Ozempic-like drugs likely effective at managing type 2 diabetes and obesity in children

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-09-16 01:00

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US researchers, looking through the available research on the efficacy and safety of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) - drugs that include Ozempic and Wegovy - for kids with obesity and /or type 2 diabetes, say the meds improve the glycaemic control of the users, as well as help reduce their weight and improve their heart and metabolic health. The team looked into 18 past trials that included over 1400 participants aged 6 to 17 years, and say the GLP-1 RAs significantly reduced blood sugar, fasting sugar, body weight, body mass index (BMI), and systolic blood pressure - the top number on a blood pressure score that measures how hard your heart pumps blood out. The team note that stomach issues were more common among the people taking the meds, but issues in mental health were no different than those not taking the drugs.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Pediatrics

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Florida, USA

Funder: This work was supported by the US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK133465).

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