New drug could fight ‘Ozempic butt’ — and some other unwelcome side effects of GLP-1 drugs

You may yet be able to lean out without losing out, as a new drug could save GLP-1 users from the flat fate of “Ozempic butt.”

A symptom of rapid weight loss, Ozempic butt is characterized by a sudden loss of volume and muscle in key areas, leaving users looking and feeling deflated.

And Americans are losing weight faster than ever thanks to drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, with roughly one in eight US adults now turning to GLP-1s to slim down.

GLP-1 medications work by mimicking hormones to reduce food cravings, increase fullness, slow digestion, and stabilize blood sugar levels.

Research suggests that while GLP-1 drugs do indeed trigger significant weight loss, about 25% to 40% of that loss comes from lean body mass, including muscle.

This loss is critical because, in addition to giving backsides their bounce, lean body mass supports metabolism, strength, balance, mobility, energy levels and healthy aging.

However, a new study published in the journal Nature Medicine found that when weight-loss drugs are paired with an experimental antibody medication called apitegromab, patients may be able to lose weight without sacrificing muscle.

According to study coauthor Richard Pratley, the results of the study “absolutely show that they can preserve lean mass.”

Apitegromab works by blocking myostatin, a protein that contributes to muscle breakdown.

In a clinical trial, Pratley and his team tested the treatment on 102 people with BMIs that classified them as overweight or obese. For 24 weeks, they all got weekly injections of the weight-loss drug tirzepatide (sold under brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound). Half also received a monthly infusion of apitegromab.

While both groups lost roughly the same amount of weight, those who received apitegromab retained around 55% more muscle, or “lean mass,” than those who didn’t receive it.

Keeping that lean mass also seemed to translate into the retention of strength: Those who took apitegromab recorded slightly greater grip strength and scored higher on a test measuring leg strength and endurance.

Apitegromab — which has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and is available only via intravenous infusions — is also being explored as a potential treatment for spinal muscular atrophy.

According to Seeley, the ultimate goal is finding “the right drug for the right patient at the right time.”

Researchers are calling for future studies to determine if the medicine can help combat sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength associated with aging, which not only impairs physical performance but also increases the risk of falls and loss of independence.

“We need to learn what these medications are capable of,” said Pratley.

For those looking to fight back against a flat tush, there are other ways to preserve and promote muscle mass.

Experts recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and at least two days of strength training, including lifting weights, resistance training, or other muscle-building activities.

Protein is also key to maintaining muscle. The Recommended Dietary Allowance is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound. For a 150-pound person, that’s 54 grams of protein daily.

Dor those looking to build muscle, experts recommend 1.2 grams to 2 grams of protein per kilogram of weight.

High-protein foods include chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna, tofu, chickpeas, lentils, milk, yogurt, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds. While red meat is rich in protein, experts warn that a high intake may increase your risk of colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate cancer.