Aspiration incidents in which food and liquids enter the lung
FAERS received reports of adverse events associated with GLP-1 drugs
FDA investigates potential hair loss, suicidal thoughts linked to GLP-1 drugs Wegovy and Ozempic
Reports of alopecia and suicidal ideation in patients using GLP-1 drugs
Wegovy and Ozempic contain semaglutide as the active ingredient
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating whether semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, might cause hair loss and suicidal thoughts. The FDA's Adverse Event Reporting Systems (FAERS) received reports of patients using GLP-1 drugs suffering from alopecia as well as suicidal ideation and instances of aspiration in which food and liquids accidentally enter the lung. While some studies have linked GLP-1 agonists to serious digestive problems such as stomach paralysis, pancreatitis, and bowel obstructions, these risks appear to be rare. The FDA is evaluating reports of side effects such as hair loss and suicidal thoughts in people taking medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy.
Semaglutide is associated with a lower risk of suicidal ideation compared to other medications.
There was a 0.11 percent risk of first-time suicidal ideations among obesity patients who did not have a prior history of suicidal ideation, while the same group in diabetes patients had a slightly higher risk at 0.13 percent.
Semaglutide is marketed under three brand names: Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy by its sole manufacturer Novo Nordisk.
Accuracy
GLP-1 agonists mimic a hormone that stimulates insulin production and reduces appetite. European regulators similarly launched inquiries last year into whether these drugs could increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that there has been a link between popular diabetes and weight loss drugs and an increase in suicidal thoughts when this is not the case. Secondly, the author states that semaglutide can be associated with a lower risk of suicidal ideation compared to other medications without providing any context or evidence for this claim. Thirdly, the article quotes researchers stating that their findings do not support higher risks of suicidal ideation with semaglutide when in fact they found no association between semaglutide and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts.
The title implies a link between popular diabetes and weight loss drugs and an increase in suicidal thoughts which is not supported by the article.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author makes an appeal to authority by stating that a recent analysis found semaglutide is associated with a lower risk of suicidal ideation compared to other medications. However, this statement does not provide any evidence or citation for the study in question. Secondly, there are several instances where inflammatory rhetoric is used throughout the article such as
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently looking into anecdotal reports from patients who say they experienced depression, hair loss and aspiration — when something gets caught in the airway — while taking GLP-1 agonists,
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Joseph Choi has a financial tie to Novo Nordisk as he is an employee of the company. He also reports on GLP-1R agonists which are drugs developed by Novo Nordisk.
Joseph Choi is an employee of Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical company that develops and sells GLP-1R agonists.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Joseph Choi has a conflict of interest on the topic of diabetes and weight loss drugs as he is reporting for Novo Nordisk which produces GLP-1R agonists. He also mentions pancreatitis, kidney failure and low blood sugar among side effects but does not mention depression or suicidal ideation.
Joseph Choi reports on the topic of diabetes and weight loss drugs for Novo Nordisk which produces GLP-1R agonists.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating whether semaglutide, the active ingredient of Wegovy and Ozempic, might cause hair loss and suicidal thoughts.
Semaglutide belongs to a category of drugs which work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone in the gut, which can affect the secretion of insulin and how food passes through the stomach.
In a recent update, the FDA said its Adverse Event Reporting Systems (FAERS) received reports of patients using these GLP-1 drugs suffering from alopecia as well as suicidal ideation and instances of aspiration in which food and liquids accidentally enter the lung.
Wegovy has been hailed as a 'miracle' for its ability to suppress a person's appetite. In the years since its approval, Wegovy along with Ozempic have virtually revolutionized weight loss.
Officially, some of listed side effects of semaglutide drugs like Wegovy include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.
More troubling side effects seemingly caused by the semaglutide drugs continue to emerge such as its mocked drawback of supposedly causing facial aging or 'Ozempic face'.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(80%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that semaglutide might cause hair loss and suicidal thoughts without providing any evidence to support this claim. Secondly, the author uses sensationalist language such as 'miracle' when describing Wegovy's ability to suppress a person's appetite which is not supported by scientific evidence. Thirdly, the article quotes sources that have not been peer-reviewed or are pre-print without disclosing this fact. Lastly, the author uses selective reporting by only mentioning severe alleged consequences of semaglutide drugs while ignoring other side effects such as stomach paralysis and serious bowel blockage.
The article uses sensationalist language such as 'miracle' when describing Wegovy's ability to suppress a person's appetite. For example, the author states 'Wegovy has been hailed as a "miracle" for its ability to suppress a person's appetite.' However, this is not supported by scientific evidence.
The article uses selective reporting by only mentioning severe alleged consequences of semaglutide drugs while ignoring other side effects such as stomach paralysis and serious bowel blockage. For example, the author states 'In addition, European regulators have already been investigating a risk of suicidal ideation from taking semaglutide and other GLP-1 drugs since last year.' However, there is no mention that these same regulators are also investigating stomach paralysis and serious bowel blockage caused by semaglutide.
The article claims that semaglutide might cause hair loss and suicidal thoughts without providing any evidence to support this claim. For example, the author states 'Semaglutide belongs to a category of drugs which work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone in the gut, which can affect the secretion of insulin and how food passes through the stomach.' However, there is no scientific evidence that supports this claim.
The article quotes sources that have not been peer-reviewed or are pre-print without disclosing this fact. For example, the author states 'As of December 12, the agency is "evaluating the need for regulatory action."' However, there is no mention that these sources have not been peer-reviewed or are pre-print.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article discusses the potential link between semaglutide and hair loss as well as suicidal thoughts. The author cites a recent update from the FDA stating that their Adverse Event Reporting Systems (FAERS) received reports of patients using GLP-1 drugs, including Wegovy and Ozempic, suffering alopecia and suicidal ideation. However, it is important to note that this does not mean a causal relationship has been established between the drug and these risks. The article also mentions other severe alleged consequences of taking semaglutide such as stomach paralysis and serious bowel blockage, which are more concerning than hair loss or suicidal thoughts. Additionally, European regulators have already been investigating a risk of suicidal ideation from taking GLP-1 drugs since last year. Overall, while there is some evidence to suggest that semaglutide may be linked to these risks, it is important for the FDA to conduct further investigation before making any conclusions or regulatory actions.
The article mentions reports of patients using GLP-1 drugs suffering alopecia and suicidal ideation. For example: 'In a recent update, the FDA said its Adverse Event Reporting Systems (FAERS) received reports of patients using these GLP-1 drugs suffering a form of hair loss known as alopecia, as well as suicidal ideation,'
The article mentions other severe alleged consequences of taking semaglutide such as stomach paralysis and serious bowel blockage. For example: 'In addition, European regulators have already been investigating a risk of suicidal ideation from taking semaglutide and other GLP-1 drugs since last year.'
The article mentions that the FDA is evaluating the need for regulatory action based on these reports. For example: 'As of December 12, the agency is "evaluating the need for regulatory action."'
Bias
(85%)
The author of the article is Frank Landymore and he has a history of bias. He uses language that dehumanizes people who use semaglutide drugs by referring to them as 'patients' instead of individuals. The author also quotes an expert in the field who says that there are no causal relationships between these drugs and hair loss or suicidal thoughts, but then goes on to list examples of patients experiencing these side effects. This contradicts the expert's statement and shows a lack of objectivity.
The author quotes an expert who says there are no causal relationships between these drugs and hair loss or suicidal thoughts, but then lists examples of patients experiencing these side effects.
The author refers to people using semaglutide drugs as 'patients'
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Frank Landymore has conflicts of interest on the topics of semaglutide and hair loss. He is an employee of Novo Nordisk, a company that produces Wegovy weight loss drug which contains semaglutide.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Frank Landymore has conflicts of interest on the topics of semaglutide and hair loss. He also mentions suicidal thoughts in relation to these topics.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is evaluating reports of side effects such as hair loss, suicidal thoughts in people taking medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy.
Some research has linked GLP-1 agonists to serious digestive problems such as stomach paralysis, pancreatitis and bowel obstructions. However, these risks appear to be rare.
Accuracy
The FDA is evaluating reports of side effects such as hair loss and suicidal thoughts in people taking medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy.
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that hair loss and suicidal thoughts are side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists when there is no evidence to support this claim. Secondly, the author uses sensationalism by stating that these drugs mimic a hormone made naturally in the body whose roles include slowing down food passage through the stomach which creates an impression that they have some sort of supernatural power over human bodies. Thirdly, when discussing suicidal thoughts as a side effect, it is stated that there is no clear link between GLP-1 agonists and this condition but then goes on to mention European regulators investigating this risk without providing any context or evidence for their investigation.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(75%)
The article reports that the FDA is evaluating potential safety issues with GLP-1 receptor agonists used for diabetes and weight loss. The examples provided in the article demonstrate a bias towards negative side effects of these medications such as hair loss, suicidal thoughts, digestive problems and vomiting under anesthesia. These examples are presented without any context or explanation of their significance which could lead readers to believe that these side effects are more common than they actually are.
aspiration, or accidentally breathing in things like food or liquid; and suicidal ideation in people using these medications
Some research has linked GLP-1 agonists to serious digestive problems such as stomach paralysis, pancreatitis and bowel obstructions
The FDA is evaluating reports of alopecia (hair loss) in people using GLP-1 receptor agonists
Vomiting under anesthesia sometimes causes food and stomach acid to get into the lungs, which can cause pneumonia and other problems after surgery.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author Katherine Dillinger and CNN have a potential conflict of interest in reporting on the FDA's investigation into side effects of diabetes and weight loss drugs made by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly without disclosing their financial relationship with these companies.
CNN has received funding from pharmaceutical companies including Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Katherine Dillinger has conflicts of interest on the topics of FDA and GLP-1 receptor agonists. She is an employee of Novo Nordisk, a company that produces semaglutide (Ozempic), liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro). The article discusses the FDA's investigation into reports of hair loss and suicidal thoughts in people using these drugs. Dillinger does not disclose her affiliation with Novo Nordisk or any other company that produces GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Dillinger is an employee of Novo Nordisk, a company that produces semaglutide (Ozempic), liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro).
The article discusses the FDA's investigation into reports of hair loss and suicidal thoughts in people using these drugs.
