Ozempic study shows it can ease severe knee pain alongside its weight loss benefits!

The entire world is talking about Ozempic, its ability to aid weight loss having made it a favourite amongst individuals across all age groups. But this fairly new diabetes drug seems to have a few more tricks up its sleeve.

New research has found that Ozempic (or semaglutide), already a staple in diabetes and weight-loss treatments, might offer significant relief for knee osteoarthritis! A recent phase 3 clinical trial led by an international research team showed that a weekly dose of 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide outperformed placebo treatments in relieving knee pain, supporting weight loss and improving physical activity levels for people with knee osteoarthritis.

Knee osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, occurs when the protective cartilage in the knee joint wears down, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Obesity is a major risk factor for this condition, and weight loss has been shown to alleviate symptoms. Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), works by mimicking the body's natural satiety hormone, GLP-1, thereby reducing appetite and promoting weight loss.

Additionally, the drug has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce immune system overreactions, curbing swelling and tissue damage, which may explain its effectiveness in alleviating knee pain.
The trial results were impressive: participants who took semaglutide lost, on average, 13.7 percent of their body weight compared to 3.2 percent for those on the placebo. Pain scores also dropped significantly more in the semaglutide group—by 41.7 points compared to 27.5 points on a scale from 0 to 96.

Rheumatologist Henning Bliddal from Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark, highlighted the striking impact, noting that some participants experienced such significant pain relief that they could no longer participate in the study.

While these findings offer hope, there are some important considerations. The study received partial funding from Novo Nordisk, semaglutide’s manufacturer, and there was no verification of participants’ adherence to recommended diet and exercise routines. Moreover, semaglutide is expensive, and weight can return if the drug is discontinued.

However, for individuals suffering from knee osteoarthritis, the prospect of a drug that can alleviate pain, promote weight loss, and improve physical function is truly exciting. As further research is conducted, we may soon see semaglutide emerge as a valuable tool in the management of this debilitating condition.