I recently came across another article from multiple news outlets warning of a link between Ozempic (ie Semaglutide) and “stomach paralysis.” It seems as if every time I see one of these articles, the purpose is to scare the public into avoiding these drugs and rejecting them as viable, safe options for weight loss. It’s a cheap ploy; I’m still not quite certain of the exact motivation behind these articles, but it deserves a rebuttal from a physician prescribing Semaglutide to his patients:
Yes, Semaglutide works by agonizing a hormone called GLP-1, which, in effect, can slow transit time in the stomach, leading to more food in the stomach over longer periods of time. This is one of the ways it helps patients feel full earlier in their meals and over longer periods of time. It’s one of the ways it helps patients lose weight! That’s not a bad thing.
If someone takes too high of a dose, especially over long enough periods, it’s reasonable to assume they will have significant side effects like nausea, vomiting, and acid reflux, owing to all of the food piling up in the stomach that has nowhere to go because things are moving slower. However, under a doctor’s supervision and careful dosing schedule, this effect is easily avoidable by going up in dosing gradually and allowing one’s body to adjust to the medication.
Also, this effect is transitory. The typical half life of Semaglutide is around 7 days. If and when patients decide to taper off this medication, the effect of the drug on gut motility wanes. Your stomach will eventually return to its normal level of functioning with no long term side effects.
Semaglutide has proven to be a safe and effective drug for weight loss, especially when supervised by a trained physician. Don’t let the media fool you otherwise.
