Nonmechanical Small Bowel Obstruction in a Patient on Zepbound Without a Surgical History: A Case Report

We present the case of a 52-year-old woman who developed a functional small bowel obstruction despite having no history of abdominal surgery, prior bowel obstruction, or GI interventions. The only notable recent change in her medical history was a dose escalation of Zepbound (tirzepatide), a glucagon-like peptide-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide agonist prescribed for weight loss. This case raises concern about potential severe GI motility complications associated with Zepbound, particularly in the absence of conventional SBO risk factors.

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Journal
Cureus
Published
2025-08-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.90657
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Diabetes Treatment and Management
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.59
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article

Nonmechanical Small Bowel Obstruction in a Patient on Zepbound Without a Surgical History: A Case Report

J. R. Stauffer, Amia Mourad, Kelvin Bray, Nicholas Lorenz et al.
2 citations
Cureus
Diabetes Treatment and Management
2.59
article

Nonmechanical Small Bowel Obstruction in a Patient on Zepbound Without a Surgical History: A Case Report

J. R. Stauffer, Amia Mourad, Kelvin Bray, Nicholas Lorenz, Alex Abouafech
article en
2 citations

Abstract

We present the case of a 52-year-old woman who developed a functional small bowel obstruction despite having no history of abdominal surgery, prior bowel obstruction, or GI interventions. The only notable recent change in her medical history was a dose escalation of Zepbound (tirzepatide), a glucagon-like peptide-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide agonist prescribed for weight loss. This case raises concern about potential severe GI motility complications associated with Zepbound, particularly in the absence of conventional SBO risk factors.

CureusVol. 17(8)
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (US), Baptist Medical Center Beaches (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Diabetes Treatment and Management
2.59
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