It has been just reported that weight loss drugs trigger new risks. Check out the latest reports about this unexpected effect below.
Weight loss drugs trigger new health risks
A new study suggests that Ozempic and Wegovy, two popular drugs used for weight loss and diabetes, could increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia in people undergoing certain medical procedures.
Aspiration pneumonia occurs when an individual inhales foreign material, like food, into their lungs. This foreign material may contain microbes that could lead to infection and potentially cause pneumonia.
A study was recently published in the journal Gastroenterology on March 27, which found that people who take diabetes and obesity medications such as Wegovy and Ozempic (known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists or GLP-1RA drugs) face a higher risk of aspiration pneumonia if they undergo an endoscopy.
An endoscopy is a medical procedure in which a tube-like scope is inserted down the patient’s throat to allow the physician to examine the inside of the body.
The study suggests that those scheduled for an endoscopy who take GLP-1RA drugs should consider stopping the medication for a few days or weeks before the appointment to prevent any potential complications.
Researchers examined data from around 1 million Americans who underwent endoscopy procedures between January 2018 and December 2020.
According to Cedars-Sinai, the study found that individuals who were prescribed GLP-1RA medications had a 33% higher risk of experiencing aspiration pneumonia compared to those who did not take the drugs.
“When we apply this risk to the more than 20 million endoscopies that are performed in the U.S. each year, there may actually be a large number of cases where aspiration could be avoided if the patient safely stops their GLP-1RA medication in advance,” said study co-author Ali Rezaie, director of bioinformatics at the MAST Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
“Aspiration during or after endoscopy can be devastating,” he said.
“If significant, it can lead to respiratory failure, ICU admission, and even death. Even mild cases may require close monitoring, respiratory support and medications including antibiotics. It is important we take all possible precautions to prevent aspiration from occurring.”
