[V.Narayan]

I wonder what impact these wonder drugs have on our kidneys and on the risk of cancer. I suspect the true answer {as opposed to the official one} is not going to be a happy one!

Replacing a moderate degree of self discipline with pharmaceuticals sounds scary.

Social media is feeding our frenzy for attention 24/7 . Once you have achieved fame and wealth next step is to be worshipped as a fountain of wisdom. That is why we find the celebrity CEOs, movie stars, etc mouthing away on topics they know tiddlywinks about.

What about a pharma pill that gives me my daily dose of dopamine so I never need to get onto social media!!!:-)

[am1m]

Originally Posted by ValarMorghulis

I have given multiple references to Lancet and other reputed journals. What he is talking about (the medical aspects) at least, for now, is backed by research.

I am not doubting his sincerity. I am sure he wrote the blog post with good intentions and to make people aware of this development.

I come from a family of doctors and what they always complain about is us IT guys (I'm one too!) as patients, reading something online and then expecting the human body to respond the same way a computer system does. Same input, same output. (I am in no way saying that as patients we shouldn't be better informed or we should not question doctors, that is our right!)

With research papers, the scientists involved take great care to not state specific conclusions, or they commit to very narrow ones, just staying within the parameters of the study. Unless it is a very long term study with thousands of participants, which usually take decades.

It still requires a doctor with a lot of experience to weigh all the aspects and make specific recommendations based on each individual's medical history. Do they get it right each time? No. But I'd rather go with a medical professional's opinion than a non-medical one.

So, interpreting conclusions like this chap has done, this early, about it being a miracle or possible miracle drug, is fine for a personal/company blog and is fine for us discussing on a forum. But when several major news outlets are printing his blog as news, it becomes more serious.

(And I don't know about you guys, but I don't like being an unwitting, unpaid participant in a tech honcho's/company's PR campaign.)

[ValarMorghulis]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

I wonder what impact these wonder drugs have on our kidneys and on the risk of cancer...

GLP-1 drugs have an interesting effect on cancer.

Current research from reputable journals indicates that GLP-1 receptor agonists do not significantly increase the risk of several cancers and may offer protective benefits against certain types. However, ongoing studies are essential to fully understand their long-term effects.

Thyroid, Pancreatic, Breast and Gastrointestinal Cancer: The findings indicated no significant increase in cancer incidence among GLP-1 RA users.

Prostate, Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Liver Cancer), and Colorectal Cancer: Studies suggest a potential risk reduction of cancer among GLP-1 RA users.

Links:
Thyroid Cancer
Breast Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Prostrate Cancer
Liver Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer

[Satkaj]

We are systematically driven towards “ POP A PILL, CURE EVERYTHING “ kind of western culture. You are only reading what they want you to read and you are also believing what they want us to believe by putting forward a selective research. Remember anti Covid drug days? Till date we are struggling to understand side effects of these vaccines.

I am not demeaning the drug but I am worried about it’s usage by any random person since it will be available off the shelves. As a cancer patient I have realised that even doctors take long to mature and understand each body type to treat patients accordingly.

Any supplement will only give illusion of cure. Only time will tell the truth.

[Simple_car]

Members,

To those who are considering these medicines, for whatever reason, keep the following factors in mind:

1. These class of medications were primarily developed for treatment of T2DM. These class are considered generally safe for T2DM.

2. The dose used for weight loss is nearly double compared to T2DM treatment (for e.g. in T2DM patients, going beyond 5 mg dose does not give a significantly better response... but for obesity, the starting dose recommended is 5 mg... ideally 10 - 15 mg for tirzepatide which is being launched).

3. The side effects are more common at the higher doses. These effects are considered 'mild' but are definitely affecting a lot many patients. Anecdotal reports and evidence suggest that it is severe enough that patients are ok to discontinue these medicines. There is also a debate on going that these effects may actually be proof that the medicines are working, but this argument will lead us into another tangent.

4. Most T2DM patients will be on other multiple medications, and it is expected that these drugs are going to lead to adjustments in the regimens of other medicines. The experience of Indian doctors in this regard is limited.

--

The biggest issue that I personally see with these medicines being used for obesity is the regain of weight as soon as you reduce the dose or stop them.

So the use of these drugs for obesity is limited at the moment, and must be carefully evaluated by the physician on a case-by-case basis. Those who are considering them should remember that lifestyle modifications (primarily food and exercise) are still the best treatments for obesity.


Thanks,
Simple_car

[PreludeSH]

Any drug has pros and cons and needs to be weighed against a particular condition. I would not take a drug just to control my weight. But it might be necessary for some people who might have some conditions due to overweight and might require a quick pill

But hope its not easy to prescribe or buy one without prescription. Ozempic has lot of side effects and most people don't even continue the course owing to that. This might have the same and might not become a wonder drug.

[amitoj]

What weight loss method exists as of today that lets you get rid of your excess weight permanently and lets you get back to your normal pre-weight-loss lifestyle without re-gaining weight?

Is the outrage simply because this is an easier method for weight loss?

[AMG Power]

Weight loss drugs have been around for sometime now.

In fact, the patent for such drugs is expiring in India in 2026 and you’ll get doses from alternate suppliers for as little as Rs 100 per day. That’s Rs 40,000 a year - cheaper than a gym subscription.

So if someone asked you how much are you willing to pay to lose 10 kgs in the next 4 months while eating everything to your heart’s content? Well…in about Rs 60,000/-, you’ll be down 10 kilos with no surgery, and you can eat all you want.

Because Ozempic’s substitute Mounjaro is finally coming to India and a week’s dose is going to be priced at around Rs 4000.

In about 8 weeks, you can lose 5 kgs, and in 16 weeks, you can lose 10 kgs.

These are GLP-1 drugs and they make you feel full and your body doesn’t feel like eating more after a few morsels thus forcing you into a calorie deficit with portion control winning over your weak self control.

Doctors say that the weight lost will be gained back once the medicines are stopped unless people start getting on a healthy diet.

A lot of folks might say a year’s dose of Rs 2 lakhs to help someone lose 15-20 kgs is a lot.

A new category of customer would be those who are looking for a match or need to lose weight for a wedding in a few months.

Ozempic costs about Rs 1 lakh a month in the US and is less than 20% the price in India.

You’ll see NRIs come to India not just to shop for lehngas but for their shots of weight loss as well.

The upcoming wedding season this year will see a lot of Ozempic / Mounjaro brides and grooms.

Here’s the real kicker though

For those who don’t want to put yourself through this, join the gym soon, because obesity and being overweight may soon be a sign of unaffordability and lower social status.

[Rangy62]

Mounjaro has been developed primarily for type 2 diabetes. I have been taking this injection for about 6 months now. Since my HBA1C was high and I was on max doses of metformins, I was given an option of going the insulin route or try Mounjaro. I can gladly say now my HBA1C has come down significantly and as far as losing weight, I have lost about 5 kgs. The insurance covers my medication and have no issues for the present. The cost of Mounjaro in UAE is AED 1740 irrespective of the mg dosage. Each injection last for 4 weeks as it is metered. The last I enquired the cost of Mounjaro in India in Feb was costing Rs60k. Will definitely not be able to spend that kind of amount for this injection.

[digitalnirvana]

Apologies if it has been mentioned already but I think the opening post loses sight of something very important. These are prescription drugs and to be sold under strict control.

They are not meant to be available willy nilly for everyone to consume. However I've been reading up on examples where celebrities have quite clearly used Ozempic or Mounjaro in India and have posted their motivational all natural hardworking fitness stories.

Lax control in India and flouting of rules is, in my opinion, the bigger challenge. Still I'm quite confident that the average person will not have access to, nor be able to afford these drugs.

The drugs mentioned are primarily for Type 2 Diabetes treatment and weight loss is a supplementary effect for these.

If one is not qualified for these drugs and wants to go specifically for Semaglutide for weight loss then Wegovy is a better option as it is available over the counter. But again it is costly and I do not see it having widespread adoption even if made available.

[ValarMorghulis]

Originally Posted by digitalnirvana

Apologies if it has been mentioned already but I think the opening post loses sight of something very important. These are prescription drugs and to be sold under strict control.

They are not meant to be available willy nilly for everyone to consume...

The opening post talks about second order effects of this drug on the society and whether this should be prescribed to folks suffering from other addictions like alcoholism, smoking etc.

No where does the opening post talk about consuming this willy nilly

[Raghu M]

A wise man once said - for every ill there is a pill but for every pill there is an ill! This sure sounds like the big businesses of diabetes, blood pressure and cancer. We will not cure you but treat you for lifetime. The cure is in our hands, moving to better lifestyle and eating practices. The more we gorge on packed food, the more we are prone to these issues. I'd say, weight loss is possible only through proper diet and exercise habits. If that's being served in a spa or through medicines, then it will have it's side effects - period!

[volkman10]

Sign of our times - Quick fixes, does it last?




Link:

[GTO]

Someone close to me was diagnosed for Type 2 Diabetes, and both my parents had it too. It's easy to scream "will power" for those who have it. But you know what's the first thing I did? I picked up the phone, called that person and said "this shot is made for you".

Will power works if you were able to lose weight in 2 - 5 years of trying. If you have been overweight in the long term however, it means that magical will power isn't working. I'd rather he takes this shot than lives with high sugar, excess weight and overeating for the rest of his life.

Let's be more empathetic, guys. Yes, I do know a thing or two about will power. I've quit smoking (cold turkey) and lost 20 kilos of weight in the past.

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by amitoj

What weight loss method exists as of today that lets you get rid of your excess weight permanently and lets you get back to your normal pre-weight-loss lifestyle without re-gaining weight?

There used to be such a miracle weight loss drug called Flabolin (generic: fenfluramine) which was great for weight loss. It was banned worldwide due to certain negative side-effects, but is supposed to be still available clandestinely in India.