Ozempic & Gastroparesis

Semaglutide, known by the trade names Ozempic and Wegovy, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) designed for treating type 2 diabetes. The two trade names, Ozempic and Wegovy, differ in terms of dosage.

The development of an oral formulation of semaglutide could facilitate its use earlier in the treatment cascade for diabetes. This is because it may be more widely accepted by patients and healthcare professionals compared to injectable formulations. ^1-7

Semaglutide, found in Ozempic and Wegovy, can be added to existing treatment regimens to improve glycemic control and induce weight loss. It has been shown to be superior to placebo and other active comparators in reducing glycated hemoglobin levels and promoting weight loss. It has also demonstrated significant reductions in major cardiovascular events compared to placebo.

In addition to its use in type 2 diabetes, semaglutide is also being investigated for its potential in the treatment of:

• Obesity
• Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Preliminary studies have shown promising results in terms of weight loss, although further research is needed to address gastrointestinal adverse events associated with the use of semaglutides, such as Ozepmic or Wegovy. ^1-7

Compared to other antidiabetic drugs, semaglutide showed a greater number of reported gastrointestinal adverse events, with main symptoms being:⁸

• Vomiting
• Pancreatitis
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

Certain publications suggest a potential link between the use of semaglutide, such as Ozempic, and gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroparesis or stomach paralysis.

A landmark study compared various dosages of semaglutide (ranging from 2.5 mg to 10 mg once daily), noting fewer adverse events with lower dosages.

Oral semaglutide dosing required premature treatment discontinuation due to adverse events more frequently than subcutaneous medication.⁹

Case Reports

Case reports describe instances of gastroparesis related to semaglutide use.

The report highlights a case of significant gastroparesis in a 52-year-old female with a history of type two diabetes linked with her semaglutide regimen.

The authors were able to distinguish the symptoms from gastroparesis attributable to her underlying diabetes state, and resumption of stomach motility was observed after withholding semaglutide.¹⁰

Relationship between Semaglutide and gastroparesis:

• Low to Moderate

Findings are present but require further qualities of studies and larger sample sizes for better statistical significance.