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The popular semaglutide injection Ozempic now comes with a warning about intestinal obstruction after administration. food and drug administration Accepted changes to drug packaging proposed by manufacturer Novo Nordisk.
Semaglutide mimics the body’s GLP-1 hormone, which regulates sugar and may reduce appetite. The drug was originally approved for diabetics, but the side effect of weight loss quickly made it a preferred option online. As of September 2023, Ozempic is believed to still exist. There is a nationwide shortage This action by the FDA has driven up prices and, in some cases, encouraged desperate patients to seek illegal generic versions. Ozempic’s maker, Novo Nordisk, continues to file lawsuits to curb the growing market for semaglutide knockoffs in the United States, but that hasn’t stopped the appetite for the drug.
This addition now includes Ozempic in the entire group of GLP-1 drugs that can cause ileus. Before this update, Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro had already issued warnings.according to mayo Clinic, An ileus is another word for an intestinal obstruction, a blockage that prevents food from continuing to pass through the small and large intestines. If an ileus is left untreated, parts of the intestine can become necrotic, causing serious problems for the patient or even death.
Although this reaction is new to Ozempic packaging, gastrointestinal side effects are common with GLP-1 drugs. At the beginning of this year, CNN reported At least two Ozempic users experienced gastroparesis from taking the drug, and the majority reported stomach problems such as constipation, nausea, and diarrhea. According to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System Public Dashboard, this year, 33 Ozempic patients have reported experiencing ileus after taking the drug. “Because these reactions are spontaneously reported in populations of uncertain magnitude, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. ,” the FDA said in an update.
in a statement to rolling stoneNovo Nordisk said patient safety is its top priority and the label updates were made in conjunction with the FDA to monitor the drug’s safety profile.
“Novo Nordisk stands behind the safety and effectiveness of Ozempic and all of our medicines when used in accordance with the product label and approved indications,” the spokesperson said. “For Ozempic, the most commonly reported side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and constipation.”
