A heartbroken father has issued a desperate plea to Australians to be aware of the dangerous side effects of “weight loss drugs” like Ozempic, after his wife tragically passed away just months into her treatment.
Roy Webster shared that his wife Trish had simply wanted to lose a few kilograms for their daughter’s upcoming wedding, but sadly died five months after starting the drug. Although Ozempic was originally designed for diabetes treatment, it is now being prescribed worldwide for weight loss.
Trish, who was 56 years old, lost a total of 16 kilos by taking Ozempic, alongside another weight loss drug called Saxenda. However, in January of this year, “something went seriously wrong.”
Aussie mum Trish Webster dies five months after taking Ozempic
According to Webster, while his wife did experience significant weight loss, she also frequently fell ill.
“I couldn’t save her, that’s the hardest part,” Webster said in his emotional interview with 60 Minutes. “If I had known this could happen, she wouldn’t have taken it.”
Webster recounted the terrifying moment when Trish stopped breathing and passed away in his arms.
“I saw a little bit of brown stuff coming out of her mouth and realized she wasn’t breathing. I immediately started doing CPR,” he said. “It was pouring out, so I turned her onto her side because she couldn’t breathe.”
Trish’s death certificate attributes her passing to an acute gastrointestinal illness. Although the certificate doesn’t directly link the weight loss medications to her demise, Webster strongly believes they contributed to her death. He is now urging others to think twice before taking similar drugs.
“I never thought you could die from it,” he lamented.
‘Growing evidence’ suggests Ozempic may cause ‘complications’
Endocrinologist Dr. Kathryn William stated that there is “growing evidence that the active ingredient in drugs like Ozempic can cause digestive complications.”
“When we prescribe them, we warn people,” she told 60 Minutes. “If I inform someone that they may experience occasional vomiting, I also emphasize that if they have recurrent vomiting, they need to inform me and stop the medication.”
Due to the immense popularity of Ozempic, there is currently a global shortage of the drug, making it challenging for diabetics worldwide to access it.