As a health and wellness company that sells a supplement, people are sometimes surprised when we write positively about medication. Health is a balancing act between diet, exercise, lifestyle and more. Medication and supplements can play a significant role in your healthy routine. It’s essential to talk to your doctor and make a plan that’s right for your goals. Medications are a helpful tool to reach your goal.
We have covered Semaglutide — sold as Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus — quite a bit. Recently, we wrote about the number of people who manage to keep weight off after they stop taking it. As it can help weight and blood sugar concerns, we know it interests our customers.
Ozempic can be expensive, and it isn’t suitable for everyone. But it does seem to have some benefits outside of blood sugar and weight loss support. It’s important to review your medications with your doctor during your physical to make sure your health plan is still on track. Ozempic is a weekly injection and might not fit your goals or lifestyle. There is no generic brand available yet. If it isn’t covered by insurance, it is expensive. However, it could be a good fit for you.
Two new studies examined how Ozempic impacts the outcome of hip replacement surgery. One study found that the drug didn’t make the surgery more dangerous. The other found that using Ozempic may improve the outcome of hip replacement surgery for some people.
In a study, more than 9,400 got hip replacements. More than 1,600 of the participants were on Ozempic. The drug was associated with 44 percent lower chances of developing an infection after surgery and 32 percent lower chances of needing to be readmitted to the hospital.
Neither of the two studies considered how long people have been taking the medication before surgery. They might have been on it for a very short time. And the studies are not conclusive. “At this time, we do not have enough evidence to definitely recommend starting [medications] like semaglutide prior to total hip replacement,” said lead researcher Dr. Matthew Magruder of Maimonides Medical Center. “We need high quality, prospective, randomized controlled trials to definitively make that recommendation.”
The research was released at a meeting for orthopedic surgeons. Perhaps, after more study, using Ozempic as a preventative drug could become part of some surgeries. However, right now, the big takeaway is that it appears that using the drug isn’t dangerous for people who require a hip replacement. It can be anxiety-provoking to worry about how different health factors may impact surgical outcomes. Knowing that Ozempic does not appear to worsen surgical outcomes could be comforting to people who already take the medication or are considering it as an option.
