Weight-Loss Drugs Spark Rising Concern Over Side Effects

As the popularity of weight loss medications surges, a growing chorus of medical professionals are voicing concerns regarding the adverse side effects linked to drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. These medications, known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists/receptors, have been associated with a range of worrying health issues.

Reported Adverse Effects

Numerous individuals using these drugs have reported experiencing a variety of side effects. These range from digestive problems to vision changes, and even more serious conditions such as erectile dysfunction and, in some tragic cases, suicidal ideation. These findings highlight potential risks associated with GLP-1 agonists.

Penny Ward, a physician at King’s College London, noted that real-world use often reveals more side effects than clinical trials. “Rarer side effects may emerge as more patients take these medicines in clinical practice, simply as a result of the much larger number of people treated than were included in the clinical development trials,” she told DW. “This is why we continue to monitor the safety of medicines on the market.”

Studies Highlight Troubling Links

Several studies have investigated the potential dangers, revealing concerning connections. Last summer, research from Harvard indicated a link between semaglutide, the active compound in Ozempic and Wegovy, and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This condition restricts blood flow to the eyes, potentially causing blindness. A study indicated that individuals with diabetes using semaglutide faced a fourfold increase in NAION risk compared to the general population. A new study by Cleveland Clinic found a statistically significant association between semaglutide and an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia (Source 2024).

Additional Risks Discovered

Further research from **Washington University** in St. Louis has revealed elevated rates of kidney issues and pancreatitis among GLP-1 users. Pancreatitis is also under investigation by medical regulators in the United Kingdom, adding to the growing apprehension surrounding these medications.

Gender Disparities in Research

The healthcare market analysis group Real Chemistry estimates that women constitute approximately 65% of GLP-1 users in the United States. Despite this, few studies account for how these drugs affect different genders. **Karolina Skibicka**, a neuroendocrinologist at the **University of Calgary** in Canada, emphasized the need for more inclusive research. “We need studies which include women,” **Skibicka** told DW. “Women show unique side-effects to many pharmacotherapies, and still [in] most studies women are often underrepresented at various stages of testing.”

Even though **Skibicka** acknowledges that the advantages of GLP-1 drugs, when used as directed, generally outweigh the risks, she notes the importance of informed decision-making between doctors and their patients.