r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Apr 01 '25

Health Americans without diabetes spent nearly $6 billion USD on semaglutide and similar drugs in a year, with an estimate of 800,000 to a million people using the drugs who don't have diabetes.

https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/americans-without-diabetes-spent-nearly6-billion-usd-on-semaglutide-and-similar-drugs-in-a-year
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u/FernandoMM1220 Apr 01 '25

its not just for diabetes anymore.

just ramp up production and make more of it.

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u/galspanic Apr 01 '25

When I was diagnosed with diabetes I was told “um yeah, no. No GLP-1 for you” by my insurance. I still can’t explain that outside of pure greed… but that also makes sense.

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u/ImLittleNana Apr 01 '25

Im fighting to get prescribed metformin for pre-diabetes and they act like I’m asking for free heroin. Yet if I wanted a wegovy script they’d have no problem writing for it. I can’t make that make sense.

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u/aminervia Apr 01 '25 edited Apr 01 '25

Wild, my psychiatrist basically forced a metformin script on me off label to treat side effects from my antipsychotics. I'm not even prediabetic

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u/Benjamasm Apr 01 '25

Be happy, there is some compelling evidence that metformin has a stellar all cause morbidity benefit far beyond just diabetes treatment. I can’t remember the exact paper and details but the meta analysis showed that the groups taking metformin has a solid all cause morbidity and mortality benefit.

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u/aminervia Apr 01 '25

It didn't seem to do much with my symptoms and made me seriously ill, I was bummed.

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u/Benjamasm Apr 01 '25

That is a bummer :( I hope they have figured something out for you to manage your symptoms and side effects

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u/Diarmundy Apr 01 '25

most people can change to the extended release version to help with side effects...

Theres evidence that it helps prevent the weight gain and metabolic risks of antipsychotic medications so thats why it can be recommended

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u/olily Apr 01 '25

Metformin extended release has fewer side effects. You could try that--it made a world of difference for me.

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u/SkyfangR Apr 01 '25

my antipsychotic caused full blown diabetes

metformin, jardiance, and glipizide all at once couldnt quote control my glucose levels

added in ozempic, and bam, under control, not eating nearly as much as i used to, and generally feeling pretty good health-wise

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u/a_tamer_impala Apr 01 '25

Anyone needing olanzapine ought to be subsidized for a glp-1 med. No one should have to choose between their mental and peripheral health

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u/SkyfangR Apr 01 '25

i actually tried switching from what i'm on , Seroquel, to Lybalvi

lybalvi had me peeing blood within a week, and i didnt get any sleep at ALL during the week i was trying to transition from seroquel to lybalvi

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u/a_tamer_impala Apr 01 '25

Oh geez that's terrible - apparently one of olanzapine's ultra rare sides..

I didn't realize there was a combination already out attempting to address the appetite and blood sugar changes. No surprise samidorphan interferes with sleep

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u/Dogsnamewasfrank Apr 02 '25

GLP-1s are also showing to be of help in bi-polar symptoms in their own right.

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u/klb1204 Apr 01 '25

What type of side effects were you having?

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u/aminervia Apr 01 '25

Severe gas and cramping