FOR many, fat jabs have done a world of good – dulling hunger pangs and banishing maddening “food noise”, causing pounds to fall away.
But weight loss jab users could be at risk of “permanent and life-altering” side effect that can turn daily life into “a constant battle against nausea and pain”, a top pharmacist has warned.
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She says the very mechanism that makes GLP-1 drugs work – slowing the emptying of the stomach – can become “a curse” for some.
Fat jabs, such as Wegovy or Mounjaro, can reverse type 2 diabetes and have been linked to a number of health benefits, from boosting heart health to cutting the risk of substance abuse.
Called GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1) they work by mimicking a natural hormone in the body to reduce appetite, slow digestion, and increase insulin secretion.
But these “miracle” jabs are far from side-effect free, pharmacist Deborah Grayson, who runs Digestion with Confidence, told Sun Health.
Experts are seeing patients suffering from alarming complications as a result of taking the drugs, she claimed.
Deborah says: “I’m seeing and hearing about a rise in patients suffering from serious, long-lasting gut issues caused by the very weight-loss injections that are supposed to help them.
“These conditions are life-changing.
“These GLP-1 receptor agonists work by slowing the stomach to make people feel full faster.
“That’s why they’re so effective for weight loss, but for some, this effect can become a curse.”
Deborah said she was seeing an increase in cases of gastroparesis, also known as stomach paralysis, connected to weight loss jabs.
This is when food passes through the stomach more slowly than it should, as the organ can no longer move food along at a normal rate.
It can result in surviving on a liquid diet, malnutrition, or even having surgery to reshape the stomach.
Deborah says: “Symptoms are relentless.
“People feel full after tiny amounts of food, experience nausea or vomiting, bloating, stomach pain and heartburn.”
The pharmacist said even short-term use of weight loss jabs could bring about “life-altering” side effects such as gastroparesis, and what’s more, they could be permanent.
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Deborah adds: “What’s alarming is that, although we’ve always thought these issues would resolve when the injections are stopped, now we are discovering that this isn’t always the case, leaving many patients with permanent symptoms.
“This is not just uncomfortable; it’s life-altering.
“Eating becomes stressful, nutritional intake drops, and in severe cases, malnutrition can occur.
“Daily life – even enjoying a family meal – can turn into a constant battle against nausea and pain.
“While delayed gastric emptying is listed as an uncommon side effect – affecting one in 100 to one in 1000 patients – on the manufacturer’s data sheet for weight loss medication, permanent gastroparesis is not listed.”
Anyone starting these injections should be fully aware of the potential for severe and, in some cases, permanent digestive issues.
Deborah Grayson
Research published last year showed that GLP-1 drugs could increase the risk of gastroparesis.
Data from more than 5,000 patients showed that even previously healthy users were at a four times higher risk of stomach paralysis and bowel obstruction, according to the University of British Columbia.
Even though cases of the condition may be appearing more frequently, experts still warn that they are low in the scheme of things.
Responding to the research, Dr Beverly Tchang, an endocrinologist and assistant professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, told Healthline: “Even though it was increased compared to no medication, there was still a very low risk. I think that’s something people need to remember.”
In the UK, 14 per 100,000 people are diagnosed with gastroparesis, according to the charity Guts UK.
While it affects people of all ages, women are twice as likely to suffer from it, and it’s most often diagnosed in people aged 18 to 39.
The NHS urges sufferers to see a GP when they feel symptoms, including feeling full quickly after eating, experiencing nausea or vomiting after eating, chronic stomach pain, constant heartburn for three weeks or more and bloating for three weeks or more, which could be signs of the condition.
A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk – the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy – told The Sun: “While diabetes is a well-known risk factor there are other risk factors that may increase the risk of gastroparesis such as overweight/obesity, gender (female), virus infection and nervous systems disease (Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis).
“Gastrointestinal (GI) events are well-known side effects of the GLP-1 class.
“For semaglutide, the majority of GI side effects are mild to moderate in severity and of short duration. GLP-1’s are known to cause a delay in gastric emptying, as noted in the label of each of our GLP-1 RA medications.
“Symptoms of delayed gastric emptying, nausea and vomiting are listed as side effects.
“We continuously collect safety data on our marketed GLP-1 medicines and work closely with the authorities to ensure patient safety.
“We recommend that any patient experiencing side effects while taking GLP-1 RA medicines, including Wegovy and Ozempic, report them to their healthcare provider and via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.”
The Sun also contacted Eli Lilly – who manufacture Mounjaro – for comment.
Symptoms of gastroparesis
Symptoms of gastroparesis start after eating and may include:
- Feeling full sooner than usual – you may be unable to finish meals
- Feeling sick and being sick
- Tummy pain
- Heartburn
- Bloating
If you’ve had these symptoms for a while, you may also be losing weight.
‘Risk can’t be underestimated’
Deborah said there was an added layer of risk to the condition, as treatments used to treat gastroparesis can sometimes cause further complications.
The pharmacist says: “What concerns me further is that these gut symptoms often lead to increased prescriptions of acid-reducing medications like proton pump inhibitors.
“These are one of the most prescribed medications in the UK, and long-term use has been linked to a number of conditions, including dementia.”
Proton pumps are enzymes in the lining of the stomach that help it make acid to digest food.
Proton pump inhibitors stop these enzymes from working properly, which reduces the amount of acid the stomach makes.
It should be noted that while studies have found a link between proton pump inhibitors and dementia, they were observational, so they couldn’t show that one had caused the other.
We cannot underestimate the impact permanent gastroparesis has on quality of life, and we must be vigilant to prevent this silent, debilitating side effect
Deborah Grayson
Deborah went on: “The irony is that a treatment intended to improve health can indirectly cause long-term gastrointestinal complications and additional medication use.
“Patients taking GLP-1s see their GPs complaining of heartburn or reflux-like discomfort, and the obvious response is to treat it with a PPI.
“While this can relieve some of the acid-related discomfort, it doesn’t address the underlying problem, which is delayed gastric emptying.
“In fact, taking PPI medication for gastroparesis can sometimes worsen symptoms rather than help, as it doesn’t address the underlying delayed stomach emptying and may contribute to further digestive issues.
“With GLP-1 medications being prescribed at higher doses to maximise weight loss, I predict we’ll see more people experiencing both persistent gastroparesis and reliance on PPIs.”
NHS advice for managing a gastroparesis diagnosis includes switching to four to six small meals a day, eating less indigestible insoluble fibre – found in wholegrain bread, beans and some vegetables and fruit – and going on a liquid diet, which involves eating soups or meals blended in a food processor.
What can you do?
Deborah says: “I would urge patients and healthcare professionals to take this seriously.
“Anyone starting these injections should be fully aware of the potential for severe and, in some cases, permanent digestive issues.
“Doctors need to monitor symptoms closely and consider alternatives for people with a history of gastrointestinal problems.
“Patients experiencing persistent nausea, vomiting, bloating or early satiety should speak to their GP immediately.
“Early recognition may help manage symptoms before they become chronic.
“These medications have a place in treating obesity and diabetes, but the risks are real, and awareness is crucial.
“We cannot underestimate the impact permanent gastroparesis has on quality of life, and we must be vigilant to prevent this silent, debilitating side effect.”
It comes after The Sun revealed that one death a week in the UK is linked to weight loss injections.
According to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), jabs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro have been connected to 24 deaths in the 21 weeks since January.
As of June, the health watchdog has logged 106 fatalities connected to the jabs, rising from 82 in January.
What are the side effects of weight loss jabs?
Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects.
Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include:
Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts.
Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea.
Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset.
Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation.
Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort.
Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss.
Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating.
Serious side effects can also include:
Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon.
Thyroid tumors: There’s a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic.
Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.
