Nov. 6, 2024 – The FDA has updated the labels for all GLP-1 weight loss drugs with a warning about pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia or deep sedation. The affected drugs are liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza), semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound).

The FDA is warning that patients taking GLP-1s may be at a higher risk of inhaling fluid into their lungs while under anesthesia.

There’s been lots of attention on type 2 diabetes drugs recently, especially since they might also be able to support weight loss. Whether you have type 2 diabetes or obesity, you may have heard about medications like Ozempic® that can help manage blood sugar levels and weight.

In general, when a person prepares for a surgery, the guidance is to fast before going under anesthesia– but for patients, on gGLP-1's there may still be gastric juices, in the stomach, since the drugs slow down the process of emptying the stomach.