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It’s been 2 years since the FDA approved the drug semaglutide, branded as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus, for weight management, and about 6 weeks since it approved tirzepatide, branded as Zepbound and Mounjaro. As more of us take these drugs, and we all know many who do, a raft of medical complications have begun to surface. You should be aware of them and the need to self-monitor with greater awareness of your body’s signals.

First and most important: If you’re anticipating a general anesthetic for any procedure, consult your anesthesiologist at least a month in advance. You’ll likely need to pause these weight drugs in advance as they delay stomach emptying and trigger vomiting which can be devastating if not lethal during anesthesia induction.

What about other complications? Nausea and vomiting can occur without anesthesia again due to slow stomach emptying. Constipation and diarrhea also occur. Then there are also more serious gastrointestinal complications. A Canadian study showed increased risks of pancreatitis and gall bladder disease.

Then there may be psychological complications. Patients taking these drugs report depression and suicidal ideas and actions.

A potential long-term risk may be thyroid cancer, and patient on these drugs should be monitored closely for this.

Then, the greatest risk. Once you stop these drugs, often the weight piles back on. The only sure way to lifelong weight control, is the combination of eating moderation and exercise.

Use of the GLP-1 agonist drugs, semaglutide and tirzepatide, leads to remarkable weight losses. As with all medical and surgical therapy, they are double-edged swords. Being forewarned is being prepared.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2812192

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2810542

#dietdrugs #obesity #semaglutide #tirzepatide #anesthesia #gastrointestinal #thyroid #depression #suicide

Diet Drug Complications

Dr. Howard Smith Reports