New Study Links Weight Loss Drug Wegovy to Severe Stomach Conditions
A recent epidemiological study published in the research journal JAMA has found a potential link between weight loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic and three rare, severe stomach conditions in non-diabetic patients. As these medications gain popularity for their ability to cause significant weight loss, concerns are growing over their potential side effects.
Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic belong to a class of drugs known as GLP-1s, which work by suppressing appetite through the slowing of digestion. However, the study conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia has discovered an increased risk of stomach paralysis, bowel obstruction, and pancreatitis in patients taking these drugs.
Stomach paralysis, a condition not currently listed in the warning labels for these drugs, slows or stops the movement of food from the stomach to the intestine and can lead to symptoms like persistent vomiting. The study also identified an elevated risk of bowel obstruction, where food is blocked from passing through the small or large intestine, as well as pancreatitis, which involves inflammation of the pancreas.
The research, which specifically examined the active ingredient semaglutide found in Wegovy and Ozempic, compared GLP-1 drugs against the weight loss treatment bupropion-naltrexone. This study was the first of its kind to investigate the risk of these serious stomach conditions in non-diabetic patients using GLP-1s for weight loss.
Previous studies have already highlighted the risks of these conditions in diabetic patients taking GLP-1 drugs. However, this new research aimed to focus solely on non-diabetic patients, as millions of individuals worldwide use these drugs to aid in weight loss.
The study analyzed health insurance claim records for approximately 16 million U.S. patients. Patients with a recent history of obesity who were prescribed semaglutide or liraglutide between 2006 and 2020 were included in the analysis, whereas those with diabetes or who had been prescribed another diabetes drug were excluded. The majority of patients received a prescription for liraglutide, but researchers believe the observed risks could apply to the entire GLP-1 drug class.
The findings indicated that GLP-1 drugs were associated with a nine times higher risk of pancreatitis, a four times higher risk of bowel obstruction, and over three times higher risk of stomach paralysis compared to the weight loss drug bupropion-naltrexone.
Although these risks are relatively rare, with approximately 10 out of every 1,000 patients experiencing stomach paralysis while taking semaglutide, the large number of individuals taking these medications globally raises concerns.
Novo Nordisk has yet to comment on the study’s findings.
The researchers behind this study hope their findings will inform healthcare providers about the potential drawbacks of prescribing GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. They emphasize the importance of informed patient consent and encourage individuals considering these medications to discuss their goals and potential risks with their healthcare providers.