Weight-loss medications, notablyGLP-1receptor agonists such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, have ushered in a new era in the fight against obesity, offering dramatic weight loss and being credited with slashing the risk of serious health conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. However, recent findings and patient experiences are shedding light on potential concerning side effects, prompting further research and cautious monitoring.

A significant study, tracking nearly 44,000 overweight and obese individuals for up to ten years, has raised alarms regarding a potential link between these slimming injections and kidney cancer. While the overall cancer risk among users was found to be 17 percent lower with notable drops in ovarian, womb, and certain brain tumours, researchers observed a disturbing signal for kidney cancer.

Patients on these jabs were approximately a third more likely to develop the disease, with the risk being highest among those under 65 and overweight individuals. Kidney cancer, often dubbed a 'silent killer,' is one of the fastest-rising cancers in Britain and the US, with cases climbing sharply in younger adults, a trend partly attributed to rising obesity and high blood pressure.

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The study, published in JAMA Oncology, compared 43,317 jab users with 43,315 non-users, finding 83 kidney cancer cases among the former compared to 58 in the latter group. Dr. Hao Dai, who led the research, expressed concern and called for further observational studies to confirm this potential link. Theories for the increased risk include common side effects like severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration, which could trigger acute kidney injury over time, or the constant stimulation of GLP-1 receptors found in the kidneys, potentially leading to uncontrolled cell growth. Rapid weight loss and metabolic shifts might also play a role.

However, experts like Professor Paul Pharoah and Dr. Stephen Lawrence urge caution, emphasizing that association does not equate to causation and highlighting that the overall benefits of these drugs are substantial, with the kidney cancer risk increase being relatively small (estimated at six extra cases for every 10,000 patients treated over a year).

Beyond cancer concerns, users of GLP-1 drugs are increasingly reporting dental health issues, dubbed 'Ozempic teeth.' Symptoms include tooth decay, receding or sensitive gums, yellowing teeth, bad breath, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Hope Lancaster Colquhoun, a 42-year-old influencer, shared her distressing experience of losing nine stone on Mounjaro, only to find multiple teeth had snapped, leading to seven extractions and over £3,700 in dental costs.

Dental experts attribute these issues to several factors: acid reflux caused by slowed digestion (food remaining longer in the stomach), dry mouth (xerostomia) due to reduced thirst and saliva production (saliva is crucial for protecting teeth), and nutritional deficiencies from rapid weight loss or an imbalanced diet (lacking calcium and vitamin D). Eating softer, processed foods, often preferred by patients, can also contribute to plaque buildup and reduced facial muscle strength. The severity of these issues has even led to a lawsuit against Mounjaro and Ozempic manufacturers, alleging gastroparesis and subsequent tooth loss due to excessive vomiting.

Another common, albeit less severe, side effect is 'sulphur burps,' characterized by belches that smell of rotten eggs. This phenomenon occurs because the drugs slow the rate at which food leaves the stomach, allowing food to ferment inside the digestive tract and produce hydrogen sulphide gas. While not officially listed as a common side effect, reports have grown.

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Dr. Amit Kumar Singh and Nurse Rachael Joy suggest straightforward strategies to manage sulphur burps, including reducing sulphur-rich foods (eggs, onions, garlic), eating smaller meals, staying hydrated, avoiding fizzy drinks, and using over-the-counter remedies like simethicone or bismuth subsalicylate. They advise against activated charcoal supplements due to potential interference with other medications. Patients are urged to consult a clinician if burping is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, ongoing nausea, diarrhoea, weight loss, or blood in the stool.

Adding to user concerns, Mounjaro is facing a significant price hike in the UK, with the highest dose set to increase by over 170 percent from £122 to £330 per month from September. This has led to panic buying, shortages, and worries about patients resorting to black-market alternatives. While NHS pricing remains unaffected, private patients face steep increases. Despite these challenges and the emerging side effect profiles, medical professionals continue to stress the transformative benefits of these drugs for many individuals, emphasizing the importance of managing side effects effectively and consulting healthcare providers for guidance rather than abandoning treatment or seeking unsafe sources.