Why Aren't We Told About Hidden Risks Of Weight Loss Medication?

Many people turn to slimming tablets in their quest for the perfect figure. These medications are often prescribed for diabetes but have become increasingly popular for weight loss due to their immediate effectiveness in helping people lose weight. However, individuals who rely on these tablets should be aware of the risks involved.

The story of Trish Webster, a 56-year-old Australian woman, serves as a grim cautionary tale, shedding light on the concealed hazards of weight-loss medications. 

Trish Webster wanted something that many can relate to: the desire to look and feel her best for her daughter's wedding. Like countless others, she was searching for a solution to shed those extra pounds and attain the ideal shape she envisioned for herself. In her pursuit of this dream, she turned to Ozempic, a medication initially intended for managing type 2 diabetes but widely used as a weight-loss drug.

Ozempic operates by mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1, a hormone that retards the digestion of food and provides a sense of fullness for extended periods. This mechanism has, no doubt, been hailed as a breakthrough in the battle against obesity. Yet, behind this façade of hope and promise lurk the potential dangers that Trish Webster tragically experienced.

The Side Effect: Ileus

Trish Webster's story took a lethal turn when she fell victim to a condition known as "ileus." This condition occurs when Ozempic, in its attempt to slow down digestion and make one feel full, goes awry. It can result in a severe slowing of the stomach's functioning or even blockages in the intestines. The United States Food and Drug Administration had received 18 reports of this condition associated with Ozempic by late September.

The Dark Side Of Weight-Loss Medications

Webster, determined to shed the extra weight, also used another prescription injection, Saxenda, alongside Ozempic. Over five months, she managed to lose around 35 pounds, proving the effectiveness of these medications. However, the drugs made her get sicker.

On January 16, just a few months before her daughter's wedding, Webster's spouse discovered her in an unconscious state, a brown liquid emanating from her mouth. While he initiated CPR, Webster did not make it through that night, and her death was attributed to acute gastrointestinal illness. Her husband has unequivocally held these medications responsible for her untimely demise.

"If I knew that could happen, she wouldn’t have been taking it," Webster's husband lamented. The shock of discovering that a medication intended to bring about positive change could have such devastating consequences is a grim reminder of the risks that accompany the pursuit of a perfect body.

The Hidden Dangers Unveiled

The manufacturer of Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, defended its product, claiming that ileus was only reported after the drug was already on the market, implying that they were unaware of this risk. However, they are not alone in facing allegations related to their weight-loss medications. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company are embroiled in lawsuits, with accusations that their widely-used weight-loss medications may lead to severe gastrointestinal issues, including gastroparesis or "stomach paralysis."

Trish Webster's story is not an isolated incident. Concerns and inquiries have surfaced from across the United States regarding other weight-loss medications, including Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Saxenda. The FDA itself updated the Ozempic label in September to acknowledge complaints of intestinal blockage in some individuals who have used the medication.

Why It's Time To Address Weight-Loss Drugs And Its Serious Side Effects

While effective in helping people with diabetes lose about 15% of their body weight, these drugs are also linked to some risk of gastrointestinal side effects, including inflammation in the pancreas and obstructions of the digestive system.

But how common are these risks to people who don’t have diabetes and are increasingly taking the drugs to lose weight? On Sept. 28, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked manufacturers of semaglutide drugs to include a warning on the medication label about the possible risk of intestinal blockage after receiving 8,500 reports of the condition from both diabetic and non-diabetic users.

Now, in a research letter published in JAMA, scientists at the University of British Columbia provide additional data on the magnitude of those risks for people taking them purely for weight loss. They report that among 4,700 people without diabetes taking some form of GLP-1 and 650 people taking an older, different combination of weight loss drugs, those taking GLP-1s had a nine times greater risk of pancreatitis and a four times higher risk of both obstructed bowels and gastroparesis, which is a slower emptying of the stomach into the intestines. The absolute risk of these side effects remains small, but given how many people are starting to take the medications not to treat diabetes but purely to lose a few pounds, these side effects could become significant.

For people with diabetes, who are more vulnerable to other health complications related to uncontrolled blood sugar, such as circulation issues and kidney and eye abnormalities, the benefits in controlling those conditions may outweigh the gastrointestinal risks. But for those without diabetes, those risks may outweigh the benefits of losing a few pounds.

Suggested reading: How To Thread Thin Line Between Weight Advice And Fat Shaming