Semaglutide is a glucose-lowering drug developed by Novo Nordisk for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In June 2021, the FDA approved Semaglutide for marketing as a weight loss drug (trade name Wegovy). The drug is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that can mimic its effects, reduce hunger, and thus reduce diet and calorie intake, so it is effective in weight loss.
In addition to being used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, Semaglutide has also been found to protect cardiovascular health, reduce cancer risk, and help quit drinking. In addition, two recent studies have shown that Semaglutide can also reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Previous studies have shown that weight loss can relieve the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (including pain relief). However, the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonist weight loss drugs such as Semaglutide on the outcomes of knee osteoarthritis in obese people have not been fully studied.
On October 30, 2024, researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Novo Nordisk published a research paper titled: Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Persons with Obesity and Knee Osteoarthritis in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), a top international medical journal.
This clinical study showed that semaglutide can significantly reduce weight and significantly reduce the pain caused by obesity-related knee arthritis (the analgesic effect is equivalent to that of opioids), and improve their ability to participate in sports. This is also the first time that a new type of weight loss drug, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has been confirmed to treat arthritis.
Post time: Feb-27-2025