A new side effect has reportedly been discovered with Ozempic, raising serious medical concerns. Experts say the popular weight loss drug can interfere with imaging scans, potentially hiding signs of cancer and other diseases.
The Discovery
According to The New York Post, doctors have found that Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs can interfere with PET-CT scans—an advanced imaging technique used to detect abnormalities within the body. These scans use a radioactive substance called FDG, which travels through the bloodstream and is absorbed by tissues. Cancer cells and other abnormal tissues typically absorb more FDG, allowing doctors to locate disease clusters.
However, recent findings suggest that Ozempic may alter how the body absorbs FDG, affecting the visibility of certain abnormalities.
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PET-CT scans play a crucial role in diagnosing cancers, organ diseases, and metabolic conditions. If the FDG distribution is altered by Ozempic use, it could lead to delayed diagnoses, missed early detections, or unnecessary follow-up testing.
The New York Post reports that doctors have already seen concerning imaging patterns in patients taking Ozempic. These irregularities make it more difficult to distinguish between normal and abnormal cell activity, which can lead to confusing or misleading results.
Broader Impact of GLP-1 Drugs
Ozempic is one of several GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs originally developed to treat diabetes but widely used for weight loss. While they’ve been praised for helping with obesity and metabolic health, experts say new side effects continue to surface as long-term use grows.
Doctors emphasize that more research is needed to understand how Ozempic impacts medical imaging and disease detection fully. Still, they advise healthcare providers to review patient medication histories carefully before ordering diagnostic scans.