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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.
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…”
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
Table of Contents
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!