- A new study concludes that weight loss drugs can create health issues for people going under anesthesia.
- They say GLP-1 RA medications such as Ozempic can cause a build-up of gastric contents in the abdomen, raising the risk of aspiration during surgery.
- Researchers say people taking these weight loss drugs may have to fast longer before surgery.
Weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy can be problematic when a person undergoes anesthesia, according to a
In their study, researchers noted that medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), which have been approved for use with type 2 diabetes and weight management, can create potentially serious health issues while mixing with drugs used in anesthesia during surgery and other medical procedures.
“Our findings were quite surprising. More than half of the patients on a GLP-1 RA had significant gastric contents on gastric ultrasound before an elective procedure, despite adhering to preoperative fasting,” said Dr. Sudipta Sen, the first author of the study and a professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, in a statement.
“This incidence was significantly higher compared to patients not on a GLP-1 RA, showing a strong link between GLP-1 RA drugs and potential aspiration risk under anesthesia,” she added.
The study was prompted by internal quality reviews done at UTHealth Houston after staff members reported cases of aspiration under anesthesia with people taking weight loss drugs despite “adequate fasting” before procedures.
Aspiration is when stomach contents enter the lungs. It’s considered potentially dangerous.
The research team consisted of subspecialized anesthesiologists with expertise in point-of-care ultrasound, allowing bedside assessment of stomach contents.
A mechanism of GLP-1 RA medications that contributes to glycemic control…
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