I took the compound Ozempic.Then I got appendicitis

The exact cause of appendicitis is not clear, but there are several possible causes. include:

• Hardened stool or growth that can block the opening inside the appendix
• Enlarged tissue in the wall of the appendix caused by an infection in the gastrointestinal tract or another area of ​​the body
• inflammatory bowel disease

Dr. Karl Nadolskiendocrinologist, diplomat American Board of Obesity Medicinestated that a large randomized trial found no association between semaglutide and appendicitis.

However, one thing he pointed out was that case This study was reported in patients with end-stage renal disease who took a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) that was not semaglutide.

moreover, case report Based on current trial results and adverse event reporting systems, appendicitis was found to occur infrequently in patients using GLP-1RAs.

“When using real drugs that have been studied and approved, this does not seem to be a clinical concern,” Nadolsky told Healthline.

Currently, there is no data showing that taking GLP-1 drugs increases the risk of appendicitis. Dr. David Renton, “Expert studies will show whether there is a correlation between the two,” a clinical associate professor of surgery who specializes in minimally invasive abdominal surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and School of Medicine told Healthline. It will be helpful.”

He added that although appendicitis is rare, it can occur at any age. The most common symptoms are:

• nausea
• vomiting
• Abdominal pain usually starts around the belly button and slowly moves to the lower right side of the abdomen.

“If your abdominal pain persists for more than two days and is not relieved by medication or bowel movements, see your doctor,” says Dr. Renton. “Early appendicitis is easy to treat. Late-onset appendicitis or perforated appendicitis usually requires a longer hospital stay and may require several weeks of treatment for complete recovery.”

Nadolsky said that formulations of the brand “Ozempic”, such as the combination semaglutide + B-12, are created and sold because of legality loopholes.

For example, if drugs are involved shortage As with Ozempic and Wegoby today, the FDA says compounders can legally prepare compounded versions of drugs if they meet certain requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act.

Nadolski stressed that people should avoid combination drugs.

“The expected clinical benefits of any drug must far outweigh any potential risks. “It is inappropriately prescribed in the form of semaglutide +/- B12 or obtained from medical spas and online ‘clinics,'” he said.

In January 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) statement The researchers said that people should not use combination drugs when approved drugs are available, and that the FDA has not tested the safety, effectiveness, or quality of combination versions of these drugs. He noted that people and health care providers should know that they are not being screened.

The FDA also noted that it has received adverse reports from people who have used compounded semaglutide and that some compounders may be using the salt form of semaglutide. This is what was written there:

“Salt forms are different from the active ingredients used in approved drugs, including the base form of semaglutide. I haven’t.”

Nadolsky added that any form of anti-obesity medication should only be prescribed to people who meet the requirements.

“Semaglutide and other GLP-1RAs should be reserved for people with serious clinical conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and other comorbidities, or who are at very high risk of complications. “This will allow us to maintain an appropriate ratio of benefit to risk,” he said.

Looking back on her choice to take semaglutide, Jenson said she doesn’t regret taking the combination. But she regrets accepting it in any way.

In addition to the appendicitis, she is also concerned about her unstable blood sugar levels as she has not taken any medication for two months and suspects that the medication may have affected her pancreas.

“I instinctively knew I shouldn’t do it, but all the biohackers in the health and wellness space are promoting peptides, and semaglutide is a peptide, so I justified it.” she said.

She hopes biohackers and influencers who promote health and wellness and ways to enhance longevity and brain function will share more about GLP-1’s possible side effects in the future.

“At the end of the day, I’m responsible for myself,” Jenson said. “But this doesn’t apply to everyone. [risk of] Harmful effects. “

Reporting adverse events or quality problems with GLP-1 or other drug products to FDA MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting The program allows you to submit reports online or shape Please fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.