A brand new “uncommon” facet impact of weight-loss medicine is turning into extra frequent, analysis has prompt.
Weight-loss medicine resembling Ozempic and Wegovy have soared in reputation. About one in eight U.S. adults mentioned they’ve taken a GLP-1 drug, used to deal with sort 2 diabetes and weight problems, in keeping with a Kaiser Household Basis ballot printed in Might 2024.
However like with every other medicine, there are unwanted side effects, together with a newly discovered one that might intrude with medical imaging.
Researchers from Alliance Medical, a European imaging service supplier, reviewed oncologic FDG PET-CT scans in sufferers taking GLP-1 medicine.
One in eight U.S. adults mentioned they’ve taken a GLP-1 drug, resembling Ozempic, to deal with sort 2 diabetes and weight problems (Sebastien Bozon/AFP through Getty)
With an FDG PET scan, a affected person will get an IV injection of a radiotracer referred to as fluorodeoxyglucose. Diseased cells within the affected person’s physique take up extra of the radiotracer than wholesome ones do, and the PET scanner detects these “sizzling spots”, in keeping with the Cleveland Clinic. Healthcare suppliers could carry out a PET scan and a CT scan, which makes use of X-rays, on the identical time to supply extra correct 3D photographs.
Alliance Medical researchers discovered a number of irregular patterns of FDG uptake in sufferers taking GLP-1 medicine, in keeping with a September presentation on the Annual Congress of the European Affiliation of Nuclear Drugs. These irregular patterns may very well be misinterpreted by docs if a affected person’s medicine historical past will not be thought of.
“We seen uncommon uptake in certainly one of our sufferers on a GLP-1 agonist, which prompted a wider evaluation throughout our community,” lead writer Dr. Peter Strouhal, Medical Director at Alliance Medical, mentioned in a press release printed by the American Affiliation for the Development of Science.
“We discovered that these altered patterns are more and more frequent, but there may be at present no nationwide or worldwide steerage within the UK addressing this rising concern.”
GLP-1 medicine could intrude with medical imaging, resulting in pointless exams, researchers have discovered (Scott Olson/Getty)
If sufferers’ scans are misinterpreted, it will probably result in pointless exams, incorrect most cancers staging and delays in remedy.
“Recognizing the attribute uptake related to GLP-1 agonists helps keep away from pointless anxiousness and interventions, guaranteeing sufferers obtain the fitting care, on the proper time, with out detours or doubt,” Dr. Strouhal added.
Researchers advise that imaging professionals fastidiously doc sufferers’ medicine historical past to assist keep away from these misinterpretations.
