{"id":2059410,"date":"2023-10-07T23:53:01","date_gmt":"2023-10-08T03:53:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/weight-loss-drug-carries-rare-but-severe-stomach-risk-including-pancreatitis-study\/"},"modified":"2023-10-07T23:58:19","modified_gmt":"2023-10-08T03:58:19","slug":"weight-loss-drug-carries-rare-but-severe-stomach-risk-including-pancreatitis-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/weight-loss-drug-carries-rare-but-severe-stomach-risk-including-pancreatitis-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Study: Weight loss drug linked to rare but severe stomach risk, including pancreatitis."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fweight-loss-drug-carries-rare-but-severe-stomach-risk-including-pancreatitis-study%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2059410&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div data-post-content=\"true\" class=\"post_content\" id=\"post_content\">\n<p>The new diabetes drug Ozempic, widely used for weight loss, and Wegovy, which is approved\u200c for chronic\u2063 weight management in adults with obesity, have been helping \u200cthousands of people shed a \u200csignificant\u200d amount of weight. However, recent evidence suggests that\u2063 these medications \u2062may have rare\u200d but \u200cserious side effects.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>In addition to common side \u200deffects like nausea, vomiting,\u200c and diarrhea,\u2064 some\u200c users have an increased risk \u200bof \u200bthree rare\u2014but very serious\u2014stomach conditions, according to a research letter \u2062published \u200dThursday in the <a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jama\/fullarticle\/2810542\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Journal of\u2062 the American Medical Association<\/a> \u200c(JAMA).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>\u201cThe risk\u200d of severe gastrointestinal side effects is something that\u200b patients should be aware of when \u2062starting these medications,&#8221; \u2064Dr. Jessica Folek, director of bariatric surgery at Northwell Long Island Jewish Forest Hills\u2062 in Queens, New \u2062York, and who was not associated with the study, told The\u200d Epoch Times.<\/p>\n<h2>Study Involved 16 Million Patients<\/h2>\n<p>Past research has shown increased risks in diabetic patients using these medications, but those patients already\u200b had higher baseline risks of <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/25667022\/#:~:text=Gastroparesis%20is%20a%20complication%20of,in%20patients%20with%20diabetic%20gastroparesis.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">gastroparesis<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/four-ways-your-gut-health-may-be-impacting-your-brain\/\" title=\"Four Ways Your Gut Health May Be Impacting Your Brain\">delayed gastric emptying<\/a>) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8815725\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pancreatitis<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"shortcode\"><!--$--><\/p>\n<div class=\"border-comp-divider mb-4 mr-4 w-full max-w-[500px] border px-5 py-4 text-[16px] leading-[20px] text-[#262626] md:float-left\" id=\"in_article_related_stories\">\n<h2 class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related Stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/health\/suicidal-thoughts-the-dark-side-of-popular-weight-loss-drugs-5500436?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>Over 200 Cases of Suicidal Thoughts After Taking Weight Loss Drugs: New Analysis<\/h3>\n<p>            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/28\/2023<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n          <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/health\/suicidal-thoughts-the-dark-side-of-popular-weight-loss-drugs-5500436?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/health\/demand-for-weight-loss-drugs-is-skyrocketing-despite-highest-fda-safety-warnings-5496059?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>Popular\u200c Weight Loss Drugs \u200cTaken by Millions Hold \u2064Highest Safety Warnings<\/h3>\n<p>            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/25\/2023<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n          <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/health\/demand-for-weight-loss-drugs-is-skyrocketing-despite-highest-fda-safety-warnings-5496059?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>    <!--\/$-->\n  <\/div>\n<p>The new population-level study examined the risk of serious stomach conditions in non-diabetic patients prescribed the class of drugs known as GLP-1s for weight loss.<\/p>\n<p>GLP-1 agonists are a \u2064class of drugs that\u200c includes semaglutide, \u2063the\u200b active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. These drugs work\u2062 by imitating a hormone normally released in the\u200b intestines after eating which \u200chelps promote feelings of fullness and reduces appetite.<\/p>\n<p>In the \u2062latest study, researchers analyzed \u200ca random sample of 16 million patient records from\u200c the\u2062 PharMetrics Plus health claims database between 2006 and 2020. \u200dThis database\u200d captures 93 percent of U.S. outpatient\u2062 prescriptions and diagnoses.<\/p>\n<p>Researchers compared the new GLP-1 drugs\u2014semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, \u200dRybelsus), liraglutide (Saxenda, \u200cVictoza)\u2014to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/weight-loss-drug-carries-rare-but-severe-stomach-risk-including-pancreatitis-study\/\" title=\"Study: Weight loss drug linked to rare but severe stomach risk, including pancreatitis.\">older weight loss drug bupropion-naltrexone<\/a> \u200b(Contrave).<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>Their findings \u200bsuggest\u2064 GLP-1 drugs carry increased risks of three potentially severe \u2063gut conditions compared to bupropion-naltrexone.<\/p>\n<h3>1. \u2063Pancreatitis<\/h3>\n<p>Pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, causes severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>The study found almost five cases \u200bof pancreatitis for every 1,000 people who take GLP-1 drugs, compared to only one case \u2064per 1,000 bupropion-naltrexone users.<\/p>\n<h3>2. \u200cBowel Obstruction<\/h3>\n<p>Bowel obstruction, a \u200bblockage\u2063 that interrupts the normal flow\u2063 of\u2062 contents through the digestive tract, causes symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, \u200dnausea, and vomiting. The blockage may be partial\u200b or complete.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>GLP-1 \u2062drug users had \u200ca four times higher risk of\u2063 bowel obstruction compared\u2062 to those\u2062 who took bupropion-naltrexone, according to the study.<\/p>\n<h3>3. \u200dGastroparesis<\/h3>\n<p>Gastroparesis delays stomach emptying into the small intestine, causing symptoms\u200b like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and weight loss.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>The study found approximately nine \u200ccases of gastroparesis per 1,000 semaglutide users, seven cases per 1,000 \u200dliraglutide users, but only three cases per 1,000 \u200cusers of \u2064the older weight loss drug.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is the Bottom\u2064 Line?<\/h2>\n<p>&#8220;Patients with a history of GI disorders, such as IBS [irritable bowel syndrome] may be at \u2063increased risk \u2062for\u200c these\u2062 side effects,&#8221; Dr. Folek said. &#8220;So it\u2063 would be worthwhile in future studies to study this as a possible contributing factor.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>However, given the superior weight\u2062 loss efficacy\u200c of GLP-1 drugs \u2063and the low incidence of severe side effects (0.7-0.9 \u200cpercent), these drugs remain \u2064a powerful \u200ctool\u2063 for treating obesity, she noted.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>The study authors acknowledged limitations, \u2064including\u2064 uncertainty \u2064about whether all participants took the drugs specifically for weight loss.<\/p>\n<h2>The Drugs&#8217; Manufacturer \u2064Responds<\/h2>\n<p>In an emailed \u200bstatement to The Epoch Times, Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, emphasized its priority of patient safety and ongoing work with \u2063the FDA to\u200c monitor drug safety \u200dprofiles.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\u201cThe FDA-approved product labeling for\u2063 Novo Nordisk\u2019s GLP-1RA medicines \u200cindicated for use in weight management (Saxenda\u2063 and Wegovy) \u200cincludes information about their potential side effects, including pancreatitis, acute gallbladder\u200b disease, ileus, and delayed gastric emptying,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n<p>Novo Nordisk also noted that similar information is included in the \u2064product\u2064 labeling for their GLP-1RA diabetes medicines (Ozempic,\u2062 Rybelsus,\u2062 and Victoza). \u201cNovo Nordisk stands\u2063 behind \u200bthe safety and efficacy of all of our\u2062 GLP-1RA \u200bmedicines when\u2063 used consistent\u200b with the\u200c product\u200c labeling and approved indications,\u201d the company said.<\/p>\n<p>Novo Nordisk pointed out\u2063 that \u2064several drugs were not on the market for much of \u200bthe 2006-2020 study period. Wegovy was not yet approved, Saxenda \u2062was approved in 2014, Victoza in 2010, and Ozempic \u2062in\u2062 2017.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> \u200cWhat precautions should healthcare professionals take when prescribing and monitoring patients \u2064using Ozempic and Wegovy, considering the potential\u200c rare \u2062but serious side effects<\/h2>\n<p><span>  The \u2062new diabetes drugs\u200c Ozempic and Wegovy\u2062 have gained popularity for their effectiveness in weight loss. However,\u200d recent evidence\u200b suggests that these medications \u2064may have rare but\u2064 serious side effects.<\/p>\n<p>According \u200cto a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cdc-backtracks-on-covid-guidance-as-damning-studies-mount\/\" title=\"CDC Backtracks on COVID Guidance as Damning Studies Mount\">research letter published<\/a> in the Journal of the American Medical Association\u200c (JAMA), users of these medications\u2063 have an increased risk of three rare, yet severe, stomach conditions\u200d in \u2063addition to common side \u200beffects like nausea, vomiting, and \u200cdiarrhea.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Jessica Folek, director of bariatric surgery at\u200d Northwell Long Island Jewish Forest Hills in New \u200bYork, who was not associated with the study, emphasizes the importance of patients being aware of the potential for\u2062 severe gastrointestinal side effects when \u200cstarting these medications.<\/p>\n<p>The study involved 16 million patients\u2062 and revealed \u2064that diabetic\u2063 patients using these medications already \u2062had higher baseline risks of gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying)\u2063 and pancreatitis. Previous research has also shown increased risks in diabetic patients using these drugs.<\/p>\n<p>It is crucial for healthcare \u2062professionals to accurately assess the risks\u2063 and benefits of these medications for individual patients. Any potential side effects should be carefully\u200d considered and\u200c discussed with patients before starting or continuing \u2063treatment.<\/p>\n<p>Weight loss \u200ddrugs have faced scrutiny in recent\u2063 years due to their potential adverse effects. Suicidal thoughts have been identified as a dark\u200b side effect associated with \u2063certain weight loss drugs. Therefore, it is crucial for\u2063 healthcare\u2062 providers \u2062to \u2062closely monitor patients using these medications and ensure that appropriate steps are taken to\u2063 address any potential\u200b risks.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, while diabetes drugs \u200dlike Ozempic and Wegovy have demonstrated \u200beffectiveness in weight loss, it is essential for patients and healthcare professionals to be aware of the\u200d potential rare but serious side effects \u2064associated with\u200d these medications. The decision to\u2063 use these \u200bdrugs\u200b should be made after careful consideration of the individual&#8217;s \u200cmedical\u2062 history and risk factors. Ongoing monitoring and communication between patients and\u200b healthcare providers are crucial to ensure optimal patient outcomes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>diarrhea, these drugs have been linked to rare but severe side effects. Despite their effectiveness in aiding weight loss, caution should be exercised when using Ozempic and Wegovy due to potential risks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1807,"featured_media":2059411,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2059410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2059410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1807"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2059410"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2059410\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2059411"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2059410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2059410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2059410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}