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Doctors have warned that popular weight-loss drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovi, may pose a risk to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disease that gradually destroys motor neurons.
Dr. Jensi Andrews, director of the ALS Center at New York University, said that the reason for this is due to the mechanism of action of these drugs themselves, which relies on rapid weight loss, a mechanism that may conflict with the biological needs of patients with neuromuscular disorders and accelerate the deterioration of their health.
Andrews explained that GLP-1 drugs have been highly successful in treating diabetes and obesity, two widespread health problems, and have also been linked to additional benefits such as reducing heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and addiction. However, she emphasized that the clinical guidelines are quite different when dealing with ALS, where patients are typically advised to maintain or even gain weight, as any calorie deficit can accelerate disease progression.
To underscore these risks, the doctor cited a 2025 case report published in a specialized medical journal about a 52-year-old patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and type 2 diabetes who was prescribed semaglutide. Within just three months, the patient lost 11.3 kilograms (42 pounds) and simultaneously experienced a sudden and severe decline in her bodily functions, far exceeding the normal rate of disease progression. However, after discontinuing the medication on medical advice, her condition stabilized and the decline returned to its usual slow rate.
Andrews noted that this case, along with previous studies on ALS patients with diabetes, provides increasing evidence that doctors need to be extremely careful when prescribing these drugs to this group of patients.
For its part, Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovi, affirmed that it prioritizes patient safety and takes all reports of side effects seriously. However, it noted that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases are not listed among the warnings or adverse effects in the product information leaflets.
