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Doctors Warn of Severe Side Effects as Popular Weight-Loss Drugs Face Legal Scrutiny
Clear Facts
- Doctors are warning patients about potential side effects of popular weight-loss drugs.
- A Pennsylvania woman is suing Novo Nordisk after severe side effects from Wegovy and Ozempic.
- GLP-1 medications, though effective, carry risks that require close medical supervision.
The increasing demand for weight-loss medications has prompted doctors to issue warnings about their potential side effects. As more individuals turn to these drugs, medical professionals are emphasizing the importance of understanding the risks involved.
Dr. Christopher McGowan, a gastroenterologist and obesity medicine specialist, highlighted that anti-obesity medications “exert potent effects throughout the body, particularly the gastrointestinal tract.”
Given these potent effects, McGowan stressed that “close supervision, monitoring and medical oversight are critical for all patients.”
The rise of GLP-1 medications signifies a shift in the management of obesity. However, McGowan cautioned that these drugs should not be taken lightly. Their powerful effects are the reason why product warnings include mentions of nausea, vomiting, gastroparesis, and bowel obstruction.
Recently, a Pennsylvania woman filed a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk after experiencing severe side effects from Wegovy and Ozempic, which led to emergency surgery and the loss of her colon. The lawsuit claims the drugs did not adequately warn patients about these risks.
Novo Nordisk responded to the lawsuit, stating that the allegations are “without merit,” and the company intends “to vigorously defend against these claims.”
While McGowan believes the warnings for these drugs are adequate, he acknowledged that all medications carry risks that patients must consider.
“More cases of severe side effects are likely to emerge,” McGowan noted, adding that this should “serve as a caution to anyone starting a GLP-1 medication.”
“There is a misconception that these medications are universally effective and universally safe. That is not true,” McGowan emphasized. Although clinical trials have shown a favorable safety profile, patients need to be informed about potential risks.
McGowan pointed out that some patients have ended up in the hospital, requiring surgery for gallbladder disease, and have experienced dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, and even kidney failure.
Aspiration, pneumonia, and procedural complications have also been reported in patients using these medications due to retained gastric contents during anesthesia. “Though exceedingly rare, these represent serious adverse events,” McGowan said.
He also mentioned “emerging concerns about potential suicidal ideation,” which, while not yet proven, underscores the complexity of treating obesity with medications that affect the brain.
Novo Nordisk informed that GLP-1 medicines have been used to treat Type 2 diabetes for nearly two decades and obesity for almost ten years. This includes semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, and liraglutide, found in Saxenda and Victoza.
The company stands by the safety and efficacy of its GLP-1 medicines when used as indicated and under the care of a licensed healthcare professional.
Novo Nordisk explained that semaglutide has been extensively studied in clinical development programs and real-world evidence studies, accumulating over 9.5 million patient years of clinical experience.
The known risks and benefits of its drugs are detailed in their FDA-approved product labeling. Ozempic, approved by the FDA in 2017 for Type 2 diabetes treatment, is not approved for chronic weight management despite weight loss being a common side effect.
In 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy for chronic weight management in adults who are obese or overweight with at least one weight-related condition. Earlier this year, Wegovy was also approved for heart disease prevention after a study showed it reduced the risk of serious heart problems by 20%.
While both Wegovy and Ozempic contain semaglutide, they are distinct products with different indications, dosages, and prescribing information. Novo Nordisk emphasized that these products are not interchangeable and should only be used within their approved indications.
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