Red Cross urges blood donations in April
During National Volunteer Month in April, the American Red Cross asks donors to help keep the blood supply stable by making an appointment to give blood or platelets now, according to a news release.
Type O blood and platelets are especially needed to ensure hospitals are fully stocked with lifesaving blood products this spring.
The Red Cross depends on thousands of volunteer donors to collect more than 12,000 blood donations and about 3,000 platelet donations every single day. Blood drives and donation centers also depend on the generosity and valuable time of those who make it possible for the Red Cross to help people in need.
As spring travel and activities fill calendars, volunteer blood donations remain essential to critical medical care. Book a time to give blood or platelets now by visiting here or call 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
All who come to give now through April 30 will get an exclusive Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win a $5,000 prize. There will be three winners. For more information, visit here.
In May, all who come to give May 1-18 will get a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Plus, throughout May, those who come to give will be automatically entered to win a U.S. trip of choice for two. For details, visit here.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities April 17-May 5:
BUREAU COUNTY
4/17/2025: 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 316 S. Church Street
4/23/2025: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., La Moille High School, 801 S. Main
4/29/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., St Bede Academy Perino Science Center, 24 W. US HWY 6, Peru
5/2/2025: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Ladd Community Center, 303 S. Central Ave
CARROLL COUNTY
4/23/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Chadwick Fire Department, 210 Calvert Street, Route 40
HENRY COUNTY
4/17/2025: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Kewanee High School, 1211 East 3rd Street
4/18/2025: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Annawan Community Center, 314 N. State St
KNOX COUNTY
4/23/2025: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Knox Agri Center, 180 S. Soangetaha Rd.
LEE COUNTY
4/18/2025: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Kreider Services, 500 Anchor Rd
4/21/2025: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion, 1120 W. First St.
4/22/2025: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Dixon Sinnissippi Center, 325 Illinois 2
4/29/2025: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Amboy High School, 11 E. Hawley Street
5/1/2025: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Paul United Church of Christ, 2030 Plank Road
5/2/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Pilot Grove Bank, 516 North Main Street
MERCER COUNTY
4/30/2025: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Sherrard High School, 4701 176TH
OGLE COUNTY
4/28/2025: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Polo High School, 100 S. Union Ave.
PUTNAM COUNTY
4/21/2025: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., McNabb Fire Dept., 391 N. Rt. 89
ROCK ISLAND
4/25/2025: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mercado on Fifth, 423 12th St.
SCOTT COUNTY
4/30/2025: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Cunnick-Collins, 1200 E 39th St
WHITESIDE COUNTY
4/24/2025: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sterling High School, 1608 4th Ave.
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions here or use the Blood Donor App.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Business Upturn
6 hours ago
- Business Upturn
Investigational combination of first-in-class bispecific antibodies TALVEY®▼ (talquetamab) and TECVAYLI®▼ (teclistamab) shows deep and durable responses in heavily pretreated multiple myeloma patients
Results from the Phase 2 RedirecTT-1 study demonstrate deep responses with 78.9 percent overall response rate through dual targeting of GPRC5D and BCMA1 Data signal potential of novel, off-the-shelf approach in patients with extramedullary disease who face significant unmet needs1 Advertisement BEERSE, BELGIUM, June 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Janssen-Cilag International NV, a Johnson & Johnson company, announced today new results from the Phase 2 RedirecTT-1 study evaluating the investigational combination of TALVEY®▼(talquetamab), the first European Commission (EC) approved GPRC5D-directed bispecific antibody, and TECVAYLI®▼(teclistamab), the first EC approved BCMA-directed bispecific antibody. The results show a high overall response rate (ORR) with durability in patients with triple-class exposed (TCE) relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have true extramedullary disease (EMD).1 EMD is defined as soft tissue/organ-associated plasmacytomas with no contact to bony structures as per International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria.2 RedirecTT-1 is the largest study dedicated to patients with EMD to date.1 These data were featured in a late-breaking oral presentation (Abstract #LB4001) at the 2025 European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress.1 EMD represents an aggressive form of multiple myeloma and occurs when myeloma cells spread and form tumours (plasmacytomas) elsewhere in the body, such as in soft tissues and organs.3 These patients often face limited treatment options and worse outcomes due to the complexity of the disease, including tumour heterogeneity, resulting in low ORRs and rapid relapses with current standard therapies.2,3 On average, TCE RRMM patients with EMD have an ORR of less than 40 percent and a median progression-free survival (PFS) of less than six months.4 'The investigational combination of talquetamab and teclistamab has demonstrated deep, durable responses in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, and now shows great promise in those with extramedullary myeloma, where standard therapies often fall short,' said Yael Cohen, M.D., Head of Myeloma Unit, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.* 'Dual targeting of GPRC5D and BCMA may lead to a higher ORR and greater depth of response by mitigating target antigen-related escape. The RedirecTT-1 trial shows the power of this novel dual-targeting combination approach as a potential treatment option for patients with this disease.' The Phase 2 RedirecTT-1 study enrolled 90 patients with TCE RRMM with true EMD.1 Of these patients, 84.4 percent were triple-class refractory, 35.6 percent were penta-drug refractory, 20.0 percent had previously received BCMA CAR-T therapy, and 8.9 percent had previously received a bispecific antibody.1 The investigational combination of talquetamab and teclistamab led to a high ORR of 78.9 percent (95 percent confidence interval [CI]; 69.0–86.8), with more than half of patients (54.4 percent) achieving complete response or better.1 High responses were observed even in patients exposed to prior BCMA CAR-T or anti-FcRH5 bispecific antibodies (83.3 percent ORR; 58.6-96.4 and 75.0 percent ORR; 34.9-96.8, respectively).1 Among responders, 66.2 percent remained in response at the data cutoff, with a median follow-up of 13.4 months, signalling deep and durable responses.1 Treatment with the combination resulted in 61.0 percent of patients progression-free and alive at one year.1 Additionally, the combination led to durable responses, with 64.1 percent of patients maintaining response (median duration of response: 13.8 months) and 74.5 percent of patients alive at one year, while median overall survival was not yet reached.1 'Multiple myeloma remains a complex and heterogeneous disease, with extramedullary disease presenting a particularly aggressive and challenging to treat form,' said Ester in't Groen, EMEA Therapeutic Area Head Haematology at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. 'The RedirecTT-1 study reflects our strategy to harness novel mechanisms of action, such as the combination of these dual bispecific antibodies, to help redefine potential outcomes for subsets of patients who are currently faced with a poor prognosis and limited options.' The safety profile of the combination was consistent with previous reports of talquetamab and teclistamab as monotherapies, with no new safety signals identified.1 Patients were given the option to switch to once a month dosing potentially contributing to improved tolerability.1 Rates of discontinuation were low with the treatment combination of talquetamab and teclistamab due to adverse events (AEs).1 Four participants discontinued talquetamab only.1 Reports of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) were mostly low grade.1 Of the ten patients who had Grade 5 AEs (11.1 percent), five were due to infections.1 There were five patient deaths due to infection and the rates of severe infection were similar to those observed with some BCMA bispecific antibody monotherapies.1 'Patients with extramedullary myeloma, especially those who have exhausted prior therapies, need more effective treatment options,' said Jordan Schecter, M.D., Vice President, Disease Area Leader, Multiple Myeloma, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. 'Our first-in-class bispecific antibodies talquetamab and teclistamab have transformed treatment for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The RedirecTT-1 study underscores our commitment to advancing innovative therapies that attack the disease in different ways by building combinable and complementary regimens.' About Talquetamab Talquetamab received conditional marketing authorisation (CMA) from the European Commission (EC) in August 2023, as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least three prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 antibody, and have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy.5 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also granted talquetamab approval in August 2023, for the treatment of adult patients with RRMM who have received at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent and an anti-CD38 antibody.6 Talquetamab is a bispecific T-cell engaging antibody that binds to CD3 on the surface of T-cells, and GPRC5D, a novel target which is highly expressed on the surface of multiple myeloma cells, with minimal to no expression detected on B-cells or B-cell precursors.5 For a full list of adverse events and information on dosage and administration, contraindications and other precautions when using talquetamab, please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics. In line with European Medicine Agency (EMA) regulations for new medicines and those given conditional approval, talquetamab is subject to additional monitoring. About Teclistamab Teclistamab received EC approval in August 2022 for the treatment of patients with RRMM who have received at least three prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 antibody, and have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy.7 In August 2023, the EC approved a Type II variation application for teclistamab, providing the option for a reduced dosing frequency of 1.5mg/kg every two weeks in patients who have achieved a complete response (CR) or better for a minimum of six months.8 Teclistamab received approval from the U.S. FDA in October 2022 for the treatment of adult patients with RRMM who have received at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent and an anti-CD38 antibody.9 Teclistamab is an off-the-shelf (or ready-to-use) bispecific antibody.9,10 Teclistamab, a subcutaneous injection, redirects T-cells through two cellular targets (BCMA and CD3) to activate the body's immune system to fight the cancer. Teclistamab is currently being evaluated in several combination studies.10,11,12,13,14 For a full list of adverse events and information on dosage and administration, contraindications and other precautions when using teclistamab, please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics. In line with European Medicine Agency (EMA) regulations for new medicines and those given conditional approval, teclistamab is subject to additional monitoring. About Multiple Myeloma Multiple myeloma is currently an incurable blood cancer that affects a type of white blood cell called plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow.15,16 In multiple myeloma, these malignant plasma cells continue to proliferate, accumulating in the body and crowding out normal blood cells, as well as often causing bone destruction and other serious complications.15,16 In the European Union, it is estimated that more than 35,000 people were diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2022, and more than 22,700 patients died.17 Patients living with multiple myeloma experience relapses which become more frequent with each line of therapy18,19 while remissions become progressively shorter.18,19,20 Whilst some patients with multiple myeloma initially have no symptoms, others can have common signs and symptoms of the disease, which can include bone fracture or pain, low red blood cell counts, fatigue, high calcium levels, infections, or kidney damage.21 About Johnson & Johnson At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at Follow us at Janssen-Cilag International NV, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Janssen-Cilag Limited, Janssen Biotech, Inc., and Janssen Research & Development, LLC are Johnson & Johnson companies. Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of teclistamab and talquetamab. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialise, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behaviour and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections captioned 'Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements' and 'Item 1A. Risk Factors,' and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. * Yael Cohen, M.D., Head of Myeloma Unit, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel., has provided consulting, advisory and speaking services to Janssen-Cilag International NV; she has not been paid for any media work. ### 1 Kumar S, et al. Phase 2 study of Talquetamab + Teclistamab in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma with Extramedullary Disease: presentation at 2025 European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress; June 12-15, 2025. 2 Ho M, et Multiple Myeloma: Challenges and Opportunities. Curr. Oncol, 2025; 32: 182. 3 Blade J, et al. Extramedullary Disease in Multiple Myeloma: a Systematic Literature Review. Blood Cancer J, 2022; 12(3):45. 4 Moreau P, et al. Outcomes of Patients With Extramedullary Disease in Triple-Class Exposed Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma From the Pooled LocoMMotion and MoMMent Studies. Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025; 25: S2152-2650. 5 European Medicines Agency. TALVEY Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: Last accessed: June 2025. 6 FDA. FDA Grants Accelerated Approval to Talquetamab-tgvs for Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Available at: Last accessed: June 2025. 7 Janssen Marks First Approval Worldwide. Available at: Last accessed: June 2025. 8 European Commission Approves Reduced Dosing Frequency for Janssen's Bispecific Antibody TECVAYLI®▼ (teclistamab). Available at: Last accessed: June 2025. 9 U.S. FDA Approves TECVAYLI™ (teclistamab-cqyv), the First Bispecific T-cell Engager Antibody for the Treatment of Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Available at: Last accessed: June 2025. 10 European Medicines Agency. TECVAYLI Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: Last accessed: June 2025. 11 A Study of Teclistamab With Other Anticancer Therapies in Participants With Multiple Myeloma (MajesTEC-2). Available at: Last accessed: June 2025. 12 A Study of the Combination of Talquetamab and Teclistamab in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Available at: Last accessed: June 2025. 13 A Study of Subcutaneous Daratumumab Regimens in Combination With Bispecific T Cell Redirection Antibodies for the Treatment of Participants With Multiple Myeloma. Available at: Last accessed: June 2025. 14 A Study of Teclistamab in Combination With Daratumumab Subcutaneously (SC) (TecDara) Versus Daratumumab SC, Pomalidomide, and Dexamethasone (DPd) or Daratumumab SC, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone (DVd) in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (MajesTEC-3). Available at: Last accessed: June 2025. 15 Abdi J, et al. Drug Resistance in Multiple Myeloma: Latest Findings on Molecular Mechanisms. Oncotarget 2013;4(12):2186-2207. 16 American Society of Clinical Oncology. Multiple Myeloma: Introduction. Available at: Last accessed: June 2025. 17 ECIS – European Cancer Information System. Estimates of Cancer Incidence and Mortality in 2022, by Country. Multiple Myeloma. Available at: Last accessed: June 2025. 18 Bhatt P, Kloock C, Comenzo R. Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: A Review of Available Therapies and Clinical Scenarios Encountered in Myeloma Relapse. Curr Oncol. 2023;30(2):2322-2347. 19 Hernández-Rivas JÁ, et al. The Changing Landscape of Relapsed and/or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (MM): Fundamentals and Controversies. Biomark Res. 2022;10(1):1-23. 20 Gavriatopoulou M, et al. Metabolic Disorders in Multiple Myeloma. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(21):11430. 21 American Cancer Society. Multiple Myeloma: Early Detection, Diagnosis and Staging. Available at: Last accessed: June 2025. CP-526056 June 2025 Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Hairstylists, medical expert confirms this side effect for Ozempic users
Side effects from GLP-1s can vary, but one lesser-known reported outcome of the popular weight-loss medications is hair loss or thinning. Some hairstylists have confirmed an uptick in clients who complain about losing hair while on weight-loss journeys. Advertisement This includes Ashley DiMatteo, owner of Ashley Lauren Beauty Lounge in Westchester, New York, and Briana Delvecchio, a color specialist and hairdresser at DiMatteo's salon. The two spoke with Fox News Digital in an on-camera interview. 'There has definitely been an increase in clients coming in with hair loss,' DiMatteo said, noting that it ranges from gradual to fast, and from thinning out to completely losing hair. Delvecchio agreed that she's had 'a few' clients come in reporting thinner and drier hair, which she suspects could be due to weight-loss drugs. The hairstylist, who herself takes a GLP-1 drug, said there may be a few reasons for hair changes, including new medications, vitamin deficiencies, and weight loss, which can put stress on the body. Advertisement Becky Watt, an Ohio hairstylist with more than 20 years of experience, said she's also noticed clients losing hair while taking weight-loss drugs. 'I've seen thinning and shedding, and a lot of hair coming out very easily when being washed,' she told Fox News Digital. 'I have not noticed any bald spots.' 6 Some hairstylists have confirmed an uptick in clients who complain about losing hair while on weight-loss journeys. blackday – She's had some clients, however, who are taking the medications without any hair loss, Watt added. Medical factors Advertisement In a separate interview, Dr. Philip Rabito, an endocrinologist in New York City, said this reaction, called telogen effluvium, is a stress response to weight loss that affects the hair follicle. The response is only temporary, he noted. The hair will fall out, then grow back once the weight loss stabilizes after a few months. 'It's a response to severe physical stress, and weight loss is considered starvation,' Rabito said. 'It is the rapidity of the weight loss that correlates with the amount of hair loss.' 6 Ashley DiMatteo, owner of Ashley Lauren Beauty Lounge in Westchester, New York, and Briana Delvecchio, a color specialist and hairdresser at DiMatteo's salon, have noticed that some of their clients' hair has been thinning due to their weight loss journey. FOX News Digital Advertisement Before weight-loss drugs, traditional bariatric surgery would lead to the loss of 70% of excess body weight in about six months, Rabito said, which was often followed by hair loss within six to nine months. 'Your body doesn't understand that this is healthy weight loss — your body thinks it's starving,' he reiterated. 'It happens to almost everyone, to some people more than others.' Those who lose weight more repetitively are at higher risk of hair loss, Rabito said, as well as those who have an underlying thyroid issue or micronutrient deficiency, typically in iron, B12, or vitamin D. These vitamin deficiencies can worsen as weight loss occurs, so it's important to work with a medical professional to balance these levels, according to the doctor. 6 Delvecchio said that she's had 'a few' clients come in reporting thinner and drier hair, which she suspects could be due to weight-loss drugs. FOX News Digital 'From what I have learned from talking to these specific clients, it seems that the clients that are still eating don't have the hair loss,' Watt observed. 'It seems that my clients who say they don't have any appetite whatsoever are the ones losing the most hair,' she continued. 'I believe that's possibly due to lack of nutrients and protein, although I'm no doctor.' Tips for managing hair loss Advertisement DiMatteo and Delvecchio agreed they 'always' advise their clients to see their doctor for a vitamin level check. 'And we will also then taper their hair routine,' DiMatteo said. 'Basically, less is more during hair loss.' The salon owner suggested keeping up with scalp treatment, reducing the use of heat, brushing from the bottom up, and avoiding going to bed with wet hair. 'Check in with your weight-loss doctor or your endocrinologist prior to coming to us to rule out iron, vitamin D, or anything that you're lacking — we need to rule that out before we can help you,' Delvecchio said. Advertisement 'Then we'll tell you we need to work on your scalp health; we'll give you shampoo and conditioner that may be a little gentler for your hair.' 'Scalp stimulation is huge,' DiMatteo added. 'Rinsing with cool water helps as well. Try not to do harsher treatments in the sense of lightening or coloring — spread it out as much as possible.' Rabito noted that losing hair is 'part of the game.' He said he always warns his patients before starting their weight-loss journey that this will most likely occur and is a 'mark of success.' Advertisement 6 Dr. Philip Rabito (not pictured), an endocrinologist in New York City, said this reaction, called telogen effluvium, is a stress response to weight loss that affects the hair follicle. Wild Awake – 'They're going to lose hair,' he said. 'It's going to get worse before it gets better.' 'But as long as you get the vitamins controlled, get them adequately repleted — when the patient plateaus and the weight is stable for a month or two, the body doesn't sense starvation anymore, and the body is less stressed, then the hair grows back better than ever.' Watt said she often recommends a hair vitamin to her clients struggling with weight loss. 'Diet also has a lot to do with it,' she noted. Advertisement 6 When previously contacted, Novo Nordisk — the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy — confirmed that hair loss is an identified risk for semaglutide, and is listed as a side effect in the product information. mbruxelle – She also recommended using a shampoo and conditioner that are formulated to resist thinning and hair loss, along with a bond-building hair product. DiMatteo and Delvecchio assured those who are experiencing hair loss that regrowth does take time, and that there's no need for excessive hair growth treatments. Delvecchio added, 'The hair loss is temporary. It's a positive stress, and it's worth it.' When previously contacted by Fox News Digital, Novo Nordisk — the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy — confirmed that hair loss is an identified risk for semaglutide, and is listed as a side effect in the product information. 6 DiMatteo and Delvecchio assured those who are experiencing hair loss that regrowth does take time, and that there's no need for excessive hair growth treatments. doucefleur – 'In clinical trials of Wegovy, hair loss was reported in 2.5% of Wegovy-treated adult patients versus 1.0% of placebo-treated adult patients,' the company spokesperson said at the time. 'Hair loss was reported more frequently in patients with greater weight loss (≥20%), suggesting that the events of hair loss were potentially related to the magnitude of weight loss.' 'Patient safety is of utmost importance to Novo Nordisk,' the statement continued. 'We are continuously monitoring the safety profile of our products and collaborate closely with authorities to ensure patient safety, including adequate information on hair loss.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Weight-Loss Medications Less Effective for People in the 'Real World,' New Study Finds
A new study analyzed patients who used GLP-1 medications in a real-world setting Researchers found that participants lost less weight compared to use in clinical trials They believe discontinuation rates are due to high out-of-pocket costs, issues with insurance coverage, side effects and supply shortagesWeight-loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro are not as effective in a 'real-world' setting, according to a new study. The study — published June 10 in the Obesity Journal — analyzed nearly 8,000 patients who were classified as having severe obesity. Between 2021 and 2023, they were treated with semaglutide or tirzepatide, injectable GLP-1 medications, in a real-world setting. GLP-1 is short for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, which work in the brain to impact satiety. Semaglutide is sold under brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, and tirzepatide is sold under brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound. In a follow-up study, which ended in December 2024, researchers grouped patients who discontinued their obesity medications into those who discontinued early (within 3 months) and late (within 3-12 months). Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! They found that more than 20% of patients discontinued their medications early and 32% discontinued their medications late. Additionally, more than 80% of patients were on lower maintenance dosages of their medications. After a year of treatment, the average weight loss was 3.6% for those who discontinued their treatment early, compared to 6.8% for those who discontinued their treatment late. Those who continued treatment lost about 12% of their body weight. During clinical trials for the GLP-1s, patients lost about 15% to 20% of their body weight. 'Our findings about the real-world use patterns of these medications and associated clinical outcomes could inform the decisions of healthcare providers and their patients on the role of treatment discontinuation and maintenance dosage in achieving clinically meaningful weight reductions,' Dr. Hamlet Gasoyan, Cleveland Clinic researcher and lead author of the study, said in a statement. The study notes that discontinuation rates during real-world use were higher than those in a clinical trial setting due to high out-of-pocket costs, issues with insurance coverage, side effects and supply shortages. Read the original article on People
