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Ozempic, Wegovy Use Soars Among Type 1 Diabetics Despite Safety Concerns
By Archyde News Team
The off-label prescribing of drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound to individuals with type 1 diabetes has seen a notable surge in the last decade, according to a recent study. This trend is especially concerning because there is limited research on the safety and effectiveness of these medications for this specific condition.
GLP-1 receptor agonists, which include popular brand names such as Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Victoza, were initially designed to treat type 2 diabetes. This form of diabetes occurs when the body’s cells become resistant to insulin. These medications have also demonstrated effectiveness in promoting weight loss, managing sleep apnea, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in individuals without diabetes.
“We really need the clinical trial data dedicated for this type 1 diabetes population and see whether this is effective and safe in this population,”
Dr. Jung-Im Shin,epidemiologist at the Johns hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Though,it’s crucial to note that clinical trials for these drugs have specifically excluded individuals with type 1 diabetes. This is because type 1 diabetics are entirely dependent on external insulin to survive,as their bodies cannot produce enough of their own. Drug manufacturers feared that combining GLP-1 medications with insulin could increase the risk of severe hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar), a possibly life-threatening condition. Consequently, they were hesitant to conduct studies on this population.
The official medication labels for ozempic and Mounjaro, both commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes to manage blood sugar levels, explicitly state that these drugs are “not intended for use with type 1” diabetes.
Despite these warnings and the lack of supporting evidence,many physicians have started prescribing GLP-1 medications off-label to their type 1 diabetes patients,particularly those who are also obese. this emerging trend is reflected in the findings of the new study published in *Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism*.
Study Details and Key Findings
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University analyzed the medical records of over 200,000 individuals with type 1 diabetes spanning from 2008 to 2023. The data was divided into three-year intervals, starting from October 2008 to September 2011 and ending with October 2020 to September 2023.
The study revealed a significant increase in obesity rates among individuals with type 1 diabetes during this period. Among children aged 2 to 19, obesity rates rose from 18% to 26%. In adults aged 20 and older,the increase was from 30% to 38%.
The use of GLP-1 medications also experienced a dramatic surge. Among adults in the highest obesity category, approximately 4% were using GLP-1 medications in 2008. By 2023, this number had skyrocketed to 33% – an 800% increase.
| Age Group | obesity Rate (2008-2011) | Obesity Rate (2020-2023) | GLP-1 Use (highest Obesity, 2008) | GLP-1 Use (Highest Obesity, 2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children (2-19) | 18% | 26% | N/A | N/A |
| Adults (20+) | 30% | 38% | 4% | 33% |
Potential Benefits and Risks
Some individuals with type 1 diabetes report that GLP-1 drugs have significantly improved their blood sugar control. These medications can also aid in weight loss, which is often challenging for those who require insulin. Insulin promotes the storage of excess sugar as fat,making weight management difficult.
However,these positive outcomes are primarily
