Every other month, researchers find new uses for GLP-1 agonist drugs like Mounjaro and Ozempic — now even as a treatment for substance abuse. This is a classic case of drug repurposing, a technique that saved lives during COVID-19.

GLP-1 agonists were originally developed for type 2 diabetes, then gained popularity as weight-loss jabs. Evidence now suggests they may also reduce addictive behavior and offer other health benefits.

Drug repurposing — using one drug for multiple conditions — is seen by some as a savvy way to capitalize on popular medications, while others view it as a cost-effective, time-efficient method to save lives.

The COVID-19 pandemic exemplified this: dexamethasone and baricitinib, both anti-inflammatory drugs, were repurposed to treat severe COVID. The UK's National Health Service reported that dexamethasone saved 22,000 lives in the UK and an estimated 1 million worldwide.

Following the pandemic, the European Commission planned to increase support for drug repurposing to find cancer treatments.

The universal health benefits of GLP-1 agonists are not surprising: by aiding weight loss and reducing addictive behavior, they lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and reduce strain on the body.

Drug repurposing often happens by accident or in desperate times. For instance, raloxifene, developed for osteoporosis, was found to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer by 76% in postmenopausal women.

Thalidomide, notorious for causing birth defects in the 1950s, was repurposed 60 years later and approved by the FDA for multiple myeloma.

Perhaps the most famous example is Viagra (sildenafil), originally developed for cardiovascular conditions but later used for erectile dysfunction. However, recent studies have linked it to abnormal heart rhythms.

The same caution applies to GLP-1 agonists: their true benefits and risks may only become apparent after years of use.

Source: www.dw.com