Local gastroenterologist warns of Ozempic side effects

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) — It’s the latest craze in the weight loss world. Medicines designed to treat diabetes, some popular ones of which are Ozempic and Wegovy, have been proven to help people lose weight.

It’s widely considered a ‘quick fix’, but doctors are warning patients of potential side effects.

Ozempic, also known as semaglutide, is part of a list of drugs originally created to treat diabetes.

“They’re FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes only. It’s off-label use for weight loss that’s the hot topic these days,” said SOMC’s director of gastroenterology. , Jesse Houghton.He noticed that the use of these drugs for weight loss has taken the country by storm because many people have seen dramatic results.

“These drugs bind to the GLP-1 receptor in the body and cause three distinct actions,” Houghton said.

All three actions increase insulin secretion, move glucose out of the liver and into the bloodstream, and delay stomach emptying, making you feel full sooner.

It may work, but experts like Dr. Houghton want people to know it’s not without side effects.

“Typical symptoms are nausea, very common, vomiting, bloating,” he said.

If you plan to use it for weight loss, Houghton says you should plan on using it long-term, which can be expensive. The drug is not covered by insurance if used for weight loss.

“It’s been shown that if you eventually use it to lose weight and eventually stop using it, the weight comes back within weeks or months,” Houghton said. “So if you’re taking it for weight loss, you need to change your lifestyle and diet at the same time. You need small, frequent meals, reduced calorie intake, and incorporating exercise into the diet or weight will come right back.

Houghton says that if you have pre-existing gastrointestinal issues, you will need to be monitored more closely on the drug as symptoms may be more severe or you may be advised against taking the drug.

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