The active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, medications commonly used for weight loss, has been linked to a higher risk of developing rare but serious gastrointestinal conditions, including stomach paralysis. This conclusion was drawn from an analysis of the side effects associated with these weight loss medications.
Ozempic and Wegovy are part of a new class of highly effective weight loss drugs that mimic a hormone called GLP-1, which promotes a feeling of satiety after eating. Both drugs contain semaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist, as their active ingredient. While these drugs have been used to treat type 2 diabetes for over a decade, their use for weight loss is relatively new, and little is known about their long-term side effects.
To gain a better understanding, researchers at the University of British Columbia in Canada analyzed a large health database encompassing 16 million people in the US. They identified 4757 participants with obesity who were prescribed semaglutide or a different GLP-1 agonist called liraglutide from 2006 to 2020. These participants did not have diabetes, indicating off-label use for weight loss purposes.
The researchers compared the medical histories of these participants to a second group of 654 people with obesity who were prescribed a different weight loss medication. After accounting for various factors including age, sex, and alcohol use, the researchers found that those using semaglutide or liraglutide were significantly more likely to develop rare but serious gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastroparesis (stomach paralysis), intestinal blockage, and pancreatitis.
These findings highlight the potential risks of using GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy. Despite the rarity of these adverse events, it is important to inform people about these risks, especially considering the widespread use of these drugs. Reshmi Srinath, a healthcare professional, suggests taking a personalized approach with each patient, considering the benefits of weight loss and reduction of obesity-related complications.
Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures some GLP-1 agonists, including Ozempic and Wegovy, emphasizes patient safety as a top priority. The company collaborates with the US Food and Drug Administration to continuously monitor the safety profile of these medicines. It is worth noting that some of these products were not available until the end of the study period.
