Canada: A new study shows that weight loss drugs that mimic the hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) in order to suppress appetite might also be triggering a variety of digestive problems. The research was published in the journal JAMA.
The research discovered a higher possibility of problems like pancreatitis, gastroparesis, and bowel obstruction in individuals using GLP-1 medications compared to those using a medication that doesn’t stimulate the same chemical pathways as GLP-1.
Even though the risk is slightly higher for these drugs, it’s still quite low. For instance, 0.8 percent of those using Saxenda (a GLP-1 treatment) reported bowel obstructions, while only 0.17 percent of those using Contrave (a non-GLP-1) experienced similar issues.
However, given the rising number of people using these medications, it represents a significant jump a fourfold increase.
Injectable weight loss treatments like Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda, and Victoza enhance the impact of GLP-1, slowing down food digestion in the stomach and extending the feeling of fullness. GLP-1 helps control blood sugar levels and is frequently prescribed to aid diabetes management.
In this specific study, epidemiologist Mr. Mahyar Etminan, from the University of British Columbia and a team from Canadian institutions examined non-diabetic obese patients to study the drug’s impact on weight loss specifically.
This isn’t the first research where these problems have been raised. Drug companies have recognised digestive issues as known side effects that should be considered while using these treatments, affecting only a small portion of individuals.
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