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Home / Wellness / Future Ozempic Alternative Could "Minimize Side Effects,"
Researchers Say
Wellness
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Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy
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FUTURE OZEMPIC ALTERNATIVE COULD "MINIMIZE SIDE EFFECTS," RESEARCHERS SAY

It's a capsule rather than an injection, and it still produces impressive
weight-loss results.

By Abby Reinhard
December 28, 2023

By Abby Reinhard
December 28, 2023
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

mapo / iStock

Ozempic, which is manufactured by Novo Nordisk and indicated for the treatment
of type 2 diabetes—along with its sister drug, Wegovy, indicated for weight
loss—has helped patients drop dramatic amounts of weight. But despite their
impressive results, these medications aren't risk-free, as they're sometimes
known to cause painful side effects. The most commonly experienced symptoms
associated with semaglutide (the active ingredient in both Ozempic and Wegovy)
injection are gastrointestinal, with some patients experiencing severe enough
symptoms to discontinue treatment. However, an Ozempic alternative is in
development, and researchers say it could "minimize side effects" associated
with other weight-loss treatments.



RELATED: Ozempic Patient Reveals "Repulsive" New Side Effect.



Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed an
ingestible capsule that plays on a "phenomenon" your body uses to tell you
you're full after eating a large meal, per an MIT press release.

Your stomach naturally sends signals to your brain to let it know you can stop
eating, but the new pill—formally known as the Vibrating Ingestible
BioElectronic Stimulator (VIBES)—recreates this feeling by vibrating in your
stomach and activating the same stretch receptors that sense when your belly is
distended. In doing so, you get an "illusory sense of fullness," the release
states.

"For somebody who wants to lose weight or control their appetite, it could be
taken before each meal," Shriya Srinivasan, PhD, former MIT graduate student and
postdoc, and current assistant professor of bioengineering at Harvard
University, said in the press release.

Per the release, when given to pigs 20 minutes before eating, the pill promoted
the release of hormones that signal fullness—and also reduced the animals' food
intake by 40 percent. According to the official study published in Science
Advances on Dec. 22, animals also had a minimized weight gain rate when compared
with animals that didn't take the VIBES pill.



The pill has to be "activated" in the stomach to start vibrating, which it does
for about 3o minutes after it reaches the stomach. In the new study, the pill
passed through animals' digestive tracts within four to five days—and during
that time, researchers noted that animals showed no signs of "obstruction,
perforation, or other negative impacts." Researchers also noted that, when
observed in over 20 trials in a large animal model, VIBES didn't produce any
"observable distress or negative side effects."

"[VIBES] could be really interesting in that it would provide an option that
could minimize the side effects that we see with the other pharmacological
treatments out there," Srinivasan said in the release.

RELATED: Ozempic Patients Say It "Stops Working" for Weight Loss—How to Prevent
That.

Researchers believe VIBES could offer a viable option for those who've struggled
with side effects related to semaglutide injection or tirzepatide (known by Eli
Lilly's brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound). Some have reported painful stomach
conditions like gastroparesis, as well as gallbladder-related issues, which have
also landed patients in the emergency room.

However, in addition to reducing side effects, the novel capsule could increase
access to weight-loss drugs by providing a more affordable option, researchers
said. GLP-1 agonists, like semaglutide, can be particularly expensive, they
added.

"For a lot of populations, some of the more effective therapies for obesity are
very costly. At scale, our device could be manufactured at a pretty
cost-effective price point," Srinivasan said in the release. "I'd love to see
how this would transform care and therapy for people in global health settings
who may not have access to some of the more sophisticated or expensive options
that are available today."



In the press release, researchers said they have plans to investigate how to
adapt the pill to stay in the stomach for longer than the current 30-minute
period, and then be wirelessly turned off and on. They are planning new ways to
"scale up" manufacturing, which could enable clinical trials in
humans.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

"Such studies would be important to learn more about the devices' safety, as
well as determine the best time to swallow the capsule before … a meal and how
often it would need to be administered," the release reads.

RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter.

Best Life offers the most up-to-date information from top experts, new research,
and health agencies, but our content is not meant to be a substitute for
professional guidance. When it comes to the medication you're taking or any
other health questions you have, always consult your healthcare provider
directly.

Abby Reinhard
Abby Reinhard is a Senior Editor at Best Life, covering daily news and keeping
readers up to date on the latest style advice, travel destinations, and
Hollywood happenings. Read more
Filed Under
Medicine • News • Science • Symptoms • Weight Loss
Sources referenced in this article
 1. Source: A vibrating ingestible bioelectronic stimulator modulates gastric
    stretch receptors for illusory satiety
 2. Source: Mayo Clinic: Tirzepatide


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SIDE EFFECTS LAND OZEMPIC PATIENTS IN THE ER

"An increasing number of people" are requiring hospital care due to adverse
effects.
December 22, 2023



OLDER WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS ARE ON THE RISE

The most popular treatments aren't the only options for weight loss.
December 20, 2023



MOUNJARO IS BECOMING EVEN MORE POPULAR

The active ingredient in Mounjaro, tirzepatide, could become a major bestseller,
experts say.
December 18, 2023



OZEMPIC PATIENTS SAY IT "STOPS WORKING"

Doctors discuss why the "Ozempic plateau" happens for some users.
December 14, 2023



WHAT REALLY HAPPENS IF YOU STOP TAKING OZEMPIC

Quitting Ozempic? Here's what to expect.
December 10, 2023



OZEMPIC PATIENT REVEALS NEW SIDE EFFECT

"The price he pays for using Ozempic is just too high," his wife says.
December 8, 2023



NEW WEIGHT LOSS DRUG HITS U.S. PHARMACIES

It's also hoped that Zepbound will help bring down the cost of the popular
medications.
December 6, 2023



REAL HOUSEWIFE HAD SCARY OZEMPIC SIDE EFFECT

The <em>RHONJ</em> star warns fans to be aware of weight-loss drug
complications.
December 5, 2023



WEIGHT LOSS DRUG TO COST 20% LESS THAN OZEMPIC

Despite the slightly cheaper price tag, Zepbound will still cost more than
$1,000 per month.
November 30, 2023



SHARON OSBOURNE ISSUES WARNING ABOUT OZEMPIC

The star is “too gaunt” and “can’t put any weight on.”
November 29, 2023


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