Ozempic and other semaglutide medications have skyrocketed in popularity as weight-loss aids, with prescriptions surging by over 300% in the past year alone. Developed as a treatment for managing Type 2 diabetes,

Recent findings indicate that widely used weight-loss medications might lead to muscle loss, including vital heart muscle, potentially leading to serious health complications over time. Experts call for more research and a cautious approach to using these drugs,

Some outcomes, like reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and increased chance of nausea, were expected. But others took researchers by surprise.

The new treatment targets gut hormone GLP-1 but also mimics amylin, a hormone released by the pancreas that suppresses hunger.

Federal officials are targeting the blockbuster drugs as part of their ongoing initiative to lower drug costs.

Ozempic, the blockbuster GLP-1 drug that was originally approved to treat type 2 diabetes, has now also been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to reduce certain risks associated with chronic kidney disease,

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved Ozempic to reduce the risk of serious complications in people who have both Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease,

Regulators have approved the drug as a treatment for weight loss, Type 2 diabetes and lowering the risk of heart attacks and strokes.