(USNewsMag.com) – Taking drugs like Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss can be dangerous during surgery or procedures that require an empty stomach. These drugs have gained popularity because of their weight-loss benefits. Along with Mounjaro, the drugs are commonly prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes and contain semaglutide, which imitates the effects of GLP-1, a hormone responsible for regulating blood glucose levels.
From January to May, almost 6 million prescriptions were issued in the US for non-diabetic individuals for drugs such as Wegovy and Ozempic. People want the weight loss benefits due to the appetite suppression and feelings of fullness that the drugs produce.
These drugs, however, are not without side effects, one of which is that semaglutide remains in the body for up to three weeks and can cause slow digestion. This puts patients at risk for pulmonary aspiration during sedation for surgical procedures, resulting in lung damage, infections, and, sometimes, death.
Procedures requiring an empty stomach for anesthesia may pose deadly complications for Wegovy and Ozempic users.
US and Canadian anesthesiologists report more patients on weight-loss drugs who inhale food and liquid into their lungs during sedation, despite following instructions to not eat for 6–8 hours.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists advised patients in June to avoid weight-loss medications on the day of surgery and to postpone weekly injections for a week before sedation procedures. The group’s president, Dr. Michael Champeau, claimed the decision was made due to anecdotal reports from various parts of the country citing problems such as aspiration.
It was suggested that patients discontinue the drugs for a period of about three weeks, according to the Canadian Journal of Anesthesia. Aspiration happens in about 1 out of every 2,000 to 3,000 sedated operations, and almost 50% of those patients will have a lung injury. To avoid complications, it is recommended to consult with a doctor before surgery to switch diabetes medication.
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