Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are synonymous with weight loss. But their medical value seems to be on a steady upswing, as researchers discover these medications are playing a powerful role with many other conditions.

What began as weight-loss and glucose management treatment for people with Type 2 diabetes, the group of medications known as Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are proving to successfully battle addictive behaviors, sleep apnea, and kidney ailments.

Perhaps the most significant emerging benefit is the positive impact these drugs can have on cardiovascular conditions. “While they were developed to treat obesity, we know they’re very good at managing diabetes and it’s proven to be effective in preventing cardiac conditions, especially in those who already have coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure,” says Dr. Morteza Tavakol, a cardiologist at Jupiter Medical Center. “They reduce future cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke.”

Many patients with congestive heart failure who had failed to lose weight multiple times with other methods succeeded with this treatment, according to Tavakol. Considering that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for people with Type 2 diabetes, these results are particularly encouraging.

“Some who used them were able to get off oxygen,” he says of patients he has treated. “People tend to have fewer strokes. We see people dying less and kidney disease is reduced, so it’s protective. There is less sleep apnea, fewer hospitalizations, and improved quality of life.”

The weight loss likely gets some of the credit, but the drug’s cardiovascular benefits appear to involve more than that. Large-scale, randomized, controlled tests conducted on three brands of GLP-1 RAs showed reductions of between 12 percent and 26 percent in major adverse cardiovascular events, such as cardiovascular death and nonfatal heart attacks and strokes.

“Over the last 20 or 30 years, there have been several weight-loss drugs developed, but none have reduced cardiac disease or the number of cardiac events,” Tavakol says. “We don’t really know how it does that, but it’s evident that it does. These drugs are well studied. We know how they work for weight loss and sugar control. We just don’t know how they prevent cardiovascular or kidney disease.”

Despite their high rate of success, there are people for whom this treatment is not recommended. “They should not be used by patients with a history of pancreatic issues, certain liver conditions, thyroid cancer, or pancreatic cancer, as use of the drug can exacerbate these conditions,” Tavakol says. And, of course, those who are allergic to any of the ingredients should also avoid them.

According to a report in the National Library of Medicine, common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, dizziness, mild tachycardia, infections, headaches, and indigestion.

HOW THEY WORK
The medication is usually administered as a subcutaneous injection, typically distributed in pre-filled pens. Most require a weekly shot the patient can administer to themselves. They contain a synthetic version of the GLP-1 hormone that is produced in the small intestine and colon to help regulate insulin levels in response to food intake.

The medication also assists the liver with glucose levels, slows gastric emptying in the gastrointestinal tract to produce a feeling of fullness, suppresses appetite, and reduces neuroinflammation.

They aid the heart by lowering blood pressure and lipids while boosting the heart rate, according to a Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare article.

WHO TAKES THEM
Like all treatments, this class of medicine isn’t a panacea. According to a poll by the health policy research and polling firm KFF, roughly 12 percent of U.S. adults—1 in 8—have used a GLP-1 drug. The study also revealed that 43 percent of adults with diabetes and 26 percent of those with heart disease reported using a GLP-1 RA. Roughly 6 percent of Americans currently take a GLP-1 drug.

Older adults make up the largest group using them, which makes sense because they are more likely than younger people to have been told by a doctor that they have diabetes or heart disease. The treatment is recommended by the American Diabetes Association and major cardiology organizations.

WHICH TO CHOOSE
Tavakol says he selects the type and brand of the medication depending on the patient. “Generally, I prescribe whichever one is covered by insurance,” he says. “I use semaglutide and tirzepatide most often.”

There are some differences among the various formulas. Semaglutides work on one hormone, while tirzepatides work on two. Studies indicate patients tolerated the tirzepatides better, experiencing fewer unpleasant side effects.

Patients who are on this drug regimen return to the clinic for periodic monitoring for as long as they continue to take it, Tavakol says, which can be three or four years. “They are usually on it indefinitely, but after a few years we can taper off or put them on a maintenance dose, where you take it every other week,” he says. “Generally, by that time, the behavior has changed.”

DRAWBACKS
One drawback is the cost, which runs from $700 to about $1,300 monthly without insurance, according to figures listed in Good Rx. People whose coverage includes these drugs may pay nothing to a portion of the cost.

“Getting the insurance to authorize it, even when someone has diabetes, can be challenging,” Tavakol says, because of the cost. “It also works well in those who don’t have diabetes, but insurance is less likely to cover it or, if they do, the patients pay a portion, too.”

More than half of those who used it said they had difficulty paying for it, whether they had insurance or not.

Another drawback: concerns when discontinuing GLP-1 drugs are weight gain, the impact on lifestyle habits, metabolic changes, and emotional health. To preserve the benefits derived from taking GLP-1 drugs, it’s important to maintain good nutritional habits and exercise.

Tavakol says JMC monitors patients who are taper offing. For those who have been on it for a few years, he believes changes in habits and, if they need more assistance, a biweekly maintenance dose, work well.

Other ways to get support while weaning off the drugs include apps and weight-loss companies such as Noom and MyFitnessPal, as well as online forums or coaching. Dietitians and health coaches can help those transitioning off the drugs to reinforce good habits and introduce new ones.

ADDED BENEFITS
While the fact that those who have obstructive sleep apnea report a decrease in difficulty sleeping and decreased reliance on their continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, the cause is likely due to the weight reduction, which also results in better breathing.

Improved impulse control is likely related to the impact the drugs have in reducing cravings and may also help with behavioral addictions, such as overeating or excessive screen time.

An observational study published in Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases in February 2025 concludes that tirzepatide and semaglutide may provide significant anticonsumption benefits, reducing recreational drug use, alcohol consumption, and other addictive behaviors.

“Something we didn’t anticipate was how it would reduce the addiction portion of a person’s lifestyle,” he says. “People who are alcohol dependent respond well. It reduces their craving for alcohol, smoking, and other things. That was not originally foreseen. It takes down that drive, reduces the amount of pleasure.”

Acronyms 101

GLP-1: – Glucagon-like peptide-1 is a hormone secreted in the intestines in response to food intake. It aids insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon release, and provides a sense of fullness. But it degrades rapidly.

GLP-1 receptor agonists (RA): These are synthetic versions that last longer than the naturally produced hormone. They provide glycemic (blood sugar) control, enhance satiety, and improve cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation and improving blood flow and blood pressure. There are several types used to treat obesity and Type 2 diabetes. They have also proven to help reduce sleep apnea and addictive behavior. Also called GLP-1 analogs and incretin mimetics, the first one, exenatide, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005.

GLP-1 RA TYPES/NAME BRANDS:
Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
Exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon)
Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda)
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus)
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)