Research Reveals Small Risk of Severe Stomach Problems for Users of Novo Nordisk’s Weight-Loss Drugs

Research conducted by the University of British Columbia and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests a small risk of developing severe stomach problems for people using Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drugs, specifically GLP-1 products. This study showcasing this risk for weight-loss users is the first of its kind, as previous studies had highlighted these risks for diabetes patients using such drugs. The study, which involved patient records from 2006 to 2020, found that, compared to users of Contrave (a non-GLP-1 weight-loss treatment), users of GLP-1 drugs were several times more likely to face pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, and gastroparesis. That said, the incidence of these conditions in GLP-1 drug users remains low. Warnings of ileus, another digestive disorder, are already present on the labels of Novo’s GLP-1 drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. With the demand for these drugs increasing, the scrutiny of their side effects is also growing. Despite this, a Novo spokesperson has stated that “the majority of GI side effects are mild to moderate in severity and of short duration.”

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