focus -WSS

focus

author：Wikipedia 2025-10-01 23:58:43 - browse：45

Jamy Ard (left) and Robert Lustig (right) on the 2023 STAT Breakthrough Summit stage -- coverage from STAT — Obesity experts Jamy Ard (left) and Robert Lustig speak at a panel during the 2023 STAT Breakthrough Summit. Sarah Gonzalez for STAT

Amid rising demand for drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro that can lead to significant weight loss, some obesity experts are concerned about the drugs’ costs — both to patients’ finances and to their health.

Speaking at a panel on new obesity treatments at the STAT Breakthrough Summit in San Francisco on Thursday, one expert cited a large clinical trial for Wegovy that showed that about 40% of the weight participants lost was lean mass. Side effects like nausea, vomiting, and a possible link to rare cases of pancreatitis also still plague this newest class of drugs, which imitate the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP) that helps people feel full.

“That’s what starvation does. You lose equal amounts of muscle and fat,” said Robert Lustig, emeritus professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. “If you’re a person 60 years old or over and you’re losing muscle, your risk of dying just went up exponentially. So we may be … robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Unlock this article by subscribing to STAT+ and enjoy your first 30 days free!

GET STARTED Log In

Previous article： Alkermes shareholders re
Next article： Why health workers in Gaza are injured or die at high rates

WSS

AbbVie CEO Gonzalez to step down after a decade fiercely defending Humira

FDA warns J&J's Abiomed: We will regulate your software

Will Ozempic

First Opinion Podcast: Long Covid needs a new approach

Beam Therapeutics to lay off 20% of its staff, re

UnitedHealth’s board chair also owns a personal investment firm

knowledge

focus

hotspot

Walensky prepares to leave CDC — and Congress — behind

New CMS data security rules will hurt Medicare, Medicaid research

Moonlake's readout produced a cash windfall. Risks remain

In 'major milestone,' FDA approves first cell therapy for solid tumors

United colonoscopy coverage change 'may cost lives,' doctors say

Weight loss drugs aren’t covered by Obamacare. That may change

Medicare proposal to cover medical devices draws a mixed reaction

Will Ozempic

After affirmative action ruling, medical educators look to 'holistic review'

STAT Summit: Michael J. Fox on progress in Parkinson's research

hotspot

Hospital price transparency does save money, advocate argues

Elevance, SCAN deals highlight health insurer acquisition scrutiny

Readout Newsletter: Bayer, Rapt Therapeutics, Sanofi shortage

STAT Summit: Michael J. Fox on progress in Parkinson's research

Why health workers in Gaza are injured or die at high rates

NIH confirmation hearing shows politicization of research

hotspot

knowledge

leisure time

Wikipedia