GLP-1 Drugs and the Effects on the Pancreas
- For people taking GLP-1 drugs, such as the mega-popular weight-loss drug Ozempic (semaglutide) — intended for type 2 diabetes patients and people with obesity — there has been some concern about the effects on the pancreas and whether or not there is a potential risk of pancreatic cancer for people using these medications.
- These concerns were addressed in 2013, well before Ozempic’s use skyrocketed in mid-2022 as a revolutionary diet drug, which is why it’s important to reassess in 2025.
- GLP-1 drugs bind to pancreatic cells and trigger them to secrete insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas, which is why GLP-1 drugs are most commonly prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition where the body does not use insulin properly.
- Experts tell SurvivorNet that while taking GLP-1 drugs can possibly lead to inflammation in the pancreas or pancreatitis, there is no clear date for the medication putting people at a higher risk for pancreatic cancer.
- For anyone using GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, or for its intended prescribed purpose, be sure to report any side effects immediately to your medical team, and of course, be sure to consult with them before you take the medication to determine whether or not it is right for you and your personal health history.
These concerns were addressed in 2013, well before Ozempic’s use skyrocketed in mid-2022 as a revolutionary diet drug in Hollywood, which is why it’s important to reassess in 2025. The FDA had investigated these possible risks, referred to as “pre-cancerous cellular changes,” but nothing concrete was ever determined.
Read More“[GLP-1 drugs] also slow gastric emptying and decrease glucagon secretion,” Dr. Yeo adds.
Glucagon, per Cleveland Clinic, is “a hormone your body uses to raise your blood sugar levels when necessary.” So, GLP-1 “prevents more glucose from going into your bloodstream.”
While there has been some concern with the drugs causing inflammation and other unwanted side effects, Dr. Yeo says there is “no clear data” with pancreatic cancer risk.
“There have been some studies that show they [GLP-1 drugs] make the pancreas more active and cause inflammation and cell growth increasing the risk for pancreatitis. However, there is no clear data to suggest that they predispose to pancreatic cancer.”
Based on current data, Dr. Yeo notes that “GLP-1 drugs are not associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in the general population.
“However,” she adds, “individuals should talk with their doctors about the risks and benefits unique to them to know if a particular GLP-1 drug is right for them.”
Continuing, Dr. Yeo notes that in many of the studies, people who were on the GLP-1s were patients with diabetes and obesity.
“These patients in general are more prone to pancreatitis/pancreatic cancer — as both have been linked to obesity — so the earlier studies may have been associations and not necessarily caused by the drugs.”
As far as some positive health benefits, Dr. Yeo says that “these drugs are associated with improved cardiovascular health and that is a much more frequent event and more likely to prolong life.”
Furthermore, Dr. Yeo says “there is a general recommendation that these drugs should not be taken in someone who has a history of pancreatitis and this may exacerbate their risk in someone already prone to it, which makes sense — the mechanism of slowing down digestion and stimulating pancreatic cells could aggravate things in someone with pancreatitis for other reasons.”
But in the general population, Dr. Yeo says, “any risk is very small.”
As far as side effects for people taking these drugs, “As a GI surgeon, the side effects are why the drugs work well. They decrease appetite because they slow down digestion. This may lead to nausea, GI upset, and constipation. These are the most common side effects I see in my practice. So the drugs need to be taken in the context of other health issues and side effects should be managed with their physicians.”
What Is Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, is the swelling, or inflammation, of the pancreas. This can occur when enzymes or digestive juices attack the organ, which sits behind the stomach on the left side of your abdomen. It is close to the duodenum, which is the first part of the small instestine.
The two major roles of the pancreas are:
- To make enzymes and send them into the small intestine, helping to break down food.
- To make the hormones insulin and glucagon, described above, and to sent them into they bloodstream, controlling the body’s blood sugar level.
Pancreatitis may be sudden (acute) or ongoing (chronic).
Symptoms can include:
- severe belly pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- rapid heart rate
- fever
- swelling and soreness in your upper belly
- fluid buildup in your belly
- lowered blood pressure
- yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
Since some of these symptoms could also mean something more serious, such as pancreatic cancer or another type of disease, it is best to get checked out right away by your doctor with any concerning and/or lingering symptoms.
Learning About Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease that is difficult to detect because symptoms, including jaundice and weight loss, typically present at a later stage in the cancer’s development.
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Anirban Maitra, the co-leader of the Pancreatic Cancer Moon Shot at MD Anderson Cancer Center, explained what he typically sees with his patients.
“Because the pancreas is inside the abdomen [it] often doesn’t have symptoms that would tell you that something is wrong with your pancreas,” Dr. Maitra said. “By the time individuals walk into the clinic with symptoms like jaundice, weight loss, back pain or diabetes, it’s often very late in the stage of the disease.”
Detecting Pancreatic Cancer Early
Parents, siblings and children of someone with pancreatic cancer are considered high risk for developing the disease because they are first-degree relatives of the individual. PGVs (pathogenic germline variants) are changes in reproductive cells (sperm or egg) that become part of the DNA in the cells of the offspring.
Germline variants are passed from parents to their children, and are associated with increased risks of several cancer types, including pancreatic, ovarian and breast cancers. Germline mutations in ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CKDN2A, PALB2, PRSS1, STK11 and TP53 are associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
Genetic counselor Jessica Everett — formerly of NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, now Senior Director of Researcher Strategy at UC San Diego — encourages people in this category to look into possible screening options.
“If you’re concerned about pancreatic cancer in your family, start by talking to a genetic counselor to learn more about your risk and what options you have,” Everett previously told SurvivorNet.
Additionally, according to the American Cancer Society, up to ten percent of pancreatic cancer cases are caused by inherited genetic syndromes. So, if two or more members of your family have had pancreatic cancer, or if you have pancreatic cysts, it’s worth asking your doctor to check for pancreatic cancer since you’re at high risk.
Health Risks Associated With Ozempic
Although people have had success with weight loss thanks to Ozempic, it’s important to understand there are dangers associated with “chasing skinny.” Healthcare company Lexicomp recently shared negative side effects of the medication, including an increased risk of cancer.
Lexicomp explains Ozempic as “an injectable prescription medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus that: along with diet and exercise may improve blood sugar (glucose),” noting it’s not the first choice of medicine for treating diabetes.
Major Reduction in Cancer Risk by Following Old Standbys Diet and Exercise
As for the most important information people should know before taking the drug, Lexicomp says Ozempic may cause serious side effects. Some of the possible side effects include:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
- changes in vision
- low blood sugar, kidney problems
- kidney failure
- serious allergic reactions.
“The most common side effects of OZEMPIC may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain and constipation. Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away,” Lexicomp states.
“These are not all the possible side effects of OZEMPIC. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.”
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center also says, regarding Lexicomp’s warning, “This drug has been shown to cause thyroid cancer in some animals. It is not known if this happens in humans.
“If thyroid cancer happens, it may be deadly if not found and treated early. Call your doctor right away if you have a neck mass, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or have hoarseness that will not go away.
“Do not use this drug if you have a health problem called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or if you or a family member have had thyroid cancer.”
The side effects that call for immediate medical attention, in regard to all uses of the drug, the MSKCC lists as:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
- Signs of gallbladder problems like pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; change in stools; dark urine or yellow skin or eyes; or fever with chills.
- Severe dizziness or passing out.
- A fast heartbeat.
- Change in eyesight.
- Low blood sugar can happen. The chance may be raised when this drug is used with other drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.
- Severe and sometimes deadly pancreas problems (pancreatitis) have happened with this drug. Call your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain, severe back pain, or severe upset stomach or throwing up.
For anyone using GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, or for its intended prescribed purpose, be sure to report any side effects immediately to your medical team, and of course, be sure to consult with them before you take the medication to determine whether or not it is right for you and your personal health history.
Contributing by SurvivorNet staff.
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