Dozens of Aussie weight loss drug injection patients have complained of symptoms consistent with drug-induced hepatitis, sparking a warning from experts for regular GP check-ups.
Patients on GLP-1 agonists Wegovy and Ozempic reported flu-like symptoms, fatigue, abdominal cramps and vomiting, thought to be related to liver injury.
The most severe cases were rushed to hospital after experiencing symptoms associated with inflammation of the liver.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has received three separate reports of hepatitis or liver injury associated with semaglutide medicine use – marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy.
Two patients were on Ozempic while the other was using Wegovy.
Patients on Mounjaro have also expressed concerns online.
‘Any of you on Mounjaro have had to stop taking it due to it affecting your liver? I’m currently in hospital with medication induced hepatitis and they’re positive it’s from the Mounjaro,’ one woman wrote.
Another commented: ‘Wegovy badly affected my liver and I had to stop, fortunately I didn’t end up in hospital’.
The woman said she would have to stop her course of Mounjaro after switching from Wegovy after blood tests revealed that her liver function has been slightly abnormal.
Experts have noted that, while rare, some patients had issues metabolising GLP-1 agonists.
The issue could cause the development of hepatoxicity, a direct drug toxicity from the medicines.
Medical experts urged patients on weight loss injections regular check-ups to avert permanent liver damage.
Royal n College of GPs’ Gary Deed said patients should always monitor symptoms when starting a new course of drugs.
‘Many doses have been administered in clinical trials and there doesn’t appear to be anything common, but any drug has issues to the metabolism in the kidney or liver, some more than others, for instance paracetamol,’ he told the Daily Telegraph.
‘Just be aware of signs and symptoms on the liver, one of the issues of using GLP-1 agonists is nausea and hepatoxicity can be hidden in that.
‘Worldwide, these events are rare, but these case reports are just emerging and cannot be ignored and should be researched – these symptoms are a good wake-up call.’
Those using semaglutide injections should monitor any potential side-effects and regularly visit their GP for check-ups and weigh-ins.
The TGA received their first hepatitis report associated with semaglutide in September 2022.
No official reports so far have been associated with Mounjaro.
Ozempic was first approved for use in in August 2019.
Wegovy was approved in September 2022 followed by Mounjaro three months later.
The TGA advised patients who suspects they are suffering an adverse effect of any weight loss injection to contact a health professional.
The governing body encourages patients to report all suspected adverse events.
Semaglutide works by emulating a hormone called GLP-1 which helps regulate insulin, appetite and digestions among other roles.