Could a New Drug Prevent Muscle Loss Caused by Ozempic and Other Weight Loss Injections?

The Hidden Cost of Rapid Weight Loss on Obesity Medications

Obesity injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro have transformed the weight loss landscape — but they come with an unwanted side effect that's drawing growing attention. According to new research published in Nature Medicine, approximately one-third of the weight shed while using GLP-1 medications can come from muscle tissue rather than fat. Now, a new drug called apitegromab may offer a solution.

What Is 'Ozempic Butt' — and Why Does It Happen?

As people rapidly lose weight on GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, some experience a significant reduction not just in fat, but also in muscle and tissue volume. One widely discussed consequence is a flattened or sagging appearance to the buttocks — colloquially known as 'Ozempic butt.'

Plastic surgeons across the United States report a sharp increase in patient consultations related to this issue, and while it carries no formal medical diagnosis, its impact on body confidence is real.

Experts believe this muscle depletion stems from the speed of weight loss itself, rather than any direct effect of the medication. GLP-1 drugs work by suppressing appetite and prolonging feelings of fullness, causing users to consume significantly fewer calories — and when the body loses weight quickly, muscle is often sacrificed alongside fat. Unlike fat, muscle is notoriously difficult to rebuild once lost.

How Apitegromab Could Help Preserve Muscle

A clinical trial involving 102 adults — the majority of whom were women — has revealed encouraging results for apitegromab as a companion treatment to obesity medication. Participants who received apitegromab alongside Mounjaro retained approximately 1.9kg (55%) more lean muscle mass compared to those given a placebo.

In the apitegromab group, muscle accounted for just 14.6% of total weight lost, versus 30.2% in the placebo group — a notable difference that suggests the drug may help users lose fat while protecting their muscles.

Apitegromab functions by targeting and blocking a protein responsible for triggering muscle breakdown. It is also currently being researched as a potential therapy for other muscle-affecting conditions, including spinal muscular atrophy.

Important Caveats

Despite the promising data, experts urge caution. The trial ran for only six months, and independent researchers emphasize that these findings should be regarded as early encouraging evidence rather than confirmed clinical proof.

Dr. Marie Spreckley of Cambridge University, who was not involved in the study, called for larger, longer-term trials to determine whether preserving muscle mass genuinely improves strength, wellbeing, and overall health outcomes over time.

Dr. Brendan Gabriel, a nutrition and health specialist at the University of Aberdeen, added that apitegromab may not be appropriate for all GLP-1 users — but could prove particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing unusually rapid muscle loss.

At present, apitegromab is only accessible through clinical trials and must be administered intravenously. The drug's manufacturer — which also funded the study — is currently exploring whether a self-injectable pen format could be developed, similar to how GLP-1 medications are delivered.

How to Protect Your Muscles While on Weight Loss Medication

While apitegromab awaits further evaluation, people using GLP-1 drugs are already encouraged to take practical steps to preserve their muscle mass.

Strength Training

You don't need a gym membership to maintain muscle. Any activity that challenges your muscles beyond their normal workload counts as strength training — and the benefits compound over time. The NHS recommends aiming for at least two sessions per week, which can include:

• Bodyweight exercises such as squats, lunges, and push-ups
• Resistance band workouts
• Weight lifting or dumbbell exercises
• Yoga or Pilates
• Heavy gardening or carrying loads

Begin at a manageable level and gradually increase intensity as your strength improves.

Prioritise Protein Intake

Diet plays an equally important role. Research indicates that consuming 20–40 grams of protein per meal supports the maintenance and development of muscle mass. A practical guideline is to fill roughly a quarter of your plate with protein-rich foods at every meal.

Excellent protein sources include:

• Meat and poultry
• Fish and seafood
• Beans, lentils, and chickpeas
• Eggs
• Greek yoghurt and dairy products
• Nuts and seeds

The Bottom Line

GLP-1 medications remain powerful and legitimate tools for managing obesity — but they are not intended as cosmetic quick fixes, and health professionals strongly advise against misusing them for short-term aesthetic goals. As the science around these drugs continues to evolve, treatments like apitegromab represent a genuinely exciting frontier in making weight loss both effective and healthier for the whole body.