Simply 9% of older adults age 65 and up say they’ve taken GLP-1 medication like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, in line with latest information from KFF Well being — and just one% mentioned they take the medicines only for weight-loss functions.
Some medical doctors are recommending that extra adults in these older age teams incorporate the medication as a way of improved health and longevity.
“As our our bodies age, we have now an elevated probability of growing medical issues,” Dr. Jennie Stanford, an weight problems drugs doctor in Pennsylvania and medical contributor for Drugwatch, instructed Fox Information Digital.
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Widespread issues in sufferers age 65 and older embrace diabetes mellitus, heart problems, metabolic syndrome, cancers and dementia, amongst others, in line with the physician.
Some medical doctors are recommending that extra adults in older age teams incorporate the medication as a way of enhancing their well being and longevity. (iStock)
“GLP-1 receptor agonists (like Ozempic) have been proven to not solely be efficient in treating diabetes, lowering heart problems danger and selling weight reduction, but additionally in doubtlessly lowering the dangers of dementia and obesity-associated cancers,” Stanford mentioned.
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity physician, refers to weight problems as a “gateway illness” — significantly in older adults.
“Weight problems can result in quite a few critical well being circumstances, together with most cancers, diabetes, coronary artery illness, and even neurodegenerative ailments like Alzheimer’s,” he instructed Fox Information Digital.Â
“Managing weight is not only about look — it’s about considerably enhancing total well being and high quality of life by concentrating on obesity as a major risk factor for age-related ailments, together with infections resembling COVID-19.”
Advantages of Ozempic for adults 65 and older
Ozempic and Wegovy provide “promising advantages” for weight administration throughout all age teams, Osborn mentioned.
For seniors, he mentioned, the advantages of GLP-1 medicines prolong far past simply shedding kilos.
Seniors taking these medicines ought to have interaction in power coaching and enhance their protein consumption to assist muscle well being, a health care provider really useful. (iStock)
“Weight loss can result in elevated mobility, higher stability and a diminished danger of falls, that are main considerations as we age,” Osborn famous.Â
“By losing a few pounds, older adults can regain the power to maneuver extra freely, which may imply the distinction between strolling independently, needing a cane or wheelchair, or struggling a deadly head damage from a fall.”
As a trauma-dedicated neurosurgeon, Osborn mentioned that falls comprise the vast majority of the middle-of-the-night cellphone calls he receives — a majority of them involving the senior inhabitants.
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“The newfound mobility [from losing weight] can enhance temper, improve social interactions and enhance total well being, doubtlessly saving lives,” he mentioned.
Simply 9% of older adults age 65 and older say they’ve taken GLP-1 medication like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.
Lowering extra weight also can alleviate the pressure on joints, decreasing pain and doubtlessly delaying and even avoiding the necessity for joint substitute surgical procedures, Osborn famous — “that are dangerous procedures for aged people, who usually have a number of medical circumstances.”
Managing weight problems also can considerably decrease the danger of growing or worsening circumstances like sort 2 diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s, in line with the physician.
“These circumstances are sometimes intertwined, with weight problems serving as a serious danger issue,” he instructed Fox Information Digital.Â
“By addressing weight problems early on — with GLP-1 agonists — we will take a proactive step in stopping these life-altering ailments.”
Limitations for seniors to entry Ozempic
Regardless of the clear advantages, it could generally be troublesome for older adults to entry Ozempic and comparable medicines — in lots of circumstances as a consequence of price.Â
Ozempic and Wegovy provide “promising advantages” for weight administration throughout all age teams, a health care provider mentioned. (iStock)
“Medicare and comparable insurances usually don’t cowl them for the indication of weight reduction, so sufferers will need to have a analysis of type 2 diabetes mellitus to be eligible for insurance coverage protection for medicines like Ozempic,” Stanford instructed Fox Information Digital.
This monetary barrier can forestall many seniors from beginning or persevering with therapy, particularly after they flip 65 and lose different types of insurance coverage protection, Osborn has skilled.
Dangers or concerns for seniorsÂ
Sufferers who’re older than 65 can also be at a better danger of hostile results of GLP-1 receptor agonists, Stanford identified.Â
“Kidney dysfunction, danger of hypoglycemia, remedy interactions and different uncomfortable side effects could happen extra incessantly and require shut monitoring,” she mentioned.
Seniors also needs to remember that whereas GLP-1 medicines may also help scale back fats, they will additionally result in muscle loss or sarcopenia, Osborn famous.
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“Sustaining muscle mass is essential as we age, as a result of it helps forestall frailty and reduces the danger of falls and fractures,” he warned.
Seniors taking these medicines ought to have interaction in strength training and enhance their protein consumption to assist muscle well being, Osborn really useful.
The state of affairs may be extra advanced for older adults who’re on a number of medicines, which will increase the danger of drug interactions, medical doctors say. (iStock)
In some circumstances, hormone substitute remedy could also be useful in sustaining or bolstering muscle mass.
The state of affairs may be extra advanced for older adults who’re on a number of medicines, which will increase the danger of drug interactions, in line with Osborn.
“For instance, GLP-1s can lower urge for food, doubtlessly resulting in dehydration, particularly if the particular person is already taking diuretics for circumstances like high blood pressure,” he mentioned.Â
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“So, one needs to be extraordinarily cautious, as the vast majority of falls within the senior inhabitants are because of the harmful mixture of over-medication and dehydration.”
To fight dehydration, Osborn recommends aiming for a gallon of electrolyte-laden water per day.Â
“Since GLP-1 agonists additionally mood thirst, sufferers should drink recurrently all through the day — even after they’re not thirsty,” he added.
‘Holistic mindset’
Presently, semaglutide (the remedy in Ozempic) is authorised just for type 2 diabetes and weight problems therapy, though proof exhibits that it could scale back the danger of coronary heart illness, Stanford famous.Â
“Extra high-quality proof helps elevated research for a broader use of semaglutide and different GLP-1 receptor agonists, that are more likely to information our use of those medicines within the coming years,” she mentioned.
“Combining GLP-1 medicines with life-style modifications, resembling common train and a balanced eating regimen, can amplify the advantages.”
Osborn urges seniors to strategy weight reduction with a “holistic mindset.”
“Combining GLP-1 medicines with life-style modifications, resembling common train and a balanced diet, can amplify the advantages,” he mentioned.Â
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“Working intently with a well being care group, together with a dietitian and presumably a bodily therapist, can make sure that weight reduction is achieved safely and sustainably.”
Whereas there are dangers concerned with any remedy, Osborn mentioned he believes they’re “far outweighed” by the potential advantages of GLP-1 agonists.
“Working intently with a well being care group, together with a dietitian and presumably a bodily therapist, can make sure that weight reduction is achieved safely and sustainably,” a health care provider mentioned. (iStock)
The physician added, “They’re the ‘holy grail’ of modern-day drugs and can seemingly show to have an analogous influence on global health as the arrival of antibiotics.”
Novo Nordisk, the corporate that makes Ozempic and Wegovy, mentioned that it’s “critically vital” for the correct sufferers to get the correct therapy.
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“We consider the simplest approach for seniors to have the ability to entry and afford weight problems care is to make sure that GLP-1 medicines are lined by authorities and industrial insurance coverage,” an organization spokesperson instructed Fox Information Digital by way of e-mail.Â
“Collaboration throughout the health care system is vital to educating and broadening protection of those medicines.”
Novo Nordisk, the corporate that makes Ozempic and Wegovy, mentioned that it’s “critically vital” for the correct sufferers to get the correct therapy. (REUTERS/Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen/File Picture)
Federal staff have protection by their well being plans, and the VA and DOD additionally present protection, Novo Nordisk identified.
“Medicaid is expanding protection on a state-by-state foundation, however sadly, Medicare is the one outlier,” the spokesperson mentioned.
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“It’s time seniors are given the identical advantages as the manager department and legislative department staff who handle their program.”
The corporate has pledged to proceed its efforts to assist make sure that seniors dwelling with weight problems can entry protection.