Health Risks Associated with Popular Diabetes Drug
By Andrew Court
Published Nov. 14, 2023, 6:51 p.m. ET
An Oregon man is warning others about the potential dangers of a popular diabetes drug after suffering two life-threatening blocked intestines. Wilson “Bo” Muhlheim, 79, believes that Ozempic, an injectable medication used to manage type 2 diabetes and promote weight loss, is responsible for his medical episodes.
Muhlheim claims that shortly after beginning Ozempic injections last year, he experienced severe stomach pains and was rushed to the emergency room. Doctors diagnosed him with a blocked intestine that was just hours away from potentially rupturing. Although he recovered from the incident, Muhlheim continued to use Ozempic for six more months before suffering another sudden blockage that landed him back in the hospital.
In September, the Food and Drug Administration announced that ileus, the medical term for an intestinal blockage, would be listed as a side effect on Ozempic’s label. The agency had received 18 reports of people taking Ozempic suffering from the condition.
Muhlheim is not the only person to report major issues after using the drug. In the US, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company, which manufactures the popular diabetes drug Mounjaro, are being sued over claims that the injectables can cause severe gastrointestinal problems, such as gastroparesis or stomach paralysis, which can lead to death. Law firm Morgan & Morgan has received 500 similar accusations from clients across 45 states, along with claims of injuries allegedly caused by other weight-loss drugs, including Rybelsus and Saxenda.
In Australia, Ozempic is also being blamed for the death of a woman trying to slim down for a wedding.
Muhlheim is now urging potential users to think twice before filling a prescription for Ozempic. He believes that the risks associated with the drug outweigh any potential weight loss benefits.
The Danish maker of Ozempic and Wegovy has not yet publicly responded to the allegations. The FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System has received 76 reports of fatalities mentioning products with semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, from 2018 through Sept. 30.
The FDA and Novo Nordisk have not yet provided a comment on the situation. For now, Muhlheim is focused on recovering from his second intestinal blockage and raising awareness about the potential risks of Ozempic. He says he has stopped using the drug and is slowly recovering from the incidents.