Sepsis / Septicemia
Users on Reddit have reported a few instances of sepsis or septicemia occurring while on GLP-1 medications, though the direct causality and context vary.
Experiences with Sepsis/Septicemia:
Another user on semaglutide mentioned, "Appendicitis is possible with semaglutide, but the Saphnelo lowering the immune system made me septic much quicker than would be normal. " This user had appendicitis, and the sepsis was attributed to a quicker progression due to an immunosuppressant medication (Saphnelo) taken alongside the GLP-1. The user did resume semaglutide and reported doing well. [2]
A third case involved a patient on Mounjaro who experienced a cascade of issues: "significant weight loss —> gallstones —> cholecystitis —> cholecystectomy —> intra op bowel perforation —> severe sepsis with prolonged hospitalization. " Here, sepsis was a severe complication following surgery for cholecystitis, which itself was linked to gallstones potentially formed due to rapid weight loss on the GLP-1 medication. [3]
Remedies or Preventions Recommended:
The discussions do not offer direct remedies for sepsis itself but highlight some preventative considerations or actions taken:
The user who experienced sepsis related to appendicitis and Saphnelo did resume semaglutide, implying that once the acute septic event and its primary cause (appendicitis) were resolved, the GLP-1 was not deemed the sole or prohibitive factor. [2]
The general context of the discussions around severe side effects often implies that discontinuation of the GLP-1 medication is a common step when severe complications arise, although this is not a specific remedy for sepsis but a risk mitigation strategy.
Experiences with Sepsis/Septicemia:
- One user described a patient who, after their first GLP-1 dose, "walked into an ER floridly septic in respiratory distress.
Remedies or Preventions Recommended:
The discussions do not offer direct remedies for sepsis itself but highlight some preventative considerations or actions taken:
- In the case of sepsis following pneumonia, the patient "did not restart GLP-1 and is now back to using CPAP nightly," suggesting that managing underlying conditions (like OSA) that could be exacerbated by GLP-1 side effects (like delayed gastric emptying) is crucial.