Stomach discomfort, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, is commonly reported as a side effect of widely used medications for weight loss and diabetes, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide.

But a new studyindicates that further adverse effects might not be completely identified in clinical studies.

Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania employed artificial intelligence to examine over 400,000 Reddit comments from almost 70,000 individuals—and identified signs that they believe might be overlooked.

Although several users pointed out typical problems such as digestive discomfort, some expressed other worries.

Approximately 4% of individuals who mentioned adverse effects experienced reproductive-related symptoms, such as irregular periods and excessive bleeding. Additionally, some individuals reported temperature-related problems, including chills, a sensation of coldness, or hot flashes.

Experts state that the results do not confirm that the medications are responsible for these side effects, but they could indicate trends worthy of further investigation.

A collaborator states, “Individuals taking these medications are exchanging information with one another instantly, sharing insights that seldom appear during a physician’s appointment or formal documentation.”

Scientists state that social media cannot substitute for clinical trials, yet AI analysis might assist in identifying initial indicators related to new medications and health patterns.

Source: Nature Health

Affiliation: School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania

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