According to a compelling study from the University of British Columbia, the use of diabetes drugs, such as Ozempic, for weight loss poses a higher risk of developing pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, and stomach paralysis. In contrast, these potential health hazards are less likely with medications explicitly approved for managing obesity.
The researchers intensively analyzed random health insurance claim records of 16 million patients in the United States over 14 years, from 2006 to 2020. They particularly focused on the use of semaglutide drugs—one of which lists the active ingredient as Ozempic. Additionally, they scrutinized the use of Victoza, an alternative medication containing liraglutide.
The published study in the esteemed Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) deliberately excluded diabetic patients. Instead, the researchers sought to compare gastrointestinal harms among individuals with a history of obesity. They examined those who used either one of the two different types of diabetes drugs against those opting for the weight-loss pill, bupropion-naltrexone — widely recognized under the brand name Contrave.
Under their meticulous scope were a diverse sample of patients: 4,144 on liraglutide, 613 taking semaglutide, and 654 using bupropion-naltrexone. The prestigious team of researchers led by Dr. Mahyar Etminan, an esteemed epidemiologist and senior author of the study, pooled the semaglutides and liraglutides into a single category — GLP-agonists. These mimic the actions of GLP-1, a hormone crucial for controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes patients.
Given the nature of their research, it remains unknown whether a specific type of drug carries a higher health risk or whether they’re equally problematic. However, the findings reveal some alarming figures. When compared to bupropion-naltrexone, GLP-1 agonists emerged with unwelcome associations — a nine times higher risk of pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas causing severe abdominal pain, and more than quadruple the risk of bowel obstruction leading to nausea and vomiting.
Moreover, the study noted that the diabetes drugs used untraditionally for obesity treatment are nearly four times more likely to cause gastroparesis or stomach paralysis. Such a condition prevents food from exiting the stomach to the small intestine, causing vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain. A somewhat higher incidence of biliary disease, affecting the gallbladder, was also reported but did not reach statistical significance.
Dr. Etminan pointed out that up to two percent of patients using semaglutide and liraglutide medications for weight loss developed gastrointestinal problems. He warned about the large-scale impact of this seemingly minimal percentage, cautioning that this one percent could turn into a sizable number, given the millions of users. His primary concern is the long-term adverse effects, finding the lack of data worryingly deficient, particularly for individuals using these medications solely for weight loss, not diabetes.
Injectable once a week, Ozempic comes in a ready-to-use, disposable multi-dose pen. This popularity stems in part from its ability to slow digestion and keep food in the stomach for longer periods, helping users feel full. Despite their popularity, these medications come with several known side-effects, including gallbladder disease and pancreatitis.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced an update on Ozempic’s warning label, revealing links to a life-threatening intestinal blockage named ileus, leading to potential organ damage. Despite this, the Canadian monograph does not carry any warning about ileus.
The study’s revelations spark fresh concerns—demanding that Health Canada include a gastroparesis risk warning on labels, allowing patients to make informed decisions. However, the medication manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, defended its products’ stance, acknowledging the known gastrointestinal side-effects while emphasizing their mild to moderate impact and short duration.
However, this study, the first of its grand scale, raises valid concerns about the harmful gastrointestinal effects on non-diabetic users trying these drugs for weight loss. These revelations will undoubtedly mark a stepping stone for critical investigations and policy changes, ensuring user safety in this constantly evolving medical landscape.
