Research finds: Novo Nordisk's old weight-loss drug poses risks to bone health

Popular weight-loss drugs may lead to osteoporosis in the human body?

The latest medical research has raised concerns about the side effects of popular weight-loss drugs. On June 25th, Eastern Time, according to a study published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" (JAMA), the old version of the weight-loss drug Saxenda produced by Novo Nordisk AS may cause a decrease in bone density in the hips, spine, and forearms of users.

Although the study did not involve the company's new weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Zepbound, the lead author of the study, Signe Sorenson Torekov from the University of Copenhagen, stated that given the more significant weight-loss effects of these new drugs, this likely means that the impact on bone density loss may be similar or even greater.

Furthermore, the study results released on Tuesday were a new analysis of a study first published in 2021. The Tuesday study tracked 195 obese patients who received treatment with Saxenda, exercise, or a combination of both. The study found that in the group of patients who received both Saxenda treatment and exercise, bone density was maintained, providing a potential solution for some patients. However, this is not friendly to the elderly population, as the elderly may lack both the willingness and ability to adhere to the high-intensity exercise programs necessary to maintain bone strength.

With the popularity of weight-loss drugs, the public is increasingly concerned about the potential side effects of these drugs, including muscle loss and osteoporosis. Weight loss induced by drugs often accompanies reduced calorie intake and hormonal changes, leading to decreased bone density and increasing the risk of severe fractures of the hips, spine, and wrists, especially in postmenopausal women and the elderly. Therefore, pharmaceutical companies such as Novo Nordisk AS and Li Auto are working to address these side effects.

John Batsis, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, pointed out that fractures may not only increase the disease burden on patients but may also lead to an increase in mortality, as well as functional impairment and disability. Any form of significant weight loss, whether through surgery, medication, or other means, commonly results in a decrease in bone density. However, a barrier for patients using weight-loss drugs is that medical insurance typically does not cover bone health testing.

Furthermore, Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician-scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital, noted that there is currently a lack of clear guidelines for monitoring patients' bone health, while patients undergoing weight-loss surgery routinely undergo bone and muscle loss testing.

Moreover, the issue of bone loss may not have received enough attention because the process spans a longer period of time. Kristen Beavers, an associate professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Wake Forest University, stated that unlike muscle loss, which can be detected within a few weeks, the bone turnover cycle requires four to six months, significantly lengthening the observation period for bone loss research. Beavers also emphasized that proper dietary measures, such as ensuring an adequate intake of calcium, protein, and vitamin D, are crucial for maintaining musculoskeletal health