Semaglutide, the active ingredient in the diabetes and weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, could lower the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, a new study shows.

Type-2 diabetes patients taking the active ingredient in the drugs, semaglutide, "had a significantly lower risk" of developing the disease, the study found

Weight-loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound appear to help people battle alcoholism and opioid addiction, a new study finds.

Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are given as weekly injections via pre-filled pens that can be self-administered into the upper arm, thigh or stomach. They work as an appetite suppressant by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).

People with Type 2 diabetes taking semaglutide appeared to have a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer's compared to patients taking seven other diabetes drugs, researchers reported.

FDA approval: Ozempic is FDA-approved for Type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss. Cost: Ozempic is typically more affordable than Wegovy. At the time of publishing, the list price for Ozempic was $968.52 per month, whereas the list price for Wegovy was $1,349.02 per month. List prices are the price set by the manufacturer.

Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster drug Ozempic (NVO) is linked to yet another health benefit. This time it’s lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

The active ingredient in Ozempic was associated with a 40% to 70% lower risk of a first-time Alzheimer’s diagnosis in diabetes patients.

Nearly 7 million Americans 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, which gradually destroys memory and thinking skills and the ability to perform daily tasks.