Mayim Bialik Says GLP-1 Medication Gave Her “Explosive Diarrhea”

Jim Parsons & Mayim Bialik To Reprise ‘Big Bang Theory’ Roles In ‘Young Sheldon’ Finale

Mayim Bialik is opening up about her experience with GLP-1s.

The Big Bang Theory alum detailed the troublesome side effects she endured after being prescribed weight loss injections.

Noting she was advised to take “one shot of the lowest dose of a synthetic GLP-1,” Mayim wrote in an essay for The Free Press titled My GLP-1 Nightmare published June 5 that she experienced “explosive, uncontrollable diarrhea. Sulfur burps so violent, they left me afraid to open my mouth in public. Sneezing attacks every time I tried to eat or drink—which apparently has a name: snatiation.”

“Cramping. Bloating. Full-body aching, as though I had the flu,” she added. “And an inability to keep down even small sips of water without sprinting to the bathroom with yet more explosive diarrhea. More than three times, I didn’t make it.”

As Mayim put it, “To say I had an adverse reaction would be somewhat of an understatement.”

Seeking answers about her experience with the weight loss drug, the 50-year-old visited a gastroenterologist, who reassured her that these “dramatic” symptoms were not unusual.

“These medications, he said, are extremely disruptive to the body and should not be used outside of a specific, regulated set of serious medical reasons—namely, life-compromising obesity and its related health consequences,” she recalled. “I did not meet that bar.”

The doctor also suggested that other medications Mayim was taking may have contributed to her symptoms.

Photo by Laurent Hou / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by LAURENT HOU/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Mayim—mom to Miles, 18, and Frederick, 15, with ex-husband Michael Stone—was prescribed the weight loss drug after “a doctor told me it might help ease symptoms I’ve struggled with for basically my entire adult life.”

The Blossom actress was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, an immune system condition that affects the thyroid gland, according to Mayo Clinic, at 23. At the time, she shared that she was prescribed a medication for the condition but did not make any suggested diet or lifestyle changes, which she believes may have “very slowly made my condition worse.”

Mayim shared she was later diagnosed with connective tissue disease, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), Sjögren’s syndrome and dysautonomia.

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for Lexus

“A few months ago, three separate doctors all suggested I try a GLP-1,” she explained. “Not because of the 20 postmenopausal pounds but because the drugs have shown promise in reducing the systemic inflammation that drives autoimmune conditions.”

Though a GLP-1 didn’t end up being the “magic cure” that she’d hoped, Mayim noted how her negative experience doesn’t take away from those who have found success with the medication.

“GLP-1s have helped people in serious need,” she said. “Of that I am certain. But nobody talks much about what happens when it goes wrong.”

For more stars who have detailed their experience with GLP-1s, read on…

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