New Study Links Blockbuster Weight Loss and Diabetes Drugs to Severe Stomach Conditions
A new epidemiological study has found that popular weight loss and diabetes drugs, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, may be associated with an increased risk of three rare and severe stomach conditions in non-diabetic patients. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia, revealed that these drugs could lead to stomach paralysis, bowel obstruction, and pancreatitis, with one condition not even being mentioned on the drugs’ warning labels.
The drugs in question, known as GLP-1s, have gained significant popularity in the United States due to their ability to cause significant weight loss over time. However, they have recently come under scrutiny as some patients have reported experiencing stomach paralysis and suicidal thoughts while taking them.
GLP-1s work by slowing digestion and suppressing appetite, but if this process slows down too much, it can lead to complications. The University of British Columbia study found an increased risk of stomach paralysis, where the movement of food from the stomach to the intestine is slowed or completely stopped, causing symptoms like persistent vomiting. The study also noted an increased risk of bowel obstruction, where food is blocked from passing through the small or large intestine, and pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas.
The researchers specifically examined semaglutide – the active ingredient used in Wegovy and Ozempic – and another GLP-1 called liraglutide, comparing them to a different weight loss treatment called bupropion-naltrexone. This large-scale study is the first to examine the risk of severe stomach conditions in non-diabetic patients specifically using GLP-1s for weight loss.
Previous studies have already highlighted the risk of these conditions in diabetic patients taking GLP-1s, as people with diabetes are generally more prone to experiencing stomach paralysis and pancreatitis. The researchers wanted to focus on non-diabetic patients because millions of people worldwide are using these drugs solely for weight loss purposes.
Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind Wegovy and Ozempic, has not yet commented on the study. The researchers based their findings on an analysis of health insurance claim records for approximately 16 million U.S. patients who were prescribed semaglutide or liraglutide between 2006 and 2020. Patients with diabetes or those prescribed other diabetes drugs were excluded from the study.
Although most patients in the study were prescribed liraglutide, the researchers believe the increased risks observed could apply to the entire GLP-1 drug class. They emphasize the importance of informing healthcare providers and patients about these potential drawbacks before prescribing or taking GLP-1s for weight loss.