The noise around weight loss drugs refuses to die down. However, a new study has found taking drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy puts the person at “increased risk” of developing intestinal obstruction–a life-threatening condition.
The study, published in the journal Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, found a serious side effect of taking these medications.
The drugs consist of the peptide semaglutide, a derivative of GLP-1, which is a hormone derived from the small intestine. Semaglutide mimics the hormone, which in turn, makes a person feel fuller for longer by slowing digestion, The Post reported. This leads to its popular weight loss effect.
“While their efficacies and safety profiles are widely accepted, long-term adverse events such as the increased risk of intestinal obstruction have been reported in diabetic patients, which is 4.5 times higher than those receiving other glucose control medications,” the researchers wrote regarding the weight loss drugs.
“A real-world study of 25,617 subjects demonstrated a 3.5-fold increase in the intestinal obstruction rate associated with GLP-1RA treatment,” the researchers further wrote.
The drugs are usually used to treat diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, its many side effects are just becoming known, and another one to add to this growing list is intestinal obstruction.
Intestinal obstruction, as the name suggests, is the condition when a blockage in the small or large intestine restricts the passage of food or liquid, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If left untreated, the condition can cause blocked parts of the intestine to die, leading to an infection called peritonitis. This is a life-threatening condition that can be treated with surgery.
“GLP-1 receptor agonists have been used to treat type 2 diabetes for more than 15 years” which includes “Novo Nordisk products that have been on the market for more than 10 years,” the medicine’s manufacturer, Novo Norodisk, told The Post. “Gastrointestinal side effects are well-known side effects of the GLP-1 RA class. The majority are of mild to moderate severity and of short duration.”
The researchers also mentioned two other studies in their paper that showed a correlation between GLP-1 and intestinal issues–one published in 2020, the other in 2022. However, these studies were observational in nature.
“Patient safety is of utmost importance to Novo Nordisk and we are continuously collecting safety data on our marketed GLP-1 RAs and collaborating closely with authorities to ensure patient safety,” the spokesperson said.
One other side effect of Ozempic and similar drugs that was making rounds on the internet was “ Ozempic face“–the distortion of the face after a dramatic weight loss. However, experts said the dehydrated and shrunken facial appearance of users is normal because of the abrupt weight loss.