There's been a clinical breakthrough with Hollywood's new favourite drug, which could work for more than weight loss.

Research has found semaglutide, known by brand name Ozempic, could reduce heart attack risk by 20 percent.

It also could improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.

But Auckland University Molecular medicine professor Peter Shepherd says it takes years of real-life usage to see the effects of a new drug.

"For a lot of people, this is really good long-term. But there is 20 - 25 percent of people who start off on this drug, and it doesn't work and they have too many side effects and they've gotta stop."

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