Dublin, Ireland – New research out of St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, suggests that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, may be effective in managing the skin condition hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). This inflammatory disorder, which causes lesions, affects a significant portion of the population and is often linked with obesity. Patients with HS typically undergo a range of treatments, including weight loss interventions, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, surgical procedures, and laser therapy.
In a recent study conducted by Dr. Daniel Lyons and his team, 30 obese patients with HS were given weekly doses of semaglutide over a span of eight months. The results showed that participants experienced an average weight loss of 13 pounds, improved blood sugar levels, reduced inflammation in their bodies, and a decrease in the frequency of HS flare-ups. The frequency of these episodes decreased from once every 8 ½ weeks to once every 12 weeks on average.
The findings of this study were presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology conference in Amsterdam. Dr. Lyons emphasized the potential of semaglutide in managing HS, even at modest doses. He mentioned the drug’s established role in promoting weight loss and its exciting prospect of reducing the occurrence of HS flare-ups, ultimately leading to improvements in patients’ quality of life. Dr. Lyons underlined the need for larger trials to validate these initial findings and evaluate the effects of higher doses of semaglutide for HS treatment.
Following the approval of Ozempic in 2017 for Type 2 diabetes treatment and Wegovy in 2021 for adult weight loss by the US Food and Drug Administration, the medical community has been exploring additional applications for these drugs. Researchers are exploring the potential of Ozempic and similar medications in addressing various health conditions, such as substance abuse and heart disease. As the field of medicine continues to evolve, the promising results of studies like Dr. Lyon’s offer hope for improved treatments and outcomes for patients with challenging conditions like HS.