We talk Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. A number of studies have shown the amazing weight loss potential of a new group of drugs, known to many by their brand names as Ozempic (which is for diabetes), Wegovy and Mounjaro. But how do these new drugs work? How were they discovered and who can use them?

In the first half of 2025, Ozempic developer Novo Nordisk in Bagsværd, Denmark, expects results from a second phase III trial of its experimental drug CagriSema — a combination of semaglutide and a medicine called cagrilintide. People on CagriSema lost about 23% of their body weight in a 68-week study, outperforming both drugs when taken alone.

One recent analysis found that, over the course of three years, people taking semaglutide (the compound in Ozempic and the weight loss drug Wegovy) were about 40 to 70 percent less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease compared with people on other diabetes medications.

The use of blockbuster weight loss drugs has surged among young women, for whom the treatments can often be "liberating."

Eli Lilly investors and analysts said they want to hear details from the company on how exactly it plans to grow U.S. sales of popular weight-loss drug Zepbound after it last month forecast lower-than-expected fourth-quarter revenues for the drug.