A cautionary post about the possible risks of guests and crew taking GLP-1 dietary medications, by Amanda Hewson Beaver, aka The Yacht Medic (https://www.the-yacht-medic.com/)
The world’s most popular weight-loss drug isn’t just changing waistlines, it’s creating new medical risks onboard yachts.
Ozempic (semaglutide) and similar GLP-1 drugs are now everywhere; in crew cabins, guest wash bags, and yacht fridges. Marketed as miracle shots for effortless slimming, they’ve become part of luxury culture. But the hidden dangers are only now becoming impossible to ignore.
What we’re seeing:
• Gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) & bowel obstruction; leaving patients unable to eat, sometimes requiring emergency surgery
• Vision loss; dozens of cases of optic nerve strokes causing permanent blindness
• Blood clots, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis; all now named in lawsuits
• Bone density loss; rapid weight loss linked to increased bone resorption and weakened hips and spine
• Alcohol risks; delayed gastric emptying and Champagne or cocktails can induce vomiting, aspiration risk, and possible pancreatitis
For yachts this isn’t abstract:
– A guest doubled over with abdominal pain may not just be ‘seasick’, it could be a drug-induced bowel blockage
– A Champagne night on Ozempic is not indulgence, it is a medical risk
– Crew taking these drugs may be quietly losing bone density and resilience, with long-term consequences for health and performance
Behind the glossy marketing are real cases: colon removals, permanent vision loss, over 2,000 lawsuits in the US alone.
Takeaway for the industry:
Yacht medics, captains, and managers need to know if guests or crew are on GLP-1s, because these aren’t cosmetic risks; they’re operational hazards. Medical planning, emergency protocols, and even how you serve alcohol onboard need to adapt to this reality.
Weight loss is never worth blindness, bone fragility, or a blocked intestine at sea. Ozempic isn’t just a health fad; it’s a global medical experiment happening in real time and our industry is already part of it.
Emergency response protocols
Immediate actions for suspected pancreatitis:
- Stop the medication immediately – discontinuation led to symptom resolution in documented cases
- Pain management – but avoid morphine (can worsen pancreatic spasm)
- NPO (nothing by mouth) – patients should fast for the first 48 hours
- IV fluids – aggressive hydration
- Prepare for evacuation – this isn’t something you treat onboard
For severe gastroparesis:
- Stop oral intake
- Consider nasogastric decompression if trained
- IV fluids and antiemetics
- Critical: inform medical personnel that the patient takes GLP-1 drugs if emergency procedures are needed
Documentation requirements:
- Exact medication name and dose
- When last injection was given (dosing errors are common)
- Timeline of symptom onset
- Any history of dosing errors or non-prescription sources
Preparation and medical kit considerations
Essential additions to standard yacht medical kits:
Diagnostic:
- Blood glucose monitoring capability
- Urine dipsticks for ketones
- Blood pressure monitoring
Treatment supplies:
- IV fluids and administration sets
- Antiemetics (ondansetron, metoclopramide)
- Glucose tablets/dextrose solution
- EpiPens (allergic reactions)
Communication tools:
- 24/7 telemedicine
- Lab results interpretation support
Pre-charter guest medical screening
Consider adding questions about:
- Current GLP-1 medication use (include brand names like Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda)
- Recent dosage changes or initiation
- History of pancreatitis or gallbladder disease
- Any previous adverse reactions to these medications
Communication and evacuation planning
When to call for help:
- Any suspected pancreatitis requires immediate shore-based medical evaluation
- Persistent vomiting with signs of dehydration
- Any symptoms of severe hypoglycaemia
- Signs of anaphylaxis
Guests may be using compounded or unregulated versions of these medications, which increases complication risks. Dosing errors are remarkably common with these self-administered injections, and some counterfeit products have been found to contain insulin.
The bottom line: these medications are generally safe, but when they go wrong, they go wrong quickly and seriously. Crew training should include recognition of these specific complications, and your medical protocols need updating to account for the growing prevalence of these medications among high-net-worth guests.
Pro tip: Encourage guests to maintain portable medical records including current medications—knowing exactly what they’re taking and when can be lifesaving information during an emerge
About Amanda Hewson Beaver
Amanda has been a registered nurse and professional sailor for more than 20 years. She comes from a family of active sailors and has sailed extensively herself, covering 60,000 nm at sea. She has nursed in the Australian Outback with flying doctors, in refugee camps and offshore on oil rigs.
About GLP-1s
What are GLP-1 medications?
GLP-1 medications (think Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda) have become the darling of the wealthy wellness set. These drugs help manage blood sugar and promote weight loss by stimulating insulin release, suppressing glucagon, and slowing gastric emptying. Guests are increasingly likely to be taking them; often at higher doses for weight management than diabetes control.
The rub: These medications slow digestion and can cause delayed gastric emptying, which creates unique risks in a yacht environment where medical evacuation isn’t always possible immediately.
Key complications to recognise
1. Acute pancreatitis
This is the complication that calls for urgent evacuation. While rare (less than 1% of patients), pancreatitis can develop within weeks of starting GLP-1 therapy, and there have been fatal cases of severe necrotising pancreatitis.
Warning signs:
- Severe epigastric pain, often radiating to the back or right hypochondrium
- Persistent nausea and vomiting
- Fever and elevated heart rate
- Abdominal tenderness and guarding
Diagnostic approach:
- Blood tests showing elevated pancreatic enzymes (lipase >3x normal, amylase)
- Pain that doesn’t respond to standard analgesics
- Consider CT imaging if available onboard
2. Severe gastroparesis/gastric retention
GLP-1 drugs cause delayed gastric emptying, and there are concerns about increased aspiration risk during procedures requiring sedation. On a yacht, this means trouble with seasickness medications, alcohol tolerance, and emergency intubation if needed.
Signs:
- Persistent nausea and vomiting hours after eating
- Severe bloating and early satiety
- Symptoms predictive of increased residual gastric contents
3. Severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
Gastrointestinal side effects can sometimes lead to severe dehydration requiring hospitalisation. On a yacht where guests might already be dehydrated from sun and alcohol, this compounds quickly.
Watch for:
- Persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain
- Dizziness, confusion, decreased urine output
- Rapid heart rate, low blood pressure
4. Hypoglycaemia in non-diabetic guests
Hypoglycaemia can occur in non-diabetic patients using GLP-1s for weight management. Many yacht guests taking these medications aren’t diabetic.
Signs:
- Shakiness, sweating, confusion
- Irritability or mood changes
- Rapid heartbeat, dizziness
5. Anaphylaxis and severe allergic reactions
Some people form antibodies to GLP-1 agonists, which can cause allergic reactions at injection sites and potentially anaphylaxis.
DISCLAIMER
The content in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical guidance, the advice of your doctor, or other qualified health provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking any new health regimen.