Novo Nordisk's Weight Loss Drugs Ozempic, Wegovy Show Promise For Diabetic Patients Undergoing Hip Replacement

Preliminary findings presented at an orthopedic surgeons’ meeting on Monday indicate that new drugs designed for diabetes and weight loss could benefit patients undergoing hip replacement. 

In a comprehensive study focusing on using Novo Nordisk A/S’s NVO Ozempic (semaglutide), prescribed for diabetes, researchers observed a significant 44% reduction in the likelihood of post-implantation joint infections. 

The study, conducted at a New York City hospital, involved 9,465 diabetic patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty, with 1,653 taking Ozempic.

Patients on Ozempic also exhibited a 32% decrease in the odds of hospital readmission, with no associated rise in postoperative complications. 

Most subjects also grappled with obesity, as highlighted by study leader Dr. Matthew Magruder from Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn.

Another study further supports the safety of semaglutide for hip replacement patients, examining 1,232 individuals with obesity who underwent the procedure, with half prescribed Wegovy, prescribed for weight loss. 

The research found that Wegovy, which also contains semaglutide, did not elevate the risk of postoperative problems, including infections, dislocations, reoperations, or complications related to the lungs, heart, or mortality.

Despite these positive indications, both studies lack information on the duration of Ozempic or Wegovy use before surgery. 

Reuters highlighted that neither study received commercial funding nor definitively established the safety or protective benefits of semaglutide and similar GLP-1 agonist drugs for these patients.

Dr. Magruder emphasized the need for robust, prospective, randomized controlled trials before conclusively recommending the initiation of GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide before total hip replacement. 

A comprehensive U.S. study revealed that the use of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy is not associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts. 

The study was funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and published in ‘Nature.’ It analyzed electronic medical record data from over 1.8 million patients. 

In August last year, Novo Nordisk released the headline results from the SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial, better than the 15-17% expected by investors and analysts.

The trial achieved its primary objective by demonstrating a statistically significant and superior reduction in MACE (defined as cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke) of 20% for people treated with semaglutide 2.4 mg compared to placebo. 

Price Action: NVO shares are down 0.68% at $120.37 during the premarket session on the last check Monday.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Image By Natalia Varlei On Shutterstock