Ozempic and Mounjaro
Obesity is a health issue that affects millions of Americans – in fact, 42 percent of adults in the United States. In recent years, researchers have attempted to develop drugs that can help with weight loss, but none were very successful and side effects were severe. The ability to treat obesity as a medical condition looked bleak – until now.
Ozempic and Wegovy – drugs used in managing diabetes, have become synonymous with rapid weight loss – in part thanks to celebrities sharing their success on social media. Elon Musk mentioned using Wegovy to maintain a fit appearance. Television host Andy Cohen noted Ozempic’s rising fame. On social media platforms such as TikTok, hashtag #Ozempic has garnered over 273 million views, with individuals sharing astonishment at their weight loss results and discussing potential side effects.
Ozempic first received approval in 2017 by Food and Drug Administration for diabetes treatment, and an increased dosage of its active component, semaglutide, was sanctioned for obesity treatment in 2021 under the brand name Wegovy. In addition to Ozempic and Wegovy, interest is also growing for Mounjaro, another diabetes medication. Manufacturer Eli Lilly has been highlighting significant weight reduction results in obesity and diabetes trials using tirzepatide, Mounjaro’s active component. Development is ongoing for medications with mechanisms similar to Wegovy and Ozempic, collectively known as GLP-1 drugs.
How Do GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro Work?
It’s noteworthy to mention that while Wegovy has received approval from the F.D.A. for weight loss purposes, Ozempic hasn’t received the same recognition. Doctors have reported he authorization of Wegovy led to a surge in demand, causing some healthcare providers to opt for Ozempic when Wegovy was unavailable.
PLG-1 drugs stop working when the patient stops taking them, meaning a patient could gain back all of the weight they lose if they have difficulty with side effects, or can no longer afford the medication. At up to $1300 for a month’s supply, the drug’s cost can be very high if the patient does not have insurance coverage.
With growing interest in Ozempic, some medical professionals sense an increase in people looking to use it for weight loss, either through a willing physician or purchasing the drug online. A concern arises, however, as its popularity grows, people may perceive it as a cosmetic solution rather than a vital treatment for diabetes patients – and therefore exposing themselves to more risk of adverse effects from using these medications.
It may surprise patients to know that GLP-1 drugs were not specifically designed to address weight loss. The results patients experience in losing body weight is actually a side effect. Though scientists have theorized why using Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro reduces appetite and curbs food cravings, the exact reasons are still not proven. Nor do researchers know what the long term effects of PLG-1 could mean for patients.
What are the Side Effects of PLG-1 Drugs Like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro?
According to the drug company Novo Nordisk, who manufactures both Ozempic and Wegovy, common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
Patients are also at risk of more sever side effects when using semiglutide medications:
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder problems
- Kidney failure
Patients using PLG-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro should always do so only when prescribed by a doctor, and should report any adverse effects right away.
Personal Injury Lawsuit Filed
Bjorklund, a resident of Louisiana, is holding Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, manufacturers of Ozempic and Mounjaro reactions from these drugs. These side effects include the risk of gastroparesis, a condition referred to as
“paralyzed stomach.”Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2017, Bjorklund, aged 44, used Ozempic for over a year before transitioning to Mounjaro in July 2023. Both medications were prescribed by her medical practitioners to manage her blood
sugar levels, as documented in legal filings.
Bjorklund subsequently experienced acute digestive problems such as intense vomiting, stomach pain, and even loss of teeth due to persistent vomiting, as detailed in the legal complaint.
Interestingly, while the term “gastroparesis” does not appear in the instructions for Ozempic or Monjauro, the phrase “delays gastric emptying” is present on labels for both drugs. Delayed gastric emptying might
influence how other drugs interact with the body.
How Do I Know if I Have Gastroparesis?
According to the National Institute of Health, gastroparesis refers to a medical condition that hampers or halts the progress of food from the stomach into the small intestine, even when there is no physical obstruction
within the digestive tract.
Several symptoms are indicative of gastroparesis, including:
A sensation of fullness that occurs rapidly after commencing a meal and persists for an extended period.
- A frequent feeling of nausea.
- Instances of vomiting.
- Excessive bloating and belching can be observed.
- Pain localized in the upper region of the abdomen might be experienced.
- Heartburn might occur as a result of the condition.
- A diminished appetite is also associated with the condition.
- The institute emphasized that diabetes is often recognized as the primary underlying factor causing
gastroparesis, also referred to as delayed gastric emptying.
Additionally, the American College of Gastroenterology has mentioned that certain medications known to inhibit the emptying of the stomach could potentially lead to gastroparesis. Both Ozempic and Mounjaro are
identified as medications that slow down gastric emptying as per the details provided in their respective prescribing information. Interestingly, neither of these drugs lists gastroparesis among their possible adverse side
effects.
