"Risks of Obesity Drugs: New Fatal Complication Warning for Ozempic and Wegovy Users"

A study warns that patients taking weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy before undergoing an endoscopy have a 33% higher risk of developing aspiration pneumonia, a potentially fatal complication where food, liquids, or saliva are sucked into the airway, leading to choking. The drugs, which mimic the hormone GLP-1 to suppress appetite and trigger weight loss, may slow digestion, causing food to sit in the stomach longer and increasing the risk of aspiration during the procedure. Patients on these medications are advised to communicate with their healthcare team in advance to avoid complications.