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Recent studies have shed light on these medications’ benefits and potential risks.
Ozempic’s common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and acid reflux, which are generally mild gastrointestinal issues. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Ozempic (semaglutide), a weekly injection approved by the FDA in 2017, helps manage type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood sugar by stimulating insulin production and mimicking a natural hormone that curbs appetite and slows digestion, keeping you full for longer. Thus, GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic have been widely consumed to shed excess pounds and lower obesity-related risks. However, the long-term impact of these drugs, which imitate the GLP-1 gut hormone to promote satiety, remains uncertain.
Recent studies have shed light on these medications’ benefits and potential risks. Ozempic’s common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and acid reflux, which are generally mild gastrointestinal issues. A study published in Nature Medicine warns that these drugs may also elevate the risk of pancreatitis and kidney damage.
The latest study published in JACC: Basic to Translational Science has identified two lesser-known side effects of GLP-1 medications—one linked to a heart condition and the other to skin hypersensitivity.
The study has found that semaglutide can reduce heart mass in healthy individuals, potentially increasing the risk of heart failure and other cardiovascular problems. When heart mass decreases, the heart muscle shrinks, impairing its ability to pump blood efficiently, which can lead to symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath, and may indicate heart failure. The researchers initially tested this on mice, administering semaglutide to both healthy and obese ones. The results showed a significant decrease in heart weight, cardiomyocyte size, and mass in the left ventricle of both lean and obese mice. The experiment was then repeated using cultured human heart cells, yielding similar findings.
The study’s authors noted that if these findings apply to humans, they could be significant when considering the use of semaglutide in patients with existing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cardiac hypertrophy, compared to those using GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) for weight loss or management without CVD or metabolic syndrome. They emphasised that the potential impact on cardiac structure, particularly in cases where reduced heart mass could be problematic, is crucial, especially as GLP-1RAs are increasingly used and recommended for patients both with and without CVD.
Another possible side effect of Ozempic is skin hypersensitivity, also known as Allodynia, which results in pain when the skin is lightly touched.
Dr. Daniel Rosen, a surgeon and weight-loss expert, explained during an interview with The Time of India that GLP-1 medications may, in some cases, heighten the sensitivity of skin nerves, leading to a heightened response to skin stimuli. This can cause sensations such as pain, burning, tingling, or itching, which are interpreted by the brain as discomfort.
