Ozempic and similar weight loss drugs may impact medical imaging results
Ozempic and similar weight loss drugs may impact PET-CT imaging results, according to new research.
GLP-1 receptor agonists, also used to treat type 2 diabetes, have surged in popularity, with a 700% increase in U.S. usage between 2019 and 2023. These drugs alter glucose metabolism and the movement of food through the digestive system and can lead to unique uptake patterns on imaging.
Radiologists misinterpreting such findings could produce a domino effect of unnecessary follow-up investigations, inappropriate cancer staging and delays in treatment. This also could cause added stress and uncertainty for patients, according to new research presented Oct. 7 at the 38th Annual Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine.
“Recognizing the characteristic uptake associated with GLP-1 agonists helps avoid unnecessary anxiety and interventions, ensuring patients receive the right care, at the right time, without detours or doubt,” Dr. Peter Strouhal, radiologist and medical director of Alliance Medical Ltd., an independent provider of imaging services based in the U.K., said in a statement.
For their study, researchers retrospectively analyzed oncologic FDG PET-CT scans from patients taking GLP-1 agonists at the time. They observed atypical patterns of tracer uptick, which radiologists and other physicians could misinterpret as pathology, if they don’t factor in the individual’s medication history.
Dr. Strouhal and colleagues do no recommend altering patient imaging prep, nor stopping individuals from taking these drugs prior to FDG PET-CT scans. Rather, they’re urging imaging providers to carefully document patients’ medication histories to help inform interpretation while medical societies develop formal guidance. U.K. guidelines do not yet address this concern, though Australian providers recommend continuing treatment, fasting from midnight, scheduling morning scans and ensuring good glucose control.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.