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[HEALTH] · Germany, United States · 49 sources

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GLP-1 medications expand use in obesity and lifespan research

GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, continue to expand their clinical applications and reach. In Germany, medical experts are advocating for the approval of semaglutide for children and adolescents to combat rising obesity rates, noting that approximately two million minors in the country are overweight. The European Medicines Agency has already approved Liraglutide for children aged six and older, and Semaglutide for those twelve and older.

New delivery methods are also emerging, such as the oral semaglutide pill. While this offers an alternative to injections, medical professionals warn it is not a traditional appetite suppressant and requires strict adherence to usage rules. In the United States, usage of these drugs has surged, with Gallup data indicating that 11 percent of adults used a GLP-1 preparation by mid-2026.

Beyond weight loss, research suggests potential secondary benefits and risks. Studies indicate these medications may reduce cravings for alcohol and nicotine. Additionally, semaglutide has shown potential in increasing lifespan in mice. However, experts emphasize that the drugs do not change fundamental eating habits and warn that patients must maintain nutritional discipline to avoid plateaus.

Entities

Danica Chen · European Medicines Agency · German Obesity Society · Nature · Ozempic · Semaglutide · South African Society of Psychiatrists · Tirzepatide · University of California, Berkeley · University of Pennsylvania · Wegovy · Yufan Feng

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