Ozempic, Mounjaro Aid Type 1 Diabetes Patients in Blood Sugar Control and Weight Loss

Researchers have discovered that the medications Ozempic and Mounjaro, initially approved for type 2 diabetes, also show promise in helping individuals with type 1 diabetes manage their weight and blood sugar levels. This new study was unveiled at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting in Madrid.

The study evaluated overweight or obese type 1 diabetics who were administered Mounjaro and found a reduction in their daily insulin requirements. Furthermore, both Ozempic and Mounjaro were effective in promoting weight loss, which subsequently improved blood sugar control. These drugs aid the body by increasing insulin production when necessary—a function that does not benefit type 1 diabetics who cannot produce insulin. However, they also decelerate digestion and decrease glucose production in the liver, mechanisms that do assist some type 1 diabetics in managing blood sugar levels.

Janet Snell-Bergeon, a professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the lead researcher, stated that the mechanisms through which semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes could also be relevant for type 1 diabetes. The study analyzed medical records of 100 adults with type 1 diabetes, with half of the participants using Ozempic and the other half using Mounjaro. Both medications led to significant weight loss, with type 1 diabetics losing an average of 9% of their body weight on Ozempic and over 21% on Mounjaro.

The results were notable: 77% of Ozempic users and 93% of Mounjaro users lost at least 5% of their body weight, compared to just 14% in a control group that did not take either drug. Furthermore, 47% of Ozempic users and 87% of Mounjaro users managed to lose at least 10% of their body weight, an achievement not reached by anyone in the control group. Snell-Bergeon pointed out that the weight loss observed in this study mirrors findings from other studies on these drugs and could lower risks associated with obesity, such as heart disease and insulin resistance.

For those using Mounjaro, the weight loss corresponded to an 18% reduction in their daily insulin intake, indicating an improvement in insulin resistance. These findings suggest that Ozempic and Mounjaro can help type 1 diabetics regulate their blood sugar levels effectively. Snell-Bergeon emphasized that the significant weight loss and improved blood sugar control achieved by these patients could mitigate the risks of obesity-related and diabetes-related complications, including heart disease, as well as eye, nerve, and kidney issues.

She suggested that these medications could be a valuable supplement to insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes. However, she also noted the need for larger, prospective trials to thoroughly assess the safety and effectiveness of these drugs for type 1 diabetics who are overweight or obese.

The findings presented at the medical meeting are considered preliminary until they are published in a peer-reviewed journal.