Tragically, an Australian woman passed away from gastrointestinal illness while trying to lose weight for her daughter’s wedding using Ozempic. Now, her husband advises against using the medication, deeming it ineffective.
56-year-old Trish Webster was given Ozempic to help her fit into her desired dress for her daughter’s wedding, reports the New York Post.
If you’re unaware, the US FDA approved Ozempic as a medication for Type 2 diabetes.
It has gained popularity globally as a weight-loss drug. By imitating GLP-1, a natural hormone, the drug slows digestion, helping people feel fuller for a longer period. If the drug excessively slows stomach activity or obstructs the intestines, complications can happen.
According to reports, as of late September, the FDA has received 18 reports of intestinal blockage, known as “ileus,” in individuals taking Ozempic.
Local reports say the woman was taking both Ozempic, and a Saxenda injection, leading her to lose 35 pounds in just five months. Despite the prescriptions aiding in Webster’s weight loss journey, the medicine was also making her sick. On Jan. 16, shortly before her daughter’s wedding, Webster’s spouse reportedly discovered her unconscious with brown liquid flowing from her mouth.
Her husband, Roy Webster, told 60 Minutes Australia,
“She had a little bit of brown stuff coming out of her mouth, and I realized she wasn’t breathing and started doing CPR…It was just pouring out, and I turned her onto the side because she couldn’t breathe.”
Sadly, Webster passed away that evening, with her official cause of death recorded as a severe gastrointestinal illness.
Although Webster’s demise is not officially attributed to her use of Ozempic and Saxenda; her husband is holding the medications responsible. Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, acknowledged that reports of ileus only surfaced after the drug was released. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing lawsuits in the US, alleging that their weight-loss drugs can cause severe gastrointestinal issues, including gastroparesis.
In September, the FDA updated the Ozempic label to address reports of blocked intestines in certain individuals using the medication. The update followed numerous complaints received by the agency.
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
