There has been a lot of excitement since the launch. Not only is the drug extremely effective (people lose about 15 percent of their body weight in a year), it also appears to have many benefits beyond just weight loss.

Researchers looked at the health records of 17 million Americans with obesity and determined that between 2022 and 2023, rates of bariatric surgeries dropped by 25%, while prescriptions for weight-loss drugs more than doubled.

Weight loss and diabetes drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound are seen as game-changers for obesity and weight management but for many people, there are still questions around side effects, accessibility and results.

A special event is aimed at answering questions and giving local residents the best information about those medications. Franciscan Health will host a discussion on cardiometabolic health from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at The Sycamore at Mallow Run Winery, 7070 N. Whiteland Road, Bargersville.

"For healthcare providers, these findings suggest that anti-obesity medications may offer dual benefits," one doctor reports of the research.

From constipation to muscle loss, the side effects of some weight loss and diabetes medications can be daunting to patients. CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at why these effects occur, and gives some tips on how to keep them in check.

Medically reviewed by Danielle Weiss, MD After losing extra pounds on Ozempic (semaglutide), some are finding themselves dealing with an unexpected issue, what's become known as "Ozempic breasts." This possible side effect of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist medication users like Ozempic,

A new, better Ozempic? Scientists from the University of Copenhagen say they have developed a drug that decreases appetite while increasing calorie burning — without any signs of nausea. “While GLP-1-based therapies have revolutionized patient care for obesity and Type 2 diabetes,