Popular weight-loss drugs effective in treating rare and painful skin condition, Irish researchers find
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Semaglutide, the substance found in popular weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, can also benefit a skin condition affecting 1% of the population, “exciting” new Irish research has found.
The first study to examine this use of the substance found significant benefits for managing hidradenitis suppurative (HS), which causes painful abscesses and scarring on the skin.
Dr Daniel Lyons, lead researcher from St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin, said their findings suggest even modest doses of semaglutide can offer “substantial benefits” in managing this condition.
“While the drug’s role in promoting weight-loss is well-established, what’s particularly exciting is its potential to also reduce the frequency of HS flare-ups, contributing to the notable improvements observed in patients’ quality of life,” he said.
He described the results as “highly encouraging” saying this “could represent a major breakthrough in HS treatment" for patients.
“Ultimately, we hope our preliminary data will encourage dermatologists to consider weight-loss medication as an adjunct to existing HS treatments and inspire further research in this area aimed at improving outcomes for people living with this challenging condition,” he said.
The study was presented on Wednesday during the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress 2024 in Amsterdam.
The team examined data from 30 obese patients with HS, mainly women with an average age of 42, who were treated with semaglutide between June 2020 and March 2023.
Being obese is one of the risk factors for HS, which tends to develop near the groin, bottom, breasts and armpits.
Among the health improvements identified was a drop in the frequency of HS flare-ups from an average of every 8.5 weeks to every 12 weeks.
A "clinically meaningful reduction” in Dermatology Life Quality Index scores was seen for one in three patients.
Patients also lost weight, with one in three losing 10kg during the study period.
Semaglutide is licensed in Ireland and Europe as a prescription-only treatment for type 2 diabetes but doctors can prescribe as a weight-loss treatment if appropriate.
Just last month, however manufacturer Novo Nordisk, along with the European Medicines Agency, warned again of shortages linked to increased demand for Ozempic.
The shortages, also affecting Ireland, are now expected to last until the end of this year. Doctors were advised to continue limiting the number of new patients on this treatment.
“In case Ozempic is not available for patients currently on treatment, patients should be safely switched to another injectable GLP-1 RA, or other suitable alternative, based on your clinical judgement and local guidelines," Novo Nordisk Ireland said.