Copy article

Ozempic

Journalist: Connie Dimsdale, The i newspaper

ended 29. July 2023

Hi, I'm looking to speak with case studies and experts about drugs including Ozempic and Saxenda. The MHRA has placed them under review due to potential links to suicidal thoughts.

Keen to speak with: 

  • Doctors who can discuss the side effects
  • People who have used the drugs - for weight loss or to control diabetes - to discuss mental health side effects 

Thanks!

1 responses from the Newspage community

Copy all

Copy

Dr Suhail Hussain
Private GP at Dr Suhail Hussain
There are varied results with such interventions and invariably those who take them end up putting on all the weight they have lost. There are also potential side effects from taking such medications. In particular, Ozempic (GLP-1 agonist) slows gastric emptying, which can lead to severe nausea and vomiting, causing dehydration and malnutrition. Due to the close relation of the microbiome to overall wellbeing, this can lead to symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety. In severe cases, it may increase suicidal tendencies in those who are prone to such thoughts. Moreover issues with the pancreas have been raised such as pancreatis and gallstones. The phenomenon of “Ozempic face” causes wasting and sagging of facial muscles, which may be irreversible. Rarer side effects can include visual disutbance kidney dysfunction and increased incidence of thyroid cancer. There is no magic bullet.