A common skin condition, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), may benefit from Ozempic, a medication primarily used for diabetes and weight loss. HS is an inflammatory disorder that affects about 1 in 100 people and is closely linked to obesity.
Current treatments for HS include weight loss, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, surgery, and laser therapy. New research suggests that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, could also be effective.
In a recent study, 30 obese patients with varying degrees of HS received weekly doses of semaglutide for approximately eight months. Participants lost an average of 13 pounds, improved their blood sugar levels, and experienced fewer flare-ups. The frequency of these episodes decreased from once every 8.5 weeks to once every 12 weeks.
These findings were presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology conference in Amsterdam. Dr. Daniel Lyons, the lead researcher from St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin, stated, “Our findings suggest that semaglutide, even at modest doses, can offer substantial benefits in managing HS.” He emphasized the dual impact of the drug on weight loss and HS flare-ups, enhancing patients’ quality of life.
Dr. Lyons noted that larger studies are necessary to confirm these results and explore the effects of higher doses of semaglutide. He hopes this preliminary data will encourage dermatologists to consider weight loss medications alongside existing HS treatments and inspire further research in this area.
Ozempic was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2017 for treating Type 2 diabetes in adults and Wegovy in 2021 for weight loss. Since then, researchers have been investigating other potential uses for Ozempic and similar drugs, including their effects on substance abuse and heart disease.
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