Just two months after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) issued a safety signal citing concerns about a possible link to all types of thyroid cancer in people using Ozempic, doctors are sounding the alarm on even more dangerous health risks associated with the popular weight loss and diabetes medication. Negative health outcomes reportedly associated with the popular weight-loss drugs include stomach paralysis, potential surgery complications, and an increased suicide risk.1 2
Semaglutide, sold under brand names like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, promotes significant weight loss by mimicking the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1, which slows the passage of food through the stomach and keeps people feeling fuller longer. However, for a growing number of consumers, the drug slowed digestion so much that it causes severe gastroparesis or stomach paralysis. Doctors are reporting more and more cases of that rare but irreversible condition following the widespread use of the new weight loss drugs, with latent effects of gastroparesis including cyclic vomiting syndrome—a condition that causes patients to vomit multiple times per day even after stopping use of the drug.2 2
Semaglutide-Related Gastroparesis Can Exacerbate Diabetes, Cause Deadly Complications
Gastroparesis is a long-term, chronic condition that not only affects quality of life but can have deadly complications in some cases, including exacerbating diabetes, the chronic condition the drug was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help manage it in the first place. The delayed movement of food through the digestive tract can cause unpredictable and dangerous blood sugar changes that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and damage to vital organs. Dehydration from persistent vomiting can also result in malnutrition, which can be life-threatening.3
Ozempic drugmaker Novo Nordisk, in response to growing reports of gastroparesis in consumers, said in a statement, “Gastrointestinal (GI) events are well-known side effects of the GLP-1 class. For semaglutide, the majority of GI side effects are mild to moderate in severity and of short duration. GLP-1’s are known to cause a delay in gastric emptying, as noted in the label of each of our GLP-1 RA medications. Symptoms of delayed gastric emptying, nausea and vomiting are listed as side effects.”4
American Society of Anesthesiologists Warns of Serious Surgery Complications Following Ozempic Use
Gastroparesis is not the only stomach-related side effect heightening health concerns: The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) warned last month that patients who continue using Ozempic prior to elective surgeries that include anesthesia can cause food regurgitation, even if they have fasted, resulting in stomach acid penetrating the lungs, causing pneumonia and other serious problems.
“While there is currently a lack of scientific data on how GLP-1 receptor agonists affect patients having surgery and interact with anesthesia, we’ve received anecdotal reports that the delay in stomach emptying could be associated with an increased risk of regurgitation and aspiration of food into the airways and lungs during general anesthesia and deep sedation,” ASA President Michael W. Champeau, MD said in the July press release. “These complications can be serious, so we are providing guidance on when GLP-1 agonists should be stopped in advance of an elective procedure.”5
U.K. and E.U. Reviewing Suicide Reports Linked to Ozempic and Wegovy in Multiple Countries
The pitfalls of the burgeoning Ozempic craze don’t stop at an increased thyroid cancer risk, chronic, long-term stomach paralysis, and serious surgery complications. In fact, United Kingdom health authorities are currently investigating a correlation between suicidal thoughts and the type-2 diabetes and weight loss drugs after the U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) received reports of suicidal and self-injurious behavior between 2020 and 2023.4
Drugmaker Novo Nordisk responded to the report, saying, “We are currently reviewing safety data on the risk of suicidal thoughts and thoughts of self-harm associated with medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, used for treating both type 2 diabetes and weight loss,’ she says. “We will carefully consider all available evidence and communicate any further advice to patients and healthcare professionals as appropriate.” Authorities in the European Union (E.U.) launched a similar investigation of the GLP-1 drugs a couple weeks earlier.6
FDA Lists Depression and Suicidal Thoughts as Potential Side Effects of Wegovy
As weight loss medications historically affect the nervous system, the FDA does require such drug packaging to display a warning about suicidal thoughts—but since Ozempic is only FDA-approved to treat diabetes and weight loss is an off-label prescription, no such warning exists on its packaging.
Wegovy, however, is the only FDA-approved GLP-1 medication for weight loss and the manufacturer product insert does list depression and suicidal thoughts as potential side effects. Therefore, while public health officials reiterate that the mounting reports of self-harm and suicidal thoughts aren’t proven to be causally related to semaglutide, Wegovy’s drug packaging does give some warning about “mental changes:
You should pay attention to any mental changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you,” Wegovy’s Indication and Important Safety Information states.⁷
As of June 30, 2023, the FDA received 190 reports of depression and suicide-related mental illnesses connected to Ozempic, along with 84 reports connected to Saxenda and 26 to Wegovy. A representative for Novo Nordisk said in a statement that the drugmaker is “committed to ensuring patient safety,” and “remains confident in the benefit-risk profile of the products.”8 9
Weight Loss Therapy Market to Exceed $100 Billion by End of Decade
As some pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer are considering cost cuts after demand for COVID products has plunged, the Ozempic frenzy has propelled drugmaker Novo Nordisk to Europe’s second-most valuable company with earnings and shares continuing to skyrocket to record highs. An expedited FDA review of Tirzepatide, also known as Mounjaro, is also in the works—along with over a dozen other weight loss therapies currently in development—after phase 3 clinical trials of the newer drug were published in July. Tirzepatide is currently approved to treat type-2 diabetes but manufacturer Eli Lily seeks to gain approval for weight loss.10 11
While Pfizer anticipates an uptick in its currently underperforming vaccines and antiviral treatments in the fall when COVID cases are projected to rise, the market for weight loss therapies has gained significant momentum and is slated to exceed $100 billion by the end of the decade.12
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Click here to view References:1 Baker A. Ozempic Weight Loss Drug Linked to Increased Risk of Thyroid Cancers. The Vaccine Reaction July 9, 2023.
2 Goodman B. They took blockbuster drugs for weight loss and diabetes. Now their stomachs are paralyzed. CNN July 25, 2023.
3 Higeura V. Can You Die From Gastroparesis? And How to Treat It. Healthline July 19, 2023.
4 Blanchet B. Ozempic and Wegovy Being Reviewed for Links to Suicide Risk. People Magazine July 28, 2023.
5 Press Release. Patients Taking Popular Medications for Diabetes and Weight Loss Should Stop Before Elective Surgery, ASA Suggests. American Society of Anesthesiologists June 29, 2023.
6 Constantino AK. UK investigates weight loss, diabetes drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic for suicide risks. CNBC July 26, 2023.
7 Indication and Important Safety Information. Wegovy.com. May 23, 2023: c2023.
8 Diaz A. I was suicidal on Ozempic — it’s not a miracle weight-loss drug for everyone. New York Post Aug. 14, 2023.
9 Bendix A. Should Ozempic come with a warning about a risk of suicidal thoughts? NBC News Aug. 1, 2023.
10 Satija B et al. Pfizer considers cost cuts as demand for COVID products falls. Reuters Aug. 1, 2023.
11 Skydsgaard N. Novo Nordisk extends U.S. supply curbs on weight-loss drug Wegovy. Reuters Aug. 10, 2023.
12 Murdoch J. 15 New Weight Loss Drugs on the Horizon. Good RX Health Aug. 3, 2023.
8 Responses
Yes, all of this including often waking up with soiled underpants in the middle of the night. I hope people stop going to Weight Watchers forever for this. I would never trust that slimy organization ever again.
Been trying to warn people to stay away from the sorcerer’s medicines. Some never listen or research for the truth on their own. With the advancements in modern medicine. One would think that the majority of the human race would be the healthiest people who ever lived. Instead, the health of the average person is worse off than some people who lived hundreds, or thousands of years ago. As far as I know, human health in the western world was better in the 1960’s and 70’s in the US than it is today. Something is seriously wrong with this picture. It lets me know that the fox is guarding the hen house. And that the conventional medical model usually amounts to nothing more than premature deaths and life-long diseases for those who seek healthcare within that corrupted and murderous system.
Well written and I wholeheartedly agree. We have the sickest nation that I can remember since I have been alive. They are killing the children and old folks with shots and also doing a real number on our domesticated pets too. They can stick their shots but just not in me.
Resorting to these drugs is probably supported by industrial strength advertising and medical propaganda. Losing weight by CHANGING WHAT ON EATS to more nourishing, fresh, low-toxin or toxin-free foods would not only help one normalize weight, but would help one look younger, feel better, and avoid illness. Where are the doctors? Who prescribes this crap? Shame on the docs who have been educated in medical school owned and operated by BigPharma, docs who don’t have the good sense or the courage to tell their patients to put down the junk food, and eat fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, unpasteurized whole dairy foods, eggs, fish, meat……and prepare them yourself. If your doc offers you drugs instead of good advice, walk out of his office…..and don’t pay the bill.
If one doesn’t take responsibility for one’s wellness or lack of it, one deserves what one gets.
To be skinny or alive? Wow, that’s a tuff decision to make.
Tell me about Qsymia drug for weight loss. Does it have the same effects. I see nothing out on any bad effects from the drug. Do you have any information on this drug that is in pill form. one pill a day.
We had a friend go out into the back yard and blow his brains out after taking these drugs for his type 2 diabetes. Not the type of person who would do something like that and never had any mental health problems. Total shock to everyone.
Side effects may include;……. Oh hell no, we’re not going to intentionally put something like that in our bodies. The key to weight loss is more nutritionally dense foods and keeping your metabolism at a consistently higher rate. Have a fatty steak, drink an extra beer, have a full glass of water each and every morning to boost start your metabolic process first thing, and get your fat but up to work out now and then. Try riding a bike. No prescription necessary. You can’t inject health or take some pill or get some procedure to separate a human apart from their own individual health management decisions. Real health happens in the gym, and more importantly, in the kitchen. Read the ingredients and if you would never cook with such an item making your own meals, do not buy the products. Non gmo verified and organic labeling matter.
Grow your own vegetables, as most city dwellers and flatlanders may have gone their entire lives never having consumed nutritionally dense foods. As big agriculture steams on, their insatiable desire for more yield for less expense has resulted in the majority of our food supply, even seemingly wholesome foods such as fresh produce, to have a nutritional profile which is half or less of that foods equivalent several decades ago. Even if a person could just grow a simple tomato plant or pepper in real soil without chemicals, they could get some better balance which if this became a normal routine, could completely alter their long term health outlook. Never count calories again, and instead turn up your metabolism and then measure your health by how much food you are consuming. When you consume less, this is where the concern is, and when you consume more, as long as that’s healthy food, this is the indicator you’re burning and resilient, metabolic processes rolling along in symbiotic harmony like they should.
Try Celtic Sea Salt for a better mineral profile. Take liquid iodine to jump start the process. Never drink a soda pop again, except for super special occasions. You’ll know you are there, when even when you try, you can no longer make it through a full soda pop. That’s because when you are digesting and processing as you should be, the sugar rush of a full pop will simply be too much. It is when you can drink pop after pop without concern that one is in the risk zone to suddenly crash, develop diabetes, and other health consequences. Certainly never ever reach for anything ‘diet’, ever again as long as you live, as that signifies more adulteration of food, a dangerous sugar substitute profile, less nutritional content, or all three.
As this symphony of high paid employees ‘analyze’ and ‘study the data’. Who’s still buying this? Peace sells, but who’s buying? Health sells, but who’s buying? They know darn well the best more efficient solution for the patients they deal with is better eating, but as they don’t sell the food, that’s simply not a prioritization for their ‘care protocols’.