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Grey Market Weight-Loss Drugs Surge: Doctors Warn of Serious Risks

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Weight loss drugs and stomach paralysis:​ New findings

Delayed ⁤gastric emptying, also known as gastroparesis, is a ‌more common side effect of GLP-1s than other diabetes and weight loss treatments, according to new research. Gastroparesis can range from mild symptoms to severe side⁣ effects, including refractory ⁢symptoms, the inability to orally consume nutrition and ​frequent ‌hospital admissions.

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weight-loss drugs linked ⁣to ⁢stomach paralysis,⁢ other serious ‌gastrointestinal ⁣conditions

“There have been‌ anecdotal reports of some patients using these drugs for weight loss and⁤ than presenting with repeated episodes ​of⁤ nausea and⁢ vomiting secondary to a condition​ referred to⁣ as gastroparesis,” said senior author Dr. ⁢Mahyar Etminan,an epidemiologist and associate professor in the ‍department of ophthalmology and‌ visual sciences at the UBC faculty of medicine. “But until now…”

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Patients⁤ Are Suing Over Alleged Side Effects of weight-Loss‍ Drugs

But clinical ‌trials are artificial environments: In the real world, 37%⁣ of people using a GLP-1 drug for either diabetes or ​weight ⁢loss had quit ‌a year after starting, according to 2024⁣ research…

Doctors have even reported how despite such emergencies and being advised to ⁣stop abuse of the medication, users repeat the injections ⁢on their own when ⁣they regain the lost weight. This leads to another bout of gastroparesis.

Doctors flag that while there are fewer cases of⁤ patients‌ having⁣ injected themselves with tirzepatide,⁤ more patients⁣ are overdosing themselves with both oral and injectable ⁤semaglutide.“That’s because semaglutide costs‍ half of tirzepatide. ​Since these drugs have to be taken for long durations for them to take effect, cost is a considerable factor,” says ⁤bariatric surgeon Dr Manish Khaitan.

“We have seen 11 patients on self-medicated semaglutide⁤ come in ‌with‌ gastroparesis over the past ​seven months.and these are⁣ only those who have declared​ their drug use. There‌ must surely be ⁣more. all of the patients‍ I’ve seen are under 35 who hope for a speedy way to​ get thin ‍in a short span of time,” he says.

Dr Shah recounts more such cases in Ahmedabad‍ itself. “we ⁢had​ a 40-year-old businessman, ​weighing 102 kg,…Source

Weight Loss Drugs: The ⁣Double-Edged Sword of Gastroparesis

In the quest⁢ for rapid weight ⁢loss, many individuals are turning to medications like ⁤semaglutide. However, the unsupervised use ‌of these drugs⁤ can lead‍ to severe side effects, including gastroparesis—a condition that can significantly complicate medical treatments and even lead to suicidal thoughts.

A Case of Overdose

A recent case highlights the dangers‍ of improper usage. A patient who ⁢had been ⁤taking oral semaglutide for ​one and a⁣ half ‍months rapidly increased the dosage⁢ from 3 mg ⁢to⁢ the maximum limit of 14 mg, instead of the recommended​ four-week interval. This‌ led to the development of notable gastroparesis. dr. Khaitan, a bariatric surgeon,⁤ explains, “Most of his patients⁤ who overdosed⁤ are from ​Ahmedabad and Surat, but we⁢ have also seen cases from Hyderabad and Bengaluru.”

The Risks of Unsupervised Use

Gastroparesis, or delayed⁣ gastric emptying, can‌ pose additional‍ risks during life-saving surgeries. Dr. Shah recalls a middle-aged patient who came in with a crushed leg after an accident. Before operating, the medical team had to drain the food from his gut, revealing his unsupervised use​ of weight loss‌ drugs.

An All-India ​Problem

Dr.Khaitan notes⁤ that the majority of his overdosed​ patients are ‍from major​ cities like ‌Ahmedabad, Surat, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. Most experienced gastroparesis within four months of using‍ semaglutide, with one case after six ‍months.⁣ A 23-year-old man ​took the medication for a‌ year, lost ⁣13⁤ kg, and then developed gastroparesis.

Resolving Gastroparesis

Even ⁢though⁢ some⁢ appetite loss is expected with ⁢weight loss drugs,⁢ users must stop ⁤taking them once gastroparesis sets⁣ in. Fortunately, once the drug effect wanes in ⁢10 days, gastroparesis begins resolving itself, according to doctors.

The Role of Lifestyle

These weight loss drugs are not a magic pill and cannot work ⁢on their own without diet,​ lifestyle, ​exercise, ‌and sleep ⁣corrections. Dr. Shah emphasizes, “People want ⁣to‍ lose weight without effort. Without changing their lifestyle, they expect miracles due ⁣to the onslaught of social media. Yet with the guided⁢ protocol, you can ‍even tame side effects.”

Other Side Effects

Besides gastroparesis,there is a loss of gluteal​ (pelvic area)⁤ and face ‌muscle ​mass rather than the⁢ abdomen,which was the main target. In severe cases, users stopped ​the medication despite seeing results.​ Another bariatric surgeon recounts how ⁣a woman patient started getting suicidal thoughts ‍and⁢ stopped taking the injection. By mid-january ⁢2025,she visited with 120 kg of weight (rebound ⁤weight ⁤gain),leading to bariatric surgery.

Long-Term Effects

dr. ⁣Khaitan warns that the long-term effects of these drugs are unknown until they are made available in India. He advises, “If you ⁢can spend so much money to ‍buy this medication, you can spend some⁤ money to consult a doctor on how to use them.”

Summary of Key Points

| Key​ Point ⁣ ⁤ ‍ ​ | Details ⁣⁢ ⁤ ​ |
|———————————–|————————————————————————-|
| Patient Overdose | Increased dosage from 3 mg to 14 mg in 1.5 months⁢ ​ ⁣ ⁢ |
| ​ Side Effects ⁤ ​ ⁤ ‍ | Gastroparesis, loss of gluteal ⁣and face muscle ⁤mass⁢ ⁤ |
| Geographical Distribution ⁣ | Ahmedabad, Surat, Hyderabad, Bengaluru⁤ ​ ⁢ ⁣‍ ⁢ ‌ ⁤ |
| Resolution⁣ Time ​ ‌ | Gastroparesis⁣ resolves within 10 days ⁣ ​ ⁤ ‍ ‌ ‌ ​ ⁢ |
| Lifestyle Importance ⁢ | Diet, lifestyle, exercise, and sleep corrections required ‍ ⁢ ⁣ ⁣ ⁢|
| Long-Term Effects | Unknown until drugs are available in India ⁤ ⁤ ‌ ⁢ |

Conclusion

While‍ weight loss drugs like⁢ semaglutide can be effective, they must be used under medical supervision to avoid severe side⁢ effects. Proper lifestyle⁣ changes​ are crucial for long-term‍ success and to mitigate potential risks.Consulting a healthcare professional is essential to ensure safe and effective use of these medications.

For more data⁤ on weight loss drugs and their side effects, visit MedlinePlus.


engage with us on​ social‍ media ⁣to​ share your experiences and insights on weight loss journeys. Use the⁤ hashtag #WeightLossJourney for a chance to be featured!

Q: Can you ‌elaborate​ on the ‍side effects you’ve observed in patients who have overdosed on semaglutide?

Dr.Manish Khaitan: One of the moast severe ‍side effects we’ve seen is gastroparesis—a condition characterized by delayed gastric emptying. We’ve seen 11 ​patients‍ under 35 develop this over just seven ⁤months. One patient, in particular,⁤ increased his dosage from 3 mg to 14 mg in a span‍ of one and a half months, which led to notable gastroparesis. This can significantly complicate ⁢medical treatments and even lead to life-threatening situations.

Dr. Shah: We’ve had cases where patients come in with surgical​ emergencies, and we end up discovering thier unsupervised use of weight loss drugs.For instance, a middle-aged patient came in with a crushed leg after an accident, and we found food remnants in his gut, revealing his improper medication use.

Q: How widespread is this issue across India?

Dr. Khaitan: The majority of​ our patients with overdoses are from‍ major cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Hyderabad, ⁢and Bengaluru.Most⁤ experienced gastroparesis within four months⁤ of⁤ using semaglutide, with one case appearing after six months. A 23-year-old man took the medication ‌for a year, ‍lost 13 kg, then developed gastroparesis.

Q: How can‌ gastroparesis be treated or managed?

Dr. Shah: While some appetite loss ⁣is ⁣expected with weight loss drugs,users must stop⁢ taking them once gastroparesis sets in. Fortunately, once the ‍drug’s effect wanes in‍ about 10 days, gastroparesis begins to resolve itself according to our observations.

Q:‍ What is the role of ‍lifestyle in dealing with these drugs?

Dr. Shah: These weight loss drugs are ⁣not a magic⁤ solution and require diet, lifestyle, exercise, and sleep corrections. People often want to lose weight without effort, but without guided lifestyle changes, they can’t achieve their goals safely ⁣or effectively. social media pressure exacerbates this issue.

Q: Besides gastroparesis, what ‍are some other side effects you’ve observed?

Dr. Khaitan: ​Other side effects include loss of muscle mass‍ in‍ the gluteal (pelvic area) and facial regions, rather than ⁣the abdomen. In severe cases, users stop the medication even if​ they see results. We’ve also‌ seen instances where patients experienced suicidal thoughts and rebounded weight gain, eventually requiring bariatric surgery.

Q: What are‍ the long-term effects of these drugs, and what‌ advice do you have for users?

Dr. Khaitan: The long-term effects of these drugs are unknown until they are widely available in⁤ India.However,‍ if individuals are willing to spend a important amount of money on these medications, they should also allocate time and resources to consult a doctor on ‌how‌ to use them effectively and safely.

Conclusion:

While weight loss drugs like semaglutide‌ can be effective, they must be used under medical supervision‌ to avoid severe side ‌effects. Proper lifestyle changes are crucial for long-term success and to mitigate potential‍ risks. Consulting a healthcare professional is essential for safe and effective use of these medications.

For more data on weight loss drugs and their ‍side effects, visit MedlinePlus.


engage with us on⁣ social⁢ media to share your experiences and insights on⁢ weight loss journeys. Use the hashtag #WeightLossJourney for a chance to ⁤be featured!

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