New Study at Assuta: Weight Loss Injections and Their Effect on Common Bowel Test

A new Israeli study at Assuta hospitals found that GLP-1-based weight loss drugs prolong the transit time of a video capsule in the small intestine by about 75 minutes on average, but do not impair test quality or the ability to detect significant medical findings. The researchers recommend an individual decision rather than a blanket discontinuation of treatment before the test.

A new study conducted at the gastroenterology institutes of Assuta Haifa and Assuta Raanana medical centers examined the effect of popular weight loss drugs from the GLP-1 family (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) on capsule endoscopy of the small intestine. The study included 129 patients, 34 of whom were taking these drugs. The median transit time of the capsule in the small intestine was found to be about 75 minutes longer among those taking the drugs (311 minutes vs. 236). Even after adjusting for variables such as age, body mass index, diabetes, and reason for the test, the average prolongation was about 83 minutes. However, no significant difference was found in test quality, completion rate, or identification of clinically significant findings. Dr. Rawi Hazan, director of the gastroenterology institute at Assuta Haifa and lead researcher, stated that the findings do not support a blanket discontinuation of treatment before the test, but rather an individual medical decision. The study was published in BMJ OPEN GASTRO.