Latest news with #hepatitis
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Urgent health warning as the terrifying side effects of Ozempic emerge
Dozens of Aussie weight loss drug injection patients have complained of symptoms consistent with drug-induced hepatitis, sparking a warning from experts for regular GP check-ups. Patients on GLP-1 agonists Wegovy and Ozempic reported flu-like symptoms, fatigue, abdominal cramps and vomiting, thought to be related to liver injury. The most severe cases were rushed to hospital after experiencing symptoms associated with inflammation of the liver. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has received three separate reports of hepatitis or liver injury associated with semaglutide medicine use – marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy. Two patients were on Ozempic while the other was using Wegovy. Patients on Mounjaro have also expressed concerns online. 'Any of you on Mounjaro have had to stop taking it due to it affecting your liver? I'm currently in hospital with medication induced hepatitis and they're positive it's from the Mounjaro,' one woman wrote. Another commented: 'Wegovy badly affected my liver and I had to stop, fortunately I didn't end up in hospital'. The woman said she would have to stop her course of Mounjaro after switching from Wegovy after blood tests revealed that her liver function has been slightly abnormal. Experts have noted that, while rare, some patients had issues metabolising GLP-1 agonists. The issue could cause the development of hepatoxicity, a direct drug toxicity from the medicines. Medical experts urged patients on weight loss injections regular check-ups to avert permanent liver damage. Royal Australian College of GPs' Gary Deed said patients should always monitor symptoms when starting a new course of drugs. 'Many doses have been administered in clinical trials and there doesn't appear to be anything common, but any drug has issues to the metabolism in the kidney or liver, some more than others, for instance paracetamol,' he told the Daily Telegraph. 'Just be aware of signs and symptoms on the liver, one of the issues of using GLP-1 agonists is nausea and hepatoxicity can be hidden in that. 'Worldwide, these events are rare, but these case reports are just emerging and cannot be ignored and should be researched – these symptoms are a good wake-up call.' Many celebrities have openly talked about trying drug injections like Ozempic to assist with weight loss, including Aussie actress Rebel Wilson (above) Those using semaglutide injections should monitor any potential side-effects and regularly visit their GP for check-ups and weigh-ins. The TGA received their first hepatitis report associated with semaglutide in September 2022. No official reports so far have been associated with Mounjaro. Ozempic was first approved for use in Australia in August 2019. Wegovy was approved in September 2022 followed by Mounjaro three months later. The TGA advised patients who suspects they are suffering an adverse effect of any weight loss injection to contact a health professional. The governing body encourages patients to report all suspected adverse events. Semaglutide works by emulating a hormone called GLP-1 which helps regulate insulin, appetite and digestions among other roles.
Health Line
6 days ago
- General
- Health Line
Can I Have a Normal Liver Function Test with Cirrhosis?
Yes, it is possible to have a normal liver function test if you have cirrhosis, but this is rare. Cirrhosis is a condition that causes scarring and damage of the liver, which can prevent it from digesting food and removing waste from your body. Liver function tests (LFT) are blood tests that can assess how well your liver is functioning and detect any damage. However, in some cases, LFTs may show normal results despite the presence of cirrhosis in the liver. This can occur during the early stages of cirrhosis, when the liver has severe scarring or damage, but the body is still able to compensate for its decreased function. This is known as compensatedcirrhosis. It typically results in unnoticeable or mild symptoms, such as nausea and fatigue. A person can have compensatedcirrhosis for years and not feel unwell or see any signs of liver damage. What other methods can help detect cirrhosis? While LFTs may not always detect cirrhosis, there are several other tests that can pick up on potential liver damage. This includes: Medical history. A healthcare professional can identify your risk of developing cirrhosis by asking about your medical history, including if you have autoimmune disorders, have been exposed to hepatitis viruses in the past, or have a history of excessive alcohol consumption. Physical exam. When performing a physical exam, a healthcare professional may encounter potential signs of liver damage, such as a swollen or tender abdomen, yellowing of the eyes, or skin changes. Complete blood count. A complete blood count can pick up on reduced liver function. Ultrasound. A healthcare professional can pick up on potential signs of liver damage during an ultrasound. Liver biopsy. A liver biopsy involves taking a small sample of tissue from the liver, which can confirm a diagnosis of cirrhosis. However, this method is reserved for instances where there is a high suspicion of cirrhosis, but other tests have been inconclusive. If you think you may be at risk of developing cirrhosis, but are not noticing any signs, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They can perform some tests to identify any potential damage.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woman dies in car crash involving motorcycle in Western Mass.
A woman died in a crash between a car and a motorcycle early Saturday evening, according to WWLP. Agawam police responded to the crash at the intersection of Suffield Street and Adams Street shortly before 5:10 p.m., the news station reported. At the scene, officers found an unresponsive 26-year-old woman with severe injuries. Firefighters brought the woman to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield where she later died of her injuries, WWLP reported. Agawam and State Police and the Hampden County District Attorney's Office are investigating the crash. No further information — including the name of the victim — has been released. One arrested after Boston police officer is injured while responding to fight Here's which Mass. beaches are closed ahead of Memorial Day Diners at Cape Cod restaurant may have been exposed to hepatitis A Man struck and killed in hit-and-run crash on Cape Cod One dead, one in critical condition in double shooting in Boston Read the original article on MassLive.
Winnipeg Free Press
23-05-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Groups sue over West Virginia governor's order on religious exemptions for school vaccines
CHARLESTON, (AP) — Two groups filed a lawsuit Friday over an executive order by West Virginia Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey granting religious exemptions from required school vaccinations. The American Civil Liberties Union's West Virginia chapter and Mountain State Justice filed the lawsuit against the state Department of Health, its Bureau for Public Health and agency leaders on behalf of two parents in Kanawha County Circuit Court. The vaccine exemption was among several executive orders issued by Morrisey on his first full day in office in January. 'Governors do not rule by decree,' ACLU-West Virginia legal director Aubrey Sparks said in a statement. 'At the center of this lawsuit is who gets to make these decisions for our students. On this question, the state Constitution is clear that the authority lies with the Legislature, not the governor.' The governor's office and the Department of Health did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment Friday on the lawsuit. Morrisey's order upended a school vaccination policy long heralded by medical experts as one of the most protective in the country for kids. State law requires children to receive vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis B, measles, meningitis, mumps, diphtheria, polio, rubella, tetanus and whooping cough before starting school. The state does not require COVID-19 vaccinations. Legislation that would have allowed religious exemptions to vaccination requirements, among other things, was passed by the state Senate and rejected by the House of Delegates earlier this year. State schools Superintendent Michelle Blatt issued a memorandum to all 55 county superintendents May 2 recommending that students not be allowed to attend school in the 2025-26 without required immunizations. But that same day, Blatt rescinded the memo at Morrisey's request, according to the lawsuit. Morrisey later issued a statement saying he had no intention of rescinding the executive order. He said parents can apply for a religious exemption from vaccinations through the Bureau for Public Health. Last year, Republican then-Gov. Jim Justice vetoed a less sweeping vaccination bill passed by the Republican-supermajority Legislature that would have exempted private school and some nontraditional public school students from vaccination requirements. Morrisey, who served as West Virginia's attorney general from 2013 until he was sworn in as governor, said he believes religious exemptions to vaccinations should already be permitted under a 2023 law passed by the state Legislature called the Equal Protection for Religion Act. The law stipulates that the government can't 'substantially burden' someone's constitutional right to freedom of religion unless it can prove there is a 'compelling interest' to restrict that right. Morrisey has said that law hasn't 'been fully and properly enforced' since it passed. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Dr. Joshua Hess of Cabell County and Marisa Jackson of Kanawha County. It said Hess has a child who is immunocompromised and that Jackson has a child who, because of decreased community use of immunizations, is more susceptible to illness. Along with Mississippi, West Virginia is the U.S. state with the worst health outcomes and lowest life expectancy rates. 'Parents should be able to know their child will be safe when they send them off to school,' said Mountain State Justice executive director Sarah Brown. 'We are seeing the devastating effects of loosening vaccine requirements across the country, and that's why the Legislature wisely declined to loosen the restrictions here in West Virginia. It's vital that their decision not be undermined by the executive branch.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Groups sue over West Virginia governor's order on religious exemptions for school vaccines
CHARLESTON, (AP) — Two groups filed a lawsuit Friday over an executive order by West Virginia Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey granting religious exemptions from required school vaccinations. The American Civil Liberties Union's West Virginia chapter and Mountain State Justice filed the lawsuit against the state Department of Health, its Bureau for Public Health and agency leaders on behalf of two parents in Kanawha County Circuit Court. The vaccine exemption was among several executive orders issued by Morrisey on his first full day in office in January. 'Governors do not rule by decree,' ACLU-West Virginia legal director Aubrey Sparks said in a statement. 'At the center of this lawsuit is who gets to make these decisions for our students. On this question, the state Constitution is clear that the authority lies with the Legislature, not the governor.' The governor's office and the Department of Health did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment Friday on the lawsuit. Morrisey's order upended a school vaccination policy long heralded by medical experts as one of the most protective in the country for kids. State law requires children to receive vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis B, measles, meningitis, mumps, diphtheria, polio, rubella, tetanus and whooping cough before starting school. The state does not require COVID-19 vaccinations. Legislation that would have allowed religious exemptions to vaccination requirements, among other things, was passed by the state Senate and rejected by the House of Delegates earlier this year. State schools Superintendent Michelle Blatt issued a memorandum to all 55 county superintendents May 2 recommending that students not be allowed to attend school in the 2025-26 without required immunizations. But that same day, Blatt rescinded the memo at Morrisey's request, according to the lawsuit. Morrisey later issued a statement saying he had no intention of rescinding the executive order. He said parents can apply for a religious exemption from vaccinations through the Bureau for Public Health. Last year, Republican then-Gov. Jim Justice vetoed a less sweeping vaccination bill passed by the Republican-supermajority Legislature that would have exempted private school and some nontraditional public school students from vaccination requirements. Morrisey, who served as West Virginia's attorney general from 2013 until he was sworn in as governor, said he believes religious exemptions to vaccinations should already be permitted under a 2023 law passed by the state Legislature called the Equal Protection for Religion Act. The law stipulates that the government can't 'substantially burden' someone's constitutional right to freedom of religion unless it can prove there is a 'compelling interest' to restrict that right. Morrisey has said that law hasn't 'been fully and properly enforced' since it passed. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Dr. Joshua Hess of Cabell County and Marisa Jackson of Kanawha County. It said Hess has a child who is immunocompromised and that Jackson has a child who, because of decreased community use of immunizations, is more susceptible to illness. Along with Mississippi, West Virginia is the U.S. state with the worst health outcomes and lowest life expectancy rates. 'Parents should be able to know their child will be safe when they send them off to school,' said Mountain State Justice executive director Sarah Brown. 'We are seeing the devastating effects of loosening vaccine requirements across the country, and that's why the Legislature wisely declined to loosen the restrictions here in West Virginia. It's vital that their decision not be undermined by the executive branch.'
