(NewsNation) — A study analyzing 92,000 people found semaglutides, found in GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, were linked to a 33% lower risk of dementia, among other health benefits.
Dr. Archina Sadhu, a professor of medicine at Houston Methodist University, joined “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Friday to discuss the nuances of the research.
“Like any drug, there are side effects,” Sadhu said. “It is surprising to all of us in the medical community how every clinical trial that’s coming out now, studying it for various indications, has had positive results.”
Sadhu said the medical community is not certain of how the drugs are working. Still, there are side effects such as gastrointestinal effects and potential links to certain thyroid tumors and gallstones.
She believes there could be a time when drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy may be more accessible and covered under Medicare and Medicaid.
“It is exciting to see that Medicaid and Medicare will be covering it as soon as next year … if all goes as planned, because these are high-risk populations, and would greatly benefit from the cardiovascular protection, kidney disease protection and liver protection, potentially as well.”