Ozempic May Damage Vital Organs, Study Finds

Scientists have discovered a possible association between popular drugs such as Ozempic and an increased risk of damage to the kidneys, pancreas and the digestive system. Weight-loss medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists include Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Zepbound—and they can be prescribed for obesity or type 2 diabetes. A recent study has analyzed the risks and benefits associated with taking GLP-1s among more than 2 million military veterans with type 2 diabetes, compared to veterans taking more traditional medications to treat their diabetes. "GLP-1RA drugs can have broad health benefits," said the study's senior author, Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, clinical epidemiologist and nephrologist at John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. "However, they are not without risks. "Given the drugs' newness and skyrocketing popularity, it is important to systematically examine their effects on all body systems—leaving no stone unturned—to understand what they do and what they don't do." Scientists at the Washington University School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System, in Missouri, analyzed de-identified medical records in a database maintained by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. They compared 175 different health outcomes between diabetic veterans treated between October 2017 and December 2023.

The scientists' analysis uncovered a new link between taking GLP-1 drugs and an increased risk of pancreatitis and kidney conditions, including kidney stones. They also confirmed already-known associations between taking GLP-1 medications and an increased risk of digestive problems, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and—in rare cases—stomach paralysis. GLP-1 works by mimicking the natural fullness hormone GLP-1 and one of the ways it works is by slowing down digestion, as well as supporting blood sugar balance, reducing appetite and dulling dopamine responses to food. "Interestingly, GLP-1RA drugs act on receptors that are expressed in brain areas involved in impulse control, reward and addiction—potentially explaining their effectiveness in curbing appetite and addiction disorders," said Al-Aly. The study uncovered links between taking GLP-1 and lower risks of addiction to alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, opioids and other substances. It also found small associations with brain health, including lower risks of suicidal ideation, self-harm, bulimia, psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and neurocognitive disorders such as dementia. "These drugs also reduce inflammation in the brain and result in weight loss; both of these factors may improve brain health and explain the reduced risk of conditions like Alzheimer's disease and dementia," said Al-Aly. The study also confirmed previous studies' findings about potential links to better heart health, including heart attack and stroke. But some scientists have called for caution in response to this study, including Professor Naveed Sattar, cardiometabolic medicine professor at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. Sattar said in a statement: "This is an observational study so cannot be considered anywhere near definitive, and...the findings fall well below the level of evidence that comes from gold standard placebo controlled randomized trials." Professor Sir Stephen O'Rahilly, biochemist and metabolic scientist at the University of Cambridge, said in a statement that the study should be "interpreted very cautiously" as it was "heavily skewed to older white males," but that the study provided "useful reassurance about the safety of this class of drugs." This study was published on Monday in scientific journal Nature Medicine. Is there a health problem that's worrying you? Do you have a question about GLP-1s? Let us know via health@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice and your story could be featured in Newsweek.