An Australian woman named Trish Webster lost her life to acute gastrointestinal illness, which her husband Roy believes was a result of taking Ozempic, a drug primarily used for type 2 diabetes management but known for its weight loss effects. Trish, who did not have diabetes, started taking Ozempic after seeing a TV commercial in 2022, obtaining a prescription with the aim of slimming down for her daughter’s wedding.
Despite losing 16 kilos after switching from Ozempic to another weight loss injectable, Saxenda, Trish’s health deteriorated. Roy recounts her struggle with constant illness, including symptoms like diarrhea and nausea. Trish persisted with the medication, motivated by the desire to fit into a specific dress for her daughter’s wedding.
However, her condition worsened dramatically in January, leading to her untimely death. Her death certificate cites acute gastrointestinal illness as the cause, and while it does not directly link the drugs to her death, Roy believes they played a significant role. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines gastrointestinal illness as inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
Ozempic, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, is approved for lowering blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients, and while it has a side effect of inducing weight loss, it is not marketed as a weight-loss drug. The active ingredient, semaglutide, increases insulin production and suppresses appetite, according to Dr. Antonio Pescador Jr., a specialist in diet, nutrition, and endocrinology. He notes that while side effects are generally mild, they can vary in severity depending on the patient’s profile.