Top Line
European medical officials have urged patients taking GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes drugs who will be sedated for upcoming surgeries to warn their doctors about the drugs’ use to avoid the risk of a rare respiratory complication called aspiration, which several other medical groups have previously investigated.
Patients’ perceptions of surgeons and doctors administering general anesthesia to patients
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Key Facts
The European Medicines Agency has a new Recommendations On Friday, patients taking GLP-1 drugs Ozempic,Wegovi, Munjaro Seppbound says people should let their doctors know before surgery to minimize the risk of respiratory adverse events that may be caused by the drug.
GLP-1s It is a drug designed to manage type 2 diabetes and obesity by lowering blood sugar and HbA1c, suppressing appetite by acting on the hunger part of the brain, and slowing the process of food being emptying from the stomach, helping patients feel fuller for longer.
Delayed gastric emptying can result in food remaining in the stomach even if patients have fasted the night before surgery, which can lead to aspiration and a rare respiratory complication called aspiration pneumonia, the EMA said.
The agency said it did not find a causal relationship between GLP-1 and aspiration, but did find a “biologically plausible risk” after reviewing the available evidence to support its decision, including case reports, scientific literature, and clinical and nonclinical data.
The EMA said it would include a warning in the drug’s product information saying patients should tell their doctor about their use of GLP-1 drugs before undergoing anesthesia or surgery requiring deep sedation.
What is aspiration and aspiration pneumonia?
desire According to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, bronchitis occurs when a substance, such as food or liquid, accidentally enters a person’s airways and lungs. This can happen if: Aspiration pneumoniaAspiration pneumonia is a serious infection of the lungs, known as the “silent killer.” Aspiration pneumonia doesn’t always have many symptoms, and if left untreated, it can be fatal. People who eat in a hurry, have had general anesthesia, have problems swallowing or coughing, are over 65 years old, have a weakened immune system, use a feeding tube, have had a stroke, drink large amounts of alcohol, and are unable to chew properly are at highest risk for aspiration and aspiration pneumonia. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing up blood or pus, chest pain, bad breath, extreme fatigue, feeling tired while eating, feeling of choking, pain when swallowing, chronic chest congestion, and fever after eating.
Main Background
The EMA’s decision came later. Asked Four GLP-1 drug makers, including Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, plan to provide more information on possible sedation complications in 2023. 2,000 to 3,000 Many patients require sedation for surgery, and about half of them develop related lung damage. The Food and Drug Administration began investigating in January whether GLP-1 could cause side effects such as aspiration or hair loss, CBS News reported. ReportsThe American Society of Anesthesiologists advice Patients receiving weekly injections in 2023 will be required to stop taking GLP-1 drugs at least one week before surgery due to the increased risk of food regurgitation or aspiration into the airways and lungs during general anesthesia and deep sedation. It is called Because of the risk of aspiration, patients should discontinue taking GLP-1 at least 3 weeks before undergoing anesthesia.
Big numbers
12%. That’s how many American adults are taking GLP-1 drugs, according to a May survey. report According to KFF, a nonprofit health policy organization.
