Such side effects remain rare and must be weighed against health problems linked to obesity, which can be avoided through weight loss. However, the experts also emphasize that the results show that it is important to only prescribe the medicines to patients who really benefit from them, are informed about the risks and are monitored by a professional.
“Because millions of people take the drugs, hundreds of thousands of people may experience side effects,” the University of British Colombia said in a news release.
The researchers examined the molecule semaglutide, used in diabetes medications Ozempic and Wegovy, and liraglutide, used in Saxenda. The medicines are all produced by Novo Nordisk. The treatments are more effective for weight loss than previous generation medications. They imitate the gastrointestinal hormone GLP-1, which plays a role in regulating appetite.
The researchers examined approximately 5,400 non-obese obese patients and compared patients taking semaglutide or liraglutide with patients taking another anti-obesity treatment.
Gastroparese
The results show that the first group of patients has approximately nine times the risk of developing pancreatic inflammation and four times the risk of intestinal obstruction. The risk of contracting the digestive disorder gastroparesis was three times higher.
“The drugs should be used with care and only for patients at highest risk of health problems or complications linked to obesity,” said Professor Penny Ward of London’s Kings College, who was not involved in the study.
“It is very important that regulations are tightened to ensure that the medication is only prescribed in good circumstances,” said Professor Simon Cork of Britain’s Anglia Ruskin University, who called the study “reliable”.
2023-10-05 23:37:00
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