Ozempic, the prescription diabetes drug that has taken over as one of the top weight loss methods, has some interesting potential side effects.

While there have been Ozempic fakes popping up and even shortages across the country, a new study is showing that the drug may also come with some alarming digestive concerns. 

According to a new report published in JAMA, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors – like Ozempic, Wegovy, Victoza, and Saxenda – may be at a higher risk for gastrointestinal issues, including pancreatitis, gastroparesis, and bowel obstruction. 

“Given the wide use of these drugs, these adverse events, although rare, must be considered by patients who are contemplating using the drugs for weight loss because the risk-benefit calculus for this group might differ from those who use them for diabetes,” the researchers wrote. 

Understanding the gastrointestinal risks

To better understand the gastrointestinal risks associated with Ozempic and other related drugs, the researchers analyzed data from 16 million patients enrolled in the PharMetrics Plus database from 2016 to 2020. 

The study included patients who were taking semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus) and liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) and compared it with those taking bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave, an oral obesity drug unrelated to the others). 

All of the participants involved in the study were taking the drugs for obesity – not for diabetes. They were studied from the time of prescription until they experienced some kind of gastrointestinal issue. 

Ultimately, those taking either semaglutide or liraglutide drugs for weight loss were more likely to experience digestive issues than those taking oral obesity drugs, as the risk of pancreatitis, gastroparesis, and bowel obstruction were all higher. 

Stomach paralysis proved to be the biggest risk, as there was a 1% incidence rate in those taking Ozempic and new cases of stomach paralysis. There was a 0.5% incidence rate of pancreatitis in those taking Ozempic, compared with a 0.01% incidence rate in those taking Contrave. 

Similarly, those taking Victova had a 0.7% incidence rate of stomach paralysis, a 0.8% incidence rate of pancreatitis, and a 0.8% incidence rate of bowel obstruction. Comparatively, those taking Contrave had a 0.17% incidence rate of bowel obstruction. 

Overall, while the risks are relatively low, consumers should be aware of them because they can be serious.