Weight Loss Drugs Linked to Gastrointestinal Issues, Rare Complications
New reports highlight potential side effects associated with semaglutide and tirzepatide, medications increasingly used for weight loss and obesity management. While offering important benefits for individuals struggling with these conditions, both drugs-belonging to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class-carry a range of potential adverse effects, from common digestive discomfort to rare but serious complications.
The most frequently reported side effects involve the gastrointestinal system. A high percentage of users experience nausea and diarrhea, often followed by constipation, vomiting, and abdominal pain. These issues are typically mild to moderate in severity, particularly during initial use or dosage increases, and often subside over time. However, a small subset of patients may experience gastrointestinal distress severe enough to warrant discontinuation of the medication.
Beyond these common effects, semaglutide and tirzepatide have been linked to rarer, more serious health concerns.These include pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), bowel obstruction, and gastroparesis – a condition causing stomach paralysis. Allergic reactions, perhaps leading to anaphylaxis-characterized by hives, swelling, and loss of consciousness-are also possible, though infrequent, in individuals with sensitivities to the drugs.
Moreover, individuals with type 2 diabetes taking semaglutide or tirzepatide in combination with insulin or sulfonylureas might potentially be at increased risk of hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood sugar.
Recent media attention has also focused on cosmetic changes sometiems referred to as “Ozempic face” and “Ozempic butt.” These effects are not directly caused by the medications themselves, but rather are a result of rapid and ample weight loss. Weight loss can alter facial and body contours, potentially leading to looser skin, and, in some cases, hair loss or fatigue.
