As Ozempic and Wegovy are increasingly prescribed, three studies warn of a new serious side effect attributed to these drugs: stomach paralysis. Update with Dr Arnaud Cocaul, nutritionist.
Ozempic (semaglutide), an injectable antidiabetic drug, and Wegovy, a version of semaglutide approved for weight loss, are two drugs in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class. Used primarily to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes, these drugs have also been widely misused for weight loss. At the Digestive Disease Week 2024 conference, three studies reported gastrointestinal problems in certain patients, such as gastroparesis.
What is stomach paralysis?
Stomach paralysis, also called gastroparesis, is a functional digestive disorder defined by a slowdown in gastric emptying. In other words: the gastric muscles of the stomach are slowed down, they no longer contract to pass food through the digestive system.
Symptoms vary somewhat and may include nausea and vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and gastric reflux.
The problem ? During Digestive Disease week 2024, paralysis was reported as a new “potential side effect” of these two drugs – Ozempic and Wegovy.
“Researchers have consistently found that gastroparesis is more common in people who take GLP-1 than in those who do not. However, the importance of this discovery is still debated (…)“, explains the media Healthline.
Last summer, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had already reported this adverse effect.
NO to diets, YES to WW!
Gastroparesis could be amplified by a pre-existing disorder
While stomach paralysis remains rare in people taking Ozempic or Wegovy, this inconvenience could be due to a pre-existing “lazy stomach”. Another option: an illness could be responsible.
“Yes, yes semaglutide indeed slows gastric emptying, I have nevertheless never noticed stomach paralysis in my patients treated with Ozempic or Wegovy. Perhaps this effect is amplified in people who do not meet the criteria for taking medication?” underlines Dr Arnaud Cocaul, nutritionist doctor.
Another possibility: “An underlying neurological pathology, such as multiple sclerosis, could amplify this paralysis“, explains the expert.
Pending future research on this effect, it is not recommended to take Ozempic or Wegovy without a prescription or medical advice.
