Last year, Elon Musk reportedly lost about 28.7 pounds (13kg) in one year. This weight loss was attributed to the use of obesity treatments Wegovy and Ozempic, which are now under scrutiny due to numerous instances of diarrhea as a side effect.
The UK Daily Mail reported on the 1st that an actress, currently taking Ozempic, experienced an embarrassing incident at Gwyneth Paltrow’s house, where she was unable to control her bowel movements in bed.
This incident has ignited widespread discussions in the American media about the side effects of obesity treatments, particularly Ozempic-induced diarrhea.
Wegovy, another obesity treatment with ingredients similar to Ozempic, has also been reported to cause diarrhea.
Clinical trials show one in ten patients taking Ozempic and Wegovy experienced diarrhea.
Originally developed to treat diabetes, Ozempic contains semaglutide, which helps improve blood sugar levels. It has also been adopted as a treatment for obesity. Administered weekly through a pen-like injection, these treatments have earned the nickname “miracle obesity treatments” due to the significant changes they can facilitate over a year.
Both Ozempic and Wegovy primarily contain semaglutide, which lowers blood sugar levels and helps regulate appetite.
This component mimics a hormone that signals fullness to the brain, suppressing appetite. However, issues arise when the body, tricked into thinking it has consumed a large amount of food, prompts the intestines to empty their contents, leading to uncontrollable explosive diarrhea. Patients taking Wegovy, which has ingredients similar to those in Ozempic, including semaglutide, have reported the same side effects.
Numerous posts on Reddit mention the side effects of diarrhea from taking obesity treatments.
A 43-year-old who took Wegovy shared, “I was mortified when I realized I had become an adult who pooped his pants.”
Another person recounted, “On my way to a fancy dinner on my birthday, I had an accident about 15 minutes into my drive. My birthday was ruined.”
Other obesity treatments besides Wegovy and Ozempic also exhibit similar side effects. One such treatment, which physically blocks fat absorption in the intestines, results in the excretion of undigested oil, causing discomfort for patients.
Doctors advise patients taking obesity treatments and experiencing diarrhea to avoid foods high in fiber, fruit juices, nuts, dried fruits, uncooked vegetables and fruits, beans, lentils and legumes, cauliflower, cabbage, and onions, spicy or fatty foods, alcohol, strong tea, and coffee.
