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Ozempic and Gastroparesis: What You need to Know

In case you’ve been living under a rock and missed the hype, Ozempic is an injectable diabetes drug that’s become popular as an off-label medication for weight loss. It mimics GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone, to suppress appetite and delay the passage of food in the stomach, making many feel fuller after eating less.

Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t take drugs like Ozempic as I have a stomach condition called gastroparesis, also known as paralysis of the stomach. Recently, media outlets have reported that in rare instances, taking these drugs might be linked to the progress of gastroparesis.

Unless you’re related to me, you’ve probably never heard of the condition, but gastroparesis is thought to affect about 5% of people with type 1 diabetes and 1% of people with type 2 diabetes. But it can also occur in people without diabetes, and increasingly, it’s being reported in individuals using GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro for weight loss.

What is Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis isn’t simply a “slow stomach.” It’s a disorder where the stomach doesn’t empty food at a normal rate. Normally, strong muscular contractions move food from your stomach to your small intestine. In gastroparesis, these contractions are slowed or stop altogether. This can lead to a variety of unpleasant symptoms.

Symptoms of Gastroparesis

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• feeling full quickly after eating only a small amount of food
• bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Heartburn
• Changes in blood sugar levels (especially for diabetics)
• Lack of appetite
• Weight loss

The severity of symptoms varies greatly from person to person. Some individuals experience mild discomfort, while others are significantly debilitated.

The Ozempic Connection

So,how are Ozempic and gastroparesis potentially linked? GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic work by slowing down gastric emptying. This is actually one of the mechanisms by which they promote weight loss – you feel fuller for longer. Though, in some individuals, this slowing effect appears to be too meaningful, leading to a disruption of normal stomach function and the development of gastroparesis.

The FDA is currently investigating reports of potential serious harm associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists,including cases of gastroparesis.It’s important to note that this link is still being studied, and the exact risk is not yet fully understood. The cases reported are relatively rare, but the potential for this side effect is concerning.

Who is at Risk?

While anyone taking GLP-1 receptor agonists could potentially develop gastroparesis, certain individuals may be at higher risk:

• People with pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions
• Individuals with diabetes (especially those with poorly controlled blood sugar)
• Those taking other medications that slow gastric emptying

What Should You Do?

If you are taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro and experiencing symptoms of gastroparesis, it’s crucial to contact your doctor immediately. Do not stop taking your medication without