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Concern Grows Over New Pain Sensitivity Linked to Ozempic and Other Weight Loss Medications

January, 17, 2025-02:48

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Concern Grows Over New Pain Sensitivity Linked to Ozempic and Other Weight Loss Medications

A leading physician has discussed a concerning new symptom he has noticed among patients using Ozempic.
Dr. Daniel Rosen, a surgeon and obesity medicine expert in New York, reports that a "significant number" of his patients have developed a condition known as allodynia, which is characterized by heightened sensitivity to pain.

According to Dr. Rosen, this condition can make everyday activities, such as wearing clothes, feel painful, as well as the sensation of "wind against the skin."
Patients often liken this skin irritation to a severe sunburn, with simple touch igniting a sharp, stinging, or burning pain.

The weight loss specialist notes that some individuals taking GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic and Mounjaro, have experienced heightened sensitivity particularly on their shoulders, thighs, and backs.
He mentions encountering reports of this condition associated with semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) within the medical community, although cases related to terzepatide (commonly known as Zepbound and Mounjaro) have yet to be documented.
In his practice, Dr. Rosen has observed the majority of allodynia cases occurring in patients on higher doses of terzepatide.

He speculates that weight loss medications may be inducing skin nerve sensitivity "in some manner," although insufficient research exists to pinpoint the exact cause of this side effect. To mitigate allodynia, Dr. Rosen has adjusted the dosage of weight loss medication for affected patients.
He finds that such changes often lead to immediate relief of symptoms, or in some cases, a more gradual improvement over time.

Prescription medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are all injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists that mimic a hormone in the body responsible for regulating the digestive process—slowing it down.
This mechanism reduces appetite, resulting in lower food intake.
Clinical trials indicate that individuals taking these medications for obesity typically lost between 15 to 22 percent of their body weight.
A survey by the independent health policy firm KFF reveals that 12 percent of adults in the U.S. have tried GLP-1 drugs, including 6 percent (20.1 million individuals) currently on them.

Common reported side effects from these medications include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, constipation, and fatigue.

Similar to Dr. Rosen, other healthcare professionals have noticed patients reporting sensitive skin after initiating treatment.

Dr. Anastassia Amaro, a medical director and weight loss expert at Penn Medicine, shared: "A notable side effect I've observed recently is allodynia.
"Patients develop that unpleasant, painful [tingling or numb] skin sensation, particularly with semaglutide.
"I have yet to see this with tirzepatide, but have witnessed it with semaglutide—at least in two cases. One improved with a dose reduction, while another patient remained on it for a while before we switched to tirzepatide, and I'm awaiting the outcome."

Currently, no studies are examining the connection between weight loss medications and allodynia, and it is not officially recognized as a side effect by the FDA.

Though Dr. Rosen considers allodynia uncomfortable, he does not find it to be "extremely concerning" unless it becomes " bothersome."

Even then, he advises that patients should consider whether the condition is "worth discontinuing the meds and sacrificing their positive effects."

He points out that when patients reduce their weight loss medication and later reintroduce it gradually, allodynia symptoms have not returned.

For those taking weight loss medications, Dr. Rosen cautions that this is "something to monitor [and] if it arises, consult with your physician."