A woman has died as a result of what her family believes was a fatal side effect of the weight loss drug Ozempic.
Trish Webster, 56, from Australia, did not have diabetes but was prescribed the off-label drug to help her lose weight before her daughter’s wedding.
She lost 16kg over five months on Ozempic and then Saxenda – while suffering from constant nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
But in January this year, the mother collapsed at home and a “brown substance” came out of her mouth. Her husband, Roy, performed CPR and rolled her onto her side to help her breathe and save her, but she was pronounced dead that evening.
Doctors listed the cause of death as “acute gastrointestinal disease” and determined that Ozempic caused fatal intestinal blockages.
Mr. Webster has called for a full investigation into his wife’s death and says he believes Ozempic may have been the cause.
Trish Webster, 56, pictured above with husband Roy, died after taking Ozempic to lose some weight before her daughter’s wedding. The mother, who is from Australia, suffered from the side effects of the medication
She lost 16kg in five months while trying to lose weight for a dress for her daughter’s wedding
Speaking to 60 Minutes Australia, he said: “She went to the doctor a couple of times and said she was sick and had diarrhea and nausea.”
‘[But she didn’t stop taking it because] My daughter wanted to get married and kept mentioning the dress she wanted to wear.
“She went to the seamstress to take measurements. From that moment on it was one big nightmare.’
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He added: “I never thought it could kill you.” [Ozempic]. It’s just terrible. I didn’t know this could happen to a person.
“She shouldn’t be gone, you know? It’s just not worth it, it’s not worth it at all.”
Ms Webster had previously tried going to the gym and going on a diet to lose some weight, but neither was successful.
She took Ozempic for three months, but switched to Saxenda – also from Novo Nordisk – when she couldn’t get the drug due to huge shortages.
More than nine million prescriptions for Ozempic were written in the last three months of 2022 in the US alone, as the drug continues to grow in popularity.
Many of these patients do not have diabetes, but are prescribed the drug off-label for its ability to suppress hunger and induce weight loss.
Deaths rarely occur in patients taking Ozempic.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) data shows 51 deaths have been reported among people using the drug. However, it is not clear how many of these people had the drug involved in their deaths.
There have also been 18 deaths among people using Saxenda, out of about four million prescriptions filled each year.
Two deaths in Ozempic patients previously prompted the agency to add the side effect “ileus” to the drug’s warnings.
There is a major shortage of Ozempic in Australia, forcing patients to use other drugs such as Saxenda. Data shows that three deaths among people on Ozempic and one among those on Saxenda have been reported in the country.
Ozempic and Saxenda work by mimicking a hormone in the body that tells a person they are full to suppress hunger, causing patients to eat less and lose weight.
The medication also slows the passage of food through the stomach and small intestine, making you feel fuller for longer.
The FDA says this increases the risk of someone suffering from ileus, a condition in which the intestines are partially or completely blocked.
Mrs. Webster’s condition worsened when she collapsed and began foaming a brown substance from her mouth. Her husband attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and turned her onto her side, but she was pronounced dead later that evening
Mrs. Webster, pictured above, should still be alive, her husband said. He wants an investigation into her cause of death
Patients with this condition are at increased risk of intestinal perforation – or rupture – or sepsis – in which the immune system goes out of control and attacks the body’s cells – which can be fatal.
Warning signs of ileus include severe abdominal pain and bloating, vomiting, severe constipation and cramping.
Dr. Michael Camilleri, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, told DailyMail.com that Ms. Webster’s case was a “cautionary tale” for patients taking Ozempic and its sister drugs.
He said: “Deaths on Ozempic are extremely rare.”
“But when patients taking these classes of medications develop chronic gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and postprandial fullness [or feeling excessively full] or vomiting, delayed gastric emptying may occur and there is a risk of pulmonary aspiration [when food or substances from the stomach are inhaled into the lungs].
“If so, anyone taking Ozempic or similar medications should stop taking the medication and consult a gastroenterologist.”
“You should also have a gastric emptying procedure to see if your stomach empties more slowly.”
Dr. Caroline Apovian, a weight management expert at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, told DailyMail.com: “While we cannot speculate on this particular case, complications are possible for anyone taking this medication.”
‘[Patients] should be closely monitored by an endocrinologist or other qualified health professional who can address any complications that may arise.”
Ozempic uses semaglutide to suppress appetite and slow down the digestive system, making people feel full even after a very small meal.
Saxenda works in a similar way, but uses a different drug called liraglutide.
A spokesman for Novo Nordisk said the complication of ileus was only noticed after “post-marketing approval”, or when the drug came on the market.
An FDA spokesperson said they continue to monitor for possible side effects from Ozempic.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
