AI flags potential GLP-1 drug side effects from 400k Reddit posts

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania used AI-based computational social listening to analyze more than 400,000 Reddit posts from roughly 70,000 users to identify patient-reported side effects of GLP-1 drugs (semaglutide and tirzepatide). While gastrointestinal issues were common and align with known effects, the study also surfaced signals of menstrual irregularities and body-temperature changes reported by a subset of users. The authors emphasize these are associations, not proven causation, but argue the patterns merit closer, controlled study. The work demonstrates how rapid AI analysis of online patient conversations can help generate early safety signals, though platform demographics and broader data are needed for generalization.