The Long-Term Effects of Ozempic You Should Know About

  Apr 25, 2024

There are several types of diabetes, among which one of the most concerning is type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported that about 90-95% of Americans suffer from this particular variation.

With the alarming spike in the number of people suffering from this chronic disease, the need for medicines like Ozempic has risen over the years.

It is a prescription drug that belongs to a category of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists that help regulate sugar levels. Despite its numerous advantages, countless patients have expressed their discomfort due to the detrimental effects.

This led to countless studies & research being made, and numerous things were discovered. It may mean that you need a product liability lawyer to advocate for your pain and suffering.

Are you wondering about the drug Ozempic and its long-term effects? Then continue reading the article to find out more!

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic

On average, 38 million Americans  (1 out of 10 adults)  fall victim to various types of diabetes, type 2 being the most common one. To provide relief to the victims, Ozempic was introduced on 5th December 2017.

Semaglutide, more commonly known as Ozempic, is a prescription medication used for treating adults who are suffering from the type 2 variation called diabetes mellitus. Its most prominent ingredient, semaglutide, belongs to the active class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

The drug replicates the functioning of the hormone GLP-1, to regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating the insulin, which was previously almost inactive due to this variant of chronic disease.  In other words, it can reduce the risks associated with diabetic complications like nerve damage, kidney problems, and vision loss.

Despite that, it has also been applied for off-label uses like weight loss, which later led to several issues. Apart from this, there have been studies that have listed the issues that will be listed as we go further.

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Did You Know?  Studies conducted by Mordor Intelligence indicate that the Ozempic Market size is estimated at USD 10.99 billion in 2024, and is anticipated to reach USD 16.5 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of greater than 8% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The Long-Term Effects

While some effects of the drug may depend on the dosage & the purpose of use, there might be times when it can be risky due to the internal changes caused by the drug itself.

The medication has both good and bad effects, just like a coin has two sides. Unfortunately, as the medication has been extensively used, the side effects could no longer go unnoticed with time. So, let us also learn about the persisting risks that have made the consumption of such a medication a hot topic:-

Gastrointestinal Side Effects

 Gastrointestinal Side Effects

The drug could cause side effects such as sensations of nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, and vomiting, it happens when you begin the treatment process and gradually increase the dosage.

While most of the negative impacts disappear over time, some persist, leading to chronic gastrointestinal issues, that might need constant medical attention. It can also lead to extreme cases of stomach paralysis, stopping food from moving through the intestines and processing them. This could lead to much more painful procedures, like surgery.

Pancreatitis

 Pancreatitis

According to a recent research journal published by the JAMA Network, it has been reported that the drugs can cause several issues, including inflammation in the pancreas, and can lead to lifelong problems.

This happens because of the GLP-1 receptor agonists’ constant stimulation of the pancreas to make insulin, “making the already inflamed organ make someone almost tip over the edge” as quoted by Dr. Rekha B. Kumar (Associate Professor of Medicine at Cornell University) while recalling a case on Healthline. Even though the chances of this may be fairly low, remember, prevention is better than cure!

Deteriorating Mental Health & Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders

Several individuals have suffered from low self-esteem during such times and also happen to develop eating disorders like Binge Eating, Anorexia Nervosa, or Bulimia Nervosa. All the pain, to either lose weight or to eat to forget about the issues that created a hormonal imbalance, also led to depression or anxiety.

The popular TikTok trend has led to plenty of deaths and critical cases where patients are unable to make a speedy recovery due to overwhelming feelings, almost making the patients addicted to the consumption of the drug again and again. A report by Europe’s official FDA showed that 96 patients had suicidal thoughts, out of which 5 had died.

★ Thyroid C-Cell Tumors

Thyroid C-Cell Tumors

Studies have raised eyebrows regarding the exposure to thyroid C-cell tumors due to long exposures to GLP-1 receptor agonists. Researchers have raised concerns regarding the signs of thyroid development, which need to be constantly monitored.

This also includes throat cancer, which could appear as a lump or a swelling in the neck along with soreness and shortness of breath (also known as Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma).

★ Acute Gallbladder Disease

Several reports provided, such as those from Healthline, suggest that taking Ozempic may increase the risk of acute gallbladder disease, including gallstone issues or swelling.

It is regarded as a boxed warning from the Food and Drug Association (FDA) because of the clear link seen between the usage of the GLP-1 receptor agonists and the increased risk of gallbladder disease.

Final Inputs

In the end, the drug Ozempic was introduced to the market for its long-term benefits for patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Several recently published studies have brought a negative set of trends into the limelight, that have adversely impacted the affected individuals’ lives.

It could be due to either of the reasons: due to the side effects of the drugs or due to various reasons, one of which is that the drug didn’t suit the patient.

If you are one of the consumers of this medicine, beware!




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