Fat jab warning over new deadly BRAIN side effect that risks permanent memory loss

SLIMMERS were today warned that weight loss jabs could trigger a rare brain side effect not listed by manufacturers. Once aimed at diabetes patients, drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are now famous for bringing about rapid weight loss by reducing appetite. Wernicke encephalopathy is a potentially life-threatening neurological disorder caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin B1 Credit: Getty But the injections often come with side effects, from nausea and constipation and, in most severe cases, life-threatening organ damage. Now, scientists have warned that the medication could also trigger the serious brain condition Wernicke encephalopathy, which left untreated can lead to permanent memory loss, brain damage and even prove fatal. Sign up for the Health newsletter Thank you! Wernicke encephalopathy is a potentially life-threatening neurological disorder caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin B1. Early symptoms include confusion and problems with balance or co-ordination. READ MORE ON WEIGHT LOSS JABS Experts believe that the jabs, known medically as GLP-1 drugs, can contribute to vitamin deficiencies by suppressing appetite and reducing food intake, including foods rich in vitamin B1, such as fish and whole grains. In the study, Israeli researchers assessed FAERS, a global safety surveillance program that includes voluntary and mandatory adverse event reports submitted by healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers. The database was screened for safety reports involving adults on weight loss jabs between July 1, 2014, and September 30, 2024. They identified 15 cases reported in 2023 and 2024 among people taking GLP-1 medications containing semaglutide, found in Ozempic and Wegovy, or tirzepatide, found in Mounjaro and Zepbound. Most read in Health The majority of Wernicke encephalopathy cases (10) were recorded in the US, followed by Europe and Asia which both logged two cases. Writing in the journal Clinical Nutrition, the scientists from Sheba Medical Center in Ramat-Gan, said: “Most patients [13 of 15] reported gastrointestinal manifestations of either weight loss, vomiting, loss of appetite or malnutrition.” The most commonly reported neurological symptoms were confusion/altered mental status, in eight cases, and difficulty walking, in seven cases, the scientists added. Two patients also suffered hypovolemia, a condition where the volume of blood circulating in the body drops dangerously low. What is Wernicke encephalopathy? Wernicke encephalopathy is a brain and memory disorder that requires immediate treatment. It happens due to a severe lack of thiamine (vitamin B1), which causes damage to your brain. Thiamine is an essential vitamin that your body uses to convert food into energy. Without enough vitamin B, patients can develop confusion, problems with balance and coordination, and abnormal eye movements. People should stay alert for a cluster of symptoms rather than waiting for all three to appear at once. Common warning signs include: New confusion, disorientation, or sudden memory problems Blurred or double vision, drooping eyelids, or unusual eye movements Difficulty walking, poor balance, or a sudden loss of coordination Any one of these symptoms appearing alongside prolonged vomiting or dramatic weight loss on a GLP-1 medication calls for an immediate thiamine evaluation, experts say. Treatment involves urgently administering thiamine into the body via a drip. Fixing low magnesium levels and eating healthy foods can also help recovery. Source: BMJ and Davis & Davis It also took roughly four months on average to develop Wernicke encephalopathy symptoms after starting the jabs. “This real-world study suggests a potential novel safety signal of Wernicke encephalopathy following GLP-1 treatment,” the scientists wrote. “Given that most cases were reported in the last two years and GLP-1 treatment for obesity is expanding, we advocate for focused surveillance to assess its incidence,” they added. “Additionally, as Wernicke encephalopathy is preventable and treatable, increased awareness among prescribing physicians is warranted.” More research, however, is needed to confirm that there is a proven link between the jabs and the condition. Karthik Achari, a Chicago-based clinician who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital: “Researchers went through adverse event reports and the medical literature and found a small number of cases, 15, of Wernicke encephalopathy in people taking GLP-1 drugs. “That’s out of millions of people on these medications. “But it’s real, it’s serious, and the mechanism makes sense,” he added. Immediate treatment is necessary to prevent serious side effects of Wernicke encephalopathy. While there isn’t a cure, healthcare providers can recommend treatments to manage your symptoms. More than 1.6 million adults in the UK are now believed to be using weight loss jabs like Wegovy and Mounjaro. Like any medication, the jabs can cause side effects that vary in both frequency and severity. Earlier this year, the UK medicines regulator the MHRA, slapped warnings on semaglutide jabs – Wegovy and Ozempic – warning that the drug could raise the risk of two separate conditions. These include nonarteritic ischemic anterior optic neuropathy (NAION), also known as an “eye stroke”, and acute pancreatitis, which is often linked to gallstones. The condition occurs when the pancreas – a small organ, located behind the stomach that aids digestion – becomes inflamed over a short period of time. However, overall risk of developing the condition while on the jabs remained “very rare”, UK medicines watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said. The 7 fat jab mistakes stopping you losing weight WHILE weight loss jabs have been hailed as a breakthrough in helping tackle Britain’s obesity crisis, some users say they’re missing out on their waist-shrinking powers – and it could be down to some simple mistakes… POOR PENMANSHIP Many people don’t correctly use the injection pen, according to Ana Carolina Goncalves, a pharmacist at Pharmica in Holborn, London. Make sure to prime your weight loss pen correctly, as per the instructions. If nothing comes out, try again, and if it still doesn’t work, switch the needle or ask a pharmacist for help. It’s also recommended to rotate injection sites between the abdomen, thigh and upper arm to avoid small lumps of fat under the skin. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE Make sure you’re using the jabs on the most effective day of your schedule. For example, taking the jab right before a takeaway or party won’t stop you from indulging, says Jason Murphy, head of pharmacy and weight loss expert at Chemist4U. Weight loss injections need time to build up in your system, so if you’re planning for a heavier weekend, inject your dose mid-week. MAKING A MEAL OF IT You may not feel the urge to overeat at mealtimes due to the jabs. But skipping meals altogether can backfire, says Dr David Huang, director of clinical innovation at weight loss service Voy. If a person is extremely malnourished, their body goes into emergency conservation mode, where their metabolism slows down. FOOD FOR THOUGHT A key mistake using weight loss jabs is not eating the right foods. As well as cutting out sugary drinks and alcohol, Dr Vishal Aggarwal, Healthium Clinics recommends focusing on your protein intake. DE-HYDRATION STATIONS Dehydration is a common side effect of weight loss injections. But it’s important to stay hydrated in order for your body to function properly. Dr Crystal Wyllie, GP at Asda Online Doctor, says hydration supports metabolism, digestion, and can reduce side effects like headaches, nausea and constipation. MOVE IT, MOVE IT It can be easy to see the jabs as a quick fix, but stopping exercising altogether is a mistake, says Mital Thakrar, a pharmacist from Well Pharmacy. Exercise helps maintain muscle mass and help shape the body as you lose weight, which may be crucial if you’re experiencing excess skin. QUIT IT While there’s the tendency to ditch the jabs as soon as you reach your desired weight, stopping them too soon can cause rapid regain. Mr Thakrar recommends building habits like healthier eating during treatment for sustaining results. Comment now