Kidney Issues (Acute Injury / Failure / Decline in Function)
Users on Reddit have reported instances of kidney issues, including acute kidney injury and decline in kidney function, while on GLP-1 medications. Dehydration due to gastrointestinal side effects is often cited as a contributing factor.
Experiences with Kidney Issues:
Another user mentioned seeing "Liver kidney failure" as a severe side effect. [1]
A comment highlighted that "Acute Kidney Injury: Has occurred. Monitor renal function when initiating or escalating doses of WEGOVY in patients reporting severe adverse gastrointestinal reactions or in those with renal impairment reporting severe adverse gastrointestinal reactions (5. 5). " This appears to be from official medication information shared on Reddit. [3]
One user noted that "Pancreatitis and AKI from dehydration are the most common serious effects. "[4]
A user mentioned that GLP-1s are being shown to "lower progression of CKD" (Chronic Kidney Disease), suggesting a potential benefit in some contexts, though this is not a direct user experience of an adverse event. [5]
It's important to note that not all kidney issues are directly caused by the medication as a primary effect. For example, one user stated, "Lots of medications taken in extreme excess of their prescribed dosage can cause renal failure, so it’s not really a helpful data point to the discussion" when discussing an overdose scenario. [6]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
Monitoring Renal Function: As stated in what appears to be medication guidance shared by a user, it's recommended to "Monitor renal function when initiating or escalating doses... in patients reporting severe adverse gastrointestinal reactions or in those with renal impairment reporting severe adverse gastrointestinal reactions. "[3]
Managing Gastrointestinal Side Effects: Since dehydration from severe GI side effects like vomiting and diarrhea can lead to Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)[4], managing these primary side effects is crucial. One user described a case where "Dose change of ozempic caused severe vomiting and diarrhea that led to dehydration," which then led to other serious complications, underscoring the importance of managing GI issues to prevent secondary problems like AKI. [9]
It is also worth noting that the FDA has approved Ozempic for chronic kidney disease in diabetic patients, suggesting a complex relationship where the drug might be harmful in some contexts (e. g. , via dehydration) but beneficial in others (e. g. , by managing diabetes which itself is a risk factor for kidney disease). [10] One user commented on this, saying, "But given how uncontrolled hyperglycemia chronically due to diabetes contribute to kidney injury in the long run, not hard to imagine GLP1a helping with glycemic control will reduce that type of damage further.
Experiences with Kidney Issues:
- One user reported a significant decline in kidney function: "GFR 80 to 8 in 8 months or less.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Hydration: Maintaining adequate fluid intake is frequently emphasized to prevent complications, including those that could lead to kidney issues.
It is also worth noting that the FDA has approved Ozempic for chronic kidney disease in diabetic patients, suggesting a complex relationship where the drug might be harmful in some contexts (e. g. , via dehydration) but beneficial in others (e. g. , by managing diabetes which itself is a risk factor for kidney disease). [10] One user commented on this, saying, "But given how uncontrolled hyperglycemia chronically due to diabetes contribute to kidney injury in the long run, not hard to imagine GLP1a helping with glycemic control will reduce that type of damage further.