- There has recently been a lot of attention around using GLP-1 agonists for weight loss.
- Past research shows that GLP-1 agonists have potential side effects, including stomach paralysis.
- New research from the University of British Columbia provides more evidence linking the use of GLP-1 agonists with an increased risk for stomach paralysis, pancreatitis, and bowel obstruction.
Over the last year, the news and social media have been saturated with headlines, advertisements, and other information about using medications like Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss.
Previous research has shown these medications — which are a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists — to be
However, just like all medications, GLP-1 agonists also have potential
And because one of the things GLP-1 agonists do is
Now, new research from the University of British Columbia provides more evidence linking the use of GLP-1 agonists with an increased risk for serious
This study was recently published in
According to Mohit Sodhi, researcher and a fourth-year medical student at the University of British Columbia and the first author of the new study, he and his colleagues decided to study the effect of GLP-1 agonists on the gastrointestinal system after noticing a person in the emergency room who had significant unexplained nausea and vomiting.
“Of note, he recently started Ozempic for weight loss,” he explained to Medical News Today. “I had seen a number of anecdotal reports, case reports, and literature describing similar symptoms as this particular patient. Additionally, millions around the world have started using these medications to assist in [their] weight loss goals.”
This is not the first research to examine a link between the use of GLP-1 agonists and potential gastrointestinal problems.
A study published in January 2022 linked
Research published in December 2022 also reported the use of GLP-1 receptors was
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 agonists) are a type of medication used to help manage type 2 diabetes.
- tell the pancreas to release insulin
- block the secretion of
glucagon , a hormone used to raise blood sugar levels - slow digestion so food stays in the stomach longer, making you feel fuller for longer.
Types of GLP-1 agonists include:
semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus)liraglutide (Saxenda and Victoza)exenatide (Byetta)dulaglutide (Trulicity)tirzepatide (Mounjaro) — targets both GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP ) hormones.
Most GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda, are injected medications. Rybelsus comes in pill form.
Currently, only Wegovy and Saxenda are
However, researchers show there is a growing number of people without diabetes
The amount of weight a person may lose on a GLP-1 agonist varies. Previous research shows the amount can vary between
How much weight is lost depends on the person’s health and what lifestyle changes they make, such as exercise and a healthy diet.
For this study, Sodhi and his team examined health insurance claim records for about 16 million people in the United States to look for prescriptions of either semaglutide or liraglutide between 2006 and 2020.
The study included data from people with a recent history of obesity and excluded those with diabetes or who have been prescribed another
Scientists analyzed the data to see how many people developed one of four gastrointestinal conditions — pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, gastroparesis, and
Researchers found that the participants who took GLP-1 agonists had a little over nine times higher risk of developing pancreatitis, 4.22 times higher risk of having a bowel obstruction, and 3.67 times increased risk for gastroparesis, compared to people who took
“We are not entirely surprised [by these results]. There have been many anecdotal reports and case reports in the literature of these adverse events in patients using these medications for weight loss. However, no epidemiologic study investigated this risk,” Sodhi said.
“We are strong proponents for informed patient consent. We believe it is crucial for patients to have a full understanding of the potential adverse events associated with any medical therapy that they choose to pursue. We also hope that our study can help inform healthcare providers and make them aware of these risks,” he added.
After reviewing this study, Dr. Rami Bailony, an obesity specialist and CEO of Enara, who was not involved in the research, told MNT that his initial reaction was one of cautious interest as it is important to interpret the results in a broader context.
“While relative risk percentages might sound alarming, the absolute risk, or the actual number of people affected, can be quite small,” said Dr. Bailony.
“It’s essential to differentiate between the two to give patients a clear understanding of the real-world implications. While statements like ‘a nine times increased risk’ can sound alarming at first glance, it’s crucial to understand what that actually means in real-world terms,” he explained.
“When the study says there’s a nine times increased risk of pancreatitis, it’s speaking in relative terms. But if we delve into the absolute risk, the actual numbers paint a different picture. For instance, if we look at pancreatitis and its reported incidence rate, it means that for every 1,000 people taking the medication for a year, roughly eight might experience the condition. So, while the relative risk seems high, the absolute number of people affected is relatively small.”
— Dr. Rami Bailony
“This distinction between relative and absolute risk is vital for patients to understand, so they can make informed decisions based on the real-world implications of the data, rather than just the headline numbers,” he said.
MNT also spoke with Dr. Mir Ali, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, about this study.
He found the results unsurprising because one of the mechanisms of the GLP-1 agonists is to slow
“So it’s not that far a stretch to see how some people may be more sensitive to that. If patients have some indication that they may have poor stomach emptying or other intestinal symptoms, then we may steer them away from GLP-1 agonists and there are other options available,” he said.
For the next steps in research on this type of research, Dr. Bailony said he would like to see more controlled studies that account for variables like smoking and gender differences, which can influence the outcomes.
“It would be valuable to have matched cohorts for a more apples-to-apples comparison,” he continued.
“Also, it’s essential to communicate the results in terms of both relative and absolute risks, helping patients and healthcare professionals alike to make informed decisions. As always, the safety and well-being of our patients are paramount, so continuous monitoring and research into these medications are essential,” he said.
Dr. Ali also said for anyone looking to lose weight, no matter the health prevention aid they try — including medications, surgery, and
“Nothing works if the patient doesn’t really make an effort to change their behavior. And so the concern is even with medications — they’ll help them lose weight and they may lose weight while they’re on the medications, [but without] long-term changes, when they stop the medication they can regain the weight. So, the goal is to make healthy long-term changes that will help keep the weight off.”
— Dr. Mir Ali