- A landmark study involving over 2 million patients shows weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro double the risk of pancreatitis and cause increased incidents of nausea, arthritis, and sleep disturbances.
- Despite benefits like reduced risk of stroke and dementia, the study highlights significant health risks linked to GLP-1 receptor agonists, including tendinitis, kidney stones, and severe pancreatitis.
- Over 120 hospitalisations were reported in the last month due to serious reactions to these medications, with experts warning that side effects need to be more thoroughly evaluated.
A major new study has highlighted significant health risks associated with popular weight loss injections such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.
The research involved over two million patients and found that those using these medications have double the risk of developing pancreatitis – a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.
While these medications have gained attention for their weight-loss benefits and their use in managing type 2 diabetes, the study uncovered concerning side effects.
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Researchers discovered that over a 3.5-year period patients using these weight loss jabs were 30% more likely to experience nausea and vomiting, an 11% higher risk of developing arthritis, and an increased likelihood of headaches and sleep disturbances.
Most alarmingly, the risk of drug-induced acute pancreatitis was found to be double for those using these medications.
Pancreatitis, which causes severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever, can lead to more serious complications like infection, organ failure, or internal bleeding.
While most people recover within a week, the condition can sometimes result in life-threatening issues.
The study also found that the use of these medications was linked to a range of other health issues, including low blood pressure, fainting, tendinitis, and kidney stones.
These findings come as the number of patients suffering severe reactions to weight loss drugs has increased dramatically, with hospitalisations rising by 46% in just the last month alone.
Despite the risks, the study also noted that weight loss drugs have several beneficial effects, including a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, and even dementia.
However, experts are urging caution, emphasising that these drugs should not be seen as a “miracle cure” without recognising the potential for serious side effects.
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Lead author of the study, Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, explained that while the benefits of these medications are substantial, it is important to acknowledge that they are not without risks.
The research team suggests that future studies should focus more on the long-term effects of these medications, particularly in people using them for weight loss alone, rather than for managing type 2 diabetes.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has reported a surge in hospitalisations due to weight-loss drug reactions, with nearly 400 patients requiring medical treatment since these injections were introduced.
Experts continue to stress the importance of monitoring the risks associated with these treatments, especially as their popularity grows.
