Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, widely prescribed for weight loss and diabetes, may have an unexpected benefit for patients with a painful skin condition, a recent study suggests.
Hidradenitis suppurativa, also called acne inversa, causes recurrent lumps under the skin, often in areas where friction occurs, and affects women three times more than men, according to Mayo Clinic.
The Study and Its Findings
Published in JAMA Dermatology and further reported by Fox News Digital, the French study followed 66 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa who were taking GLP-1 drugs over an average of 18.5 months. Nearly 90% also had diabetes, and the average BMI was 39.4. By six months, 54% of patients reported symptom relief, and by the final consultation, 67% experienced reduced flare severity and 60% reported less pain.
Why It Works
Dr. Brendan Camp, a New York dermatologist, told Fox News Digital that GLP-1-induced weight loss can reduce “mechanical friction” and “adipose-driven inflammation,” which often aggravate the skin condition. He added that GLP-1 medications also appear to have anti-inflammatory effects that may help healing and reduce flare-ups.
Cautious Optimism
Camp emphasized that while results are promising, the study’s retrospective design limits definitive conclusions. Most participants were obese and diabetic, meaning benefits may not extend to all patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. He noted that GLP-1s are not approved for skin conditions, but patients taking them for diabetes or obesity could experience the added benefit of improved symptoms.
“Off-label use should be approached cautiously,” Camp said. He recommends consulting both a dermatologist and prescribing provider to weigh potential benefits against side effects, costs, and the lack of definitive trial evidence.
For patients struggling with hidradenitis suppurativa, GLP-1 drugs may offer more than weight loss. While not yet a standard treatment, these findings hint at a dual benefit: managing weight while potentially easing one of dermatology’s most painful chronic conditions.
