A sweeping new study has taken a closer look at popular weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, revealing both important benefits and notable risks.

Researchers at Washington University examined health records from more than two million people with diabetes. They compared those receiving GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, with patients using older blood-sugar treatments.

The findings offer a mixed picture. On the positive side, people using these drugs had lower rates of stroke, heart attack and even dementia. Moreover, the study found reduced risks of substance misuse, seizures and several mental-health concerns.

However, the drugs were also linked to higher rates of nausea, vomiting and sleep problems. Users faced an 11 percent increased risk of arthritis and, most concerning, twice the risk of developing acute pancreatitis—a dangerous inflammation of the pancreas that can lead to infection or internal bleeding.

Although pancreatitis is rare, the researchers warned that its consequences can be severe. They urged doctors to monitor patients carefully, especially for digestive or kidney problems.

GLP-1 drugs work by slowing digestion and reducing appetite, which explains the significant weight loss many people experience. Their popularity has surged, with some surveys suggesting that one in eight American adults has tried them.

Deaths reported in connection with the medications remain under investigation, and no direct cause has been established. Still, the researchers emphasised that rapid adoption of these drugs makes continued monitoring essential.

Their conclusion was clear: these medications offer meaningful benefits but must be used with informed caution.