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Millions around the world are taking Ozempic to maintain or lose weight, but a new study has raised questions about its potential to treat other medical conditons
Doctors have weighed in on whether Ozempic could be the new Viagra, in the aftermath of pivotal research.
Diabetes drug Ozempic has sent shockwaves through Hollywood this year, with Rebel Wilson and Sharon Osbourne among the countless celebrities taking it to maintain or lose weight. But, doctors now wonder if it should be prescribed more widely to slash the risk of heart attacks and potentially even treat erectile dysfunctions.
These thoughts come as a ground-breaking University College London project was unveiled, with 8,803 people assigned the key ingredient of Ozempic and Wegovy to treat cardiovascular disease. Staggeringly, scientists found the risk of heart attacks and strokes had lowered by a fifth when used alone, or by 20% when taken in combination with other regular medication.
Now, other experts are questioning whether it can be used to treat erectile problems too, though it’s currently quite a murky picture. Dr Lawrence, a GP at the UK Care Guide, told The Mirror: “In my experience, it has not historically been directly linked to treating erectile dysfunction (ED). However, considering its impact on metabolic factors and cardiovascular health, it could potentially, and indirectly, benefit those with ED. I am not aware of any direct scientific evidence, linking Ozempic to the treatment of erectile dysfunction.”
Viagra – the super drug used to treat erectile dysfunctions – largely relies on a key chemical called sildenafil to do the work. Initially, this was invented to treat high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, with its erectile benefits discovered in a happy accident.
Although it appears that Ozempic can reduce cardiovascular risks in a similar way, its chemical content is entirely different to Viagra, relying predominantly on semaglutide. In fact, Ozempic currently labels sexual dysfunction as a potential side effect of taking it, but the data isn’t robust enough to know its true impact.
Dr Gareth Nye, a senior lecturer at Chester Medical School, told The Mirror: “Based on a study from this year, males taking semaglutide who are not diabetic saw erectile dysfunction in 1.42% of people compared with 0.14% in normal population. They also saw an increase of over double in rates of hypogonadism, which is a reduction in the release of hormones from the testicles.
“Currently, there is no explanation as to why this is occurring. My best [estimate] is that semaglutide is impact smaller blood vessel seen in the penis and ultimately lead to erections.”
Like many drugs, Ozempic has undergone various, rigorous clinical tests to identify its key risks and long-term side effects. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are predominantly included in this, alongside more serious changes in vision and pancreas inflammation.
Others have also raised concern over ‘Ozempic babies’, with scientists warning that weight-loss jabs could be linked to an increased risk of miscarriages and birth defects. So, taking the drug for untested purposes is completely discouraged in the interest of personal health.
Dr Lawrence continued: “Having dealt with various diabetes medications, I can say that Ozempic has undergone rigorous clinical trials prior to its approval. However, like with all medications, long-term risks and benefits can only be fully understood after prolonged use in a broader population. Continuous post-marketing surveillance is crucial to gather more extensive data
“Patients should have ongoing consultations with their GP to adjust their treatment as necessary and ensure they are achieving the desired outcomes without having to deal with any adverse or manageable effects.”
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