Studies find using Ozempic may not put people at higher risk of two potential side effects

BOSTON - As the number of Americans using Ozempic and similar drugs for weight loss grows, so do reports of potential side effects.

But there is some good news about two conditions that some worry could be linked to these medications.

These popular weight loss drugs can cause digestive problems, some more serious than others, but the FDA announced last week that it was looking into other potential side effects, including thoughts of suicide.  

However, a large study of more than 1.8 million patients found a lower risk of suicidal thoughts in those on Wegovy or Ozempic compared to those using other classes of weight loss or diabetes drugs.  

Also, a new study published in JAMA looking at more than half a million people with Type 2 diabetes found that these drugs are not associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer  compared to insulin.  

The FDA will continue to monitor for other possible side effects.

In:
• Health
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Type-2 Diabetes
• Ozempic
• Weight Loss

Mallika Marshall, MD

Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who has served as the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. A practicing physician Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Marshall serves on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at the MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and the MGH Revere Health Center, where she is currently working on the frontlines caring for patients with COVID-19. She is also a host and contributing editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.

Twitter Facebook