Health cautions
What can go wrong, and who will help?
Ask about common problems, rare serious problems and how to get help quickly.
What do the medicine labels flag?
The labels for semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide carry a boxed warning, the most serious type of warning the FDA puts on a label. It is about thyroid tumors seen in animals; whether these medicines cause the tumors in people is not known.
They also warn about serious stomach problems and about problems with the pancreas, gallbladder and kidneys. They warn about serious allergic reactions too. And food left in the stomach can be breathed into the lungs during surgery or a procedure when you are put to sleep.
One sign the labels name is stomach pain that is severe or will not go away. It sometimes spreads to the back and can point to an inflamed pancreas. Tell the clinician straight away.
Do not use this list to decide on your own whether the medicine is safe for you. Use it to make sure the clinician reviews your history, other medicines and any planned operations.
Urgent help
When is an allergic reaction an emergency?
A severe allergic reaction can come on in seconds or minutes; treat it as an emergency and call 911.
Signs of a severe reaction can include gasping for air, a puffy face or tongue, fainting, and hives over much of the body.