In a wide-ranging Gut Check podcast hosted by Dr. Brian Lacy (Mayo Clinic), gastroenterologist Dr. Micheal Tadros (Albany Med Health System) dives into the expanding GI implications of GLP-1 receptor agonists—drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Once used primarily for diabetes, these agents are now reshaping care for obesity, fatty liver disease, and more.
Dr. Tadros discusses not only their proven weight loss benefits (up to 20%) but also the cascade of GI side effects—including nausea, delayed gastric emptying, and gallbladder complications—that now land these patients in endoscopy suites. He highlights a nuanced, individualized approach to pre-procedure guidance, balancing aspiration risks with therapeutic benefits.