A rare medical case involving a woman taking the weight-loss drug semaglutide has drawn attention after doctors used Diet Coke as part of the treatment for a stomach blockage caused by a hardened mass of undigested food. The unusual case, documented in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2025, highlighted a rare complication linked to GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic and Wegovy. A Medanta expert explained that while the treatment may sound unusual, it is based on medical reasoning rather than being a miracle cure.
The patient, a 63-year-old woman from Massachusetts, United States, had been taking semaglutide for nearly a year to manage obesity and type 2 diabetes. Although she lost around 40 pounds (18.1 kg), she later developed worsening symptoms including persistent nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite and severe abdominal discomfort. Medical examinations revealed a gastric bezoar, a hardened mass of partially digested food trapped inside the stomach. The condition occurred because semaglutide slows stomach emptying, which can rarely allow food to accumulate and form a blockage.
Doctors decided to use a carbonated drink approach instead of immediately relying on invasive procedures. Since the patient had diabetes, they selected Diet Coke instead of regular cola to avoid additional sugar intake. The treatment was based on previous medical observations suggesting that cola may help dissolve certain food-based bezoars because of its acidity and carbonation. The patient consumed a reduced amount of the drink, and by the second day, she reportedly experienced relief as the blockage cleared. A follow-up endoscopy confirmed that the gastric mass had disappeared.
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Dr Mohammad Shafi Kuchay, associate director of endocrinology at Medanta Gurugram, explained that the case is medically plausible but should not be misunderstood as a universal remedy. He said GLP-1 receptor agonists are effective medicines for diabetes and obesity because they slow gastric emptying, increase fullness and improve blood sugar control. However, in rare situations, delayed stomach movement can contribute to the formation of gastric bezoars, especially among individuals with existing digestive problems.
The expert explained that cola’s acidic nature and carbonation may help soften and break down phytobezoars, which are formed from plant fibres. However, he stressed that the approach is not a standard treatment for every type of stomach blockage and should only be considered under medical supervision. He advised patients taking GLP-1 medications not to self-treat digestive symptoms based on viral reports and to continue medicines only as prescribed by healthcare professionals.
Doctors have also advised people using GLP-1 drugs to remain aware of warning signs such as persistent nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating or feeling unusually full after eating. While most patients taking these medicines will not experience such complications, individuals with conditions such as delayed stomach emptying, previous stomach surgery or poorly controlled diabetes may face higher risks. Experts recommend regular medical follow-ups, proper hydration, careful eating habits and gradual dietary changes to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
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