CureusMar 14, 2025

Ischemic Colitis Linked to Semaglutide in a Patient Without Usual Risk Factors

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jan 20, 2026

Abstract

A 43-year-old female patient developed symptoms consistent with ischemic colitis after using semaglutide.

The patient initially presented with left lower quadrant pain and bloody diarrhea, treated as infectious colitis.
Imaging revealed mild pancolitis with colon mucosal hyperenhancement and wall thickening despite treatment.
Subsequent colonoscopy confirmed findings consistent with ischemic colitis following intravenous hydration.
Discontinuation of semaglutide led to symptom resolution without its use for several months.
This case may indicate a potential link between semaglutide and ischemic colitis in patients lacking known risk factors.

Simplified

This report describes the case of a 43-year-old female patient presenting with left lower quadrant pain and bloody diarrhea, initially managed as infectious colitis. Despite treatment, symptoms persisted, leading to repeat imaging showing mild pancolitis with colon mucosal hyperenhancement and wall thickening. Admission for intravenous hydration and subsequent colonoscopy revealed findings consistent with ischemic colitis. Semaglutide (Ozempic), which the patient had been taking, was discontinued, and symptoms resolved post discharge without semaglutide use for several months. This suggests a potential association between semaglutide and ischemic colitis in a patient without known risk factors. This case underscores the importance of considering medication-induced colitis in patients presenting with persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly in the absence of typical risk factors.

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Funding

Competing interests

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

PubMed

Ischemic Colitis Linked to Semaglutide in a Patient Without Usual Risk Factors

Abstract

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Funding

Competing interests

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