Doctors warn of a NEW fatal complication from Ozempic and Wegovy that may cause ... trends now
Surgery patients on blockbuster weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy could be at risk of choking to death, a study warns.
Researchers in California looked at nearly 1 million Americans who had an endoscopy, which examines the upper digestive tract.
They found that patients who underwent the procedure - which involves inserting a tube with a camera on the end down the throat while the patient is sedated- were 33 percent more likely to suffer aspiration pneumonia.
This causes food, liquids, or saliva to get sucked into the airway, which could lead to choking and kills nearly 60,000 Americans a year.
Dr Ali Rezaie, study author and medical director of the GI Motility Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, said: 'Aspiration during or after endoscopy can be devastating.'
Researchers found that those taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy before an endoscopy had a 33 percent greater risk of developing aspiration pneumonia
Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy mimic the production of the hormone GLP-1, which helps keep the body full
'If significant, it can lead to respiratory failure, ICU admission and even death. Even mild cases may require close monitoring, respiratory support and medications including antibiotics.'
'It is important we take all possible precautions to prevent aspiration from occurring.'
Ozempic and Wegovy are brand names for the medication semaglutide, which suppresses appetite and triggers weight loss.
The drug binds to the GLP-1 receptor, a protein that triggers hormones in the brain that keep the stomach full and tell the body to stop eating and avoid cravings.
