Can Ozempic Treat Arthritis Related Knee-Pain ? New Study Say Yes

As Ozempic continues to trigger controversy due to its use as a weight loss drug, research has found that semaglutide injections can reduce knee pain caused by obesity-related arthritis. This could, in turn, make everyday activities like walking easier for arthritis patients. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a class of drugs that helps regulate blood sugar, control appetite, and promote weight loss. Ozempic is one of the forms of this drug.

Trial Showed Significant Pain Relief In Participants

The recent trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine examined the effects of semaglutide on obesity-related pain. Approximately 400 participants from 11 countries were given either weekly semaglutide injections or a placebo, along with advice on healthy eating and exercise. Initially, participants reported an average pain score of 71 out of 100, reflecting considerable discomfort when walking. After 68 weeks, those who received semaglutide experienced an average pain reduction of 42 points, significantly higher than the 28-point decrease observed in the placebo group. The findings suggest that semaglutide could offer notable pain relief for individuals with obesity, improving mobility and quality of life.

The researchers concluded that the drug's pain relief was due to its anti-inflammatory properties combined with weight loss. As a person loses weight, the strain on their knees reduces considerably. Dr Henning Bliddal, a rheumatologist who co-led the trial, noted that the treatment was so effective that some participants no longer qualified for the study due to reduced pain levels.

Semaglutide And Its Side Effects

Semaglutide, marketed under the brand name Ozempic, is primarily an antidiabetic medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It is also an anti-obesity drug used for long-term weight management. While it can be taken as a subcutaneous injection or orally, it has significant side effects. It primarily impacts your gastrointestinal tract and its side effects include constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and fatigue amongst others.

Arthritis is a common health condition that causes joint inflammation, pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement in people. It is a cluster of auto-immune diseases, which means that our body recognizes ourselves as "foreign" and hence attacks itself.

In this case, a person feels inflammation in the joints, which leads to various symptoms like:

1. Joint Pain: Persistent pain in the affected joints, which may worsen with movement or after periods of inactivity.

2. Stiffness: Reduced flexibility and stiffness, especially noticeable in the morning or after sitting for long periods.

3. Swelling: Inflammation in the joints can cause noticeable swelling and warmth in the affected areas.

4. Redness: Skin over the affected joint may appear red and feel warm to the touch.

5. Decreased Range of Motion: Difficulty moving the joint through its full range of motion.

6. Fatigue: General tiredness or a feeling of low energy, which can accompany joint pain.

7. Nodules: Hard lumps may form under the skin near the affected joints in some types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis.