A recent case report has shed light on a potentially alarming side effect associated with semaglutide, a medication prescribed for weight loss and diabetes management.
The report documents the case of a 47-year-old woman who experienced myalgias, muscle weakness, and elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels, all indicative of rhabdomyolysis, a rare but serious condition involving muscle breakdown.
Rhabdomyolysis is characterized by symptoms such as muscle pain, weakness, and the presence of dark urine. It can have a range of causes, but this is the first time it has been linked to the use of Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists, a class of medications that includes semaglutide.
The patient in this case initially exhibited symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, including elevated CK levels. However, upon discontinuation of semaglutide, her symptoms rapidly improved. Intriguingly, when she was later rechallenged with a lower dose of semaglutide, her symptoms returned, and a urinalysis revealed myoglobinuria, confirming the diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis once again. Remarkably, her symptoms once again subsided upon discontinuation of the medication.
Rhabdomyolysis is a condition that, when left untreated, can lead to severe complications, including electrolyte imbalances, cardiac arrhythmias, and acute renal failure. CK levels in rhabdomyolysis patients are typically elevated to five times or more above the upper limit of normal.
To date, there have been no reported cases associating GLP-1 agonists with rhabdomyolysis, making this revelation a significant milestone in medical research.
This case has prompted questions about whether rhabdomyolysis is potentially a specific side effect of semaglutide or if it could extend to other GLP-1 agonists. Further studies are essential to investigate the mechanism behind this link and assess the potential risk posed by GLP-1 agonists as a class.
