes.
Understanding the Indications and Safety
Dr. Moreno emphasizes the importance of following the indications for these medications, including having a BMI over 30 or a BMI over 27 with coexisting conditions like diabetes. He cautions against using these medications without meeting the criteria, as the safety profile is not well-studied in individuals who don't qualify. He also mentions certain contraindications, such as gastrointestinal problems, pancreatitis, acid reflux, gallbladder disease, and pregnancy. Dr. Moreno emphasizes the need for close follow-up and ongoing management to monitor for side effects and ensure optimal outcomes.
Addressing Stigma and Considering Long-Term Impacts
Dr. Moreno acknowledges the stigma associated with obesity and the use of medications for weight loss. He highlights the importance of destigmatizing obesity and providing patients with a comprehensive understanding of the biology behind their condition. He compares obesity treatment to other chronic diseases like diabetes, emphasizing the need for long-term management. Dr. Moreno also discusses the cost of these medications and advocates for making them more affordable and accessible. He mentions that the field of obesity medicine is continuously evolving, with new medications on the horizon that may offer even more options for tailored treatments.
New drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro are billed as a revolutionary new approach for losing weight. But are these actually miracle drugs? Dr. Sanjay Gupta turns to Yale School of Medicine assistant professor Dr. Jorge Moreno to explain the science behind these medications – from the benefits to the risks to the unknowns. Plus, what anyone who’s interested in taking these drugs should know.