In recent times, GLP-1 drugs resembling Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound have ballooned in reputation. Whereas GLP-1s have, for years, been a prescribed treatment for type 2 diabetes, they now are an FDA-approved weight-loss drug that additionally reduce the risk of certain cancers, coronary heart illness, cognitive decline and extra.
“It really works by making you much less hungry, making your abdomen empty extra slowly and making your fats cells shrink hormonally,” mentioned Dr. Holly Lofton, a health care provider who focuses on weight problems drugs at NYU Langone Well being in New York.
Whereas these drugs have helped thousands and thousands of individuals shed some pounds and cut back their danger of devastating well being situations, like all issues, these drugs additionally include dangers that aren’t as freely talked about as their advantages.
The drugs are “very, very highly effective,” mentioned Dr. Naomi Parrella, the chief of life-style drugs and the medical director for the Weight Loss and Life-style Medication Clinics at Rush College in Illinois. And the potential unwanted effects are associated to the truth that they are so highly effective, she mentioned.
Whereas not everybody who takes GLP-1s could have unwanted effects, some will, they usually can vary from delicate to life-threatening.
Beneath, docs share the most typical unwanted effects of GLP-1 drugs and the way finest to keep away from these signs:
Vomiting, nausea and different gastrointestinal points are widespread.
“Essentially the most generally reported unwanted effects are GI-related: nausea, constipation, unfastened stools, vomiting,” Lofton mentioned.
However these don’t occur to everybody. In medical trials, nausea was probably the most generally reported facet impact and impacted 44% of individuals, she mentioned.
“These meds are mimicking a pure hormone [GLP-1] and amplifying it … so, you possibly can think about it should impression folks otherwise, as a result of simply how delicate you might be to those hormones. So the unwanted effects which are commonest are associated to the impression of the remedy [and] the impression it has on the motion of the meals,” Parrella mentioned.
The remedy slows down the motion of meals by your intestine, Parrella mentioned, which makes the above gastrointestinal signs widespread, along with issues resembling acid reflux disease, heartburn and burping.
Dehydration and an absence of vitamins can occur.
Many individuals who take GLP-1s don’t get starvation and thirst alerts as usually as they might off of the remedy, Lofton mentioned. Whereas it is a widespread prevalence, it could possibly result in issues.
“For some people, they won’t be consuming sufficient or consuming sufficient fluids, so it could possibly trigger dangers associated to dehydration or not having sufficient electrolytes, or presumably not consuming sufficient vitamins, resembling protein or fiber,” Parrella mentioned.
Individuals usually get fuller sooner, which results in much less meals consumption and, in flip, fewer mandatory vitamins, Parrella added.
There are extra critical hostile results, too.
“One of many [adverse] results that folks will speak about … could be pancreatitis, and that’s an irritation within the pancreas. … This remedy is meant to make your pancreas work somewhat bit [harder], in order that it pumps out extra insulin whenever you eat meals that improve blood glucose,” Parrella mentioned.
“So, mainly, the starchy carbs and the sugary meals, in case you eat these, your pancreas has to work tougher with these drugs, and it pumps out much more insulin than regular,” she famous. This overactivity may cause pancreatitis in some folks, Parrella mentioned.
Gallstones and gallbladder irritation are additionally related to the usage of GLP-1s, Lofton mentioned.
“Additionally, if somebody vomits an excessive amount of, they turn into dehydrated, which might trigger kidney failure,” Lofton mentioned.
Intestinal obstruction also can happen, which is when “meals stops shifting by as a result of it will get caught,” Parrella mentioned. Dehydration and an absence of motion of the intestine may cause this meals pileup, Parrella famous.
These are all well being points that require quick medical consideration, however confusingly, the indicators of those issues usually overlap with a few of the much less critical unwanted effects of GLP-1s — vomiting, nausea, indigestion and extra — each docs mentioned.
“There’s additionally this very small however critical danger of what’s referred to as gastroparesis, which is mainly the place your abdomen stops shifting the meals ahead,” Parrella mentioned. This can be a everlasting subject that isn’t mounted when somebody stops taking the remedy, she added.
There is currently litigation round this subject and many medical issues, because it’s laborious to foretell who this will likely occur to, Parrella mentioned.
Illustration: HuffPost; Photograph: Getty Photos
They’ll trigger dental decay and gum illness.
In keeping with Dr. Elizabeth Walton, medical director at Risas Kids Dental, on the subject of dental well being, the most typical unwanted effects of the usage of GLP-1s are a rise in gum illness and dental decay.
GLP-1 drugs cut back saliva manufacturing. “Sufferers taking GLP-1s usually expertise signs of dry mouth, which embrace elevated cavities and periodontal illness,” Walton instructed HuffPost by way of electronic mail.
“Saliva produces a protecting barrier over our enamel and lubricates our [gums],” she added.
“With much less saliva in our mouths, we’re extra uncovered to the acids created by micro organism that result in gum illness and dental cavities,” famous Walton.
You probably have any unwanted effects, it’s best to let your physician know.
“I inform my sufferers if they’ve vomiting even as soon as, they need to name my workplace as a result of vomiting could be a symptom of a few of the different extra harmful hostile results,” Lofton mentioned.
In case your signs persist or worsen, it’s best to actually inform your physician, Parrella added.
Whereas the unwanted effects of those drugs are generally talked about amongst these on GLP-1s, it doesn’t make them regular.
“So many individuals will say, ‘I’m simply going to suck it up. I do know nausea is regular,’ or ‘I do know it’s widespread to have constipation on these meds. That is most likely no huge deal. It’s simply how these meds work,’ or ‘I’m frightened my physician will cease prescribing this drugs for me if I complain’ … and that’s when it turns into an issue,” Parrella mentioned.
When signs proceed or worsen, it’s an indication from the physique that one thing is flawed, she famous. “And after we ignore that, or don’t report, it then turns into very troublesome to forestall the longer, extra critical issues,” Parrella mentioned.
To fight a few of these signs, it’s best to observe just a few guidelines when taking this remedy.
It’s vital that you simply concentrate on consuming numerous fluids and staying hydrated as you are taking GLP-1s, Parrella mentioned.
Extra, it’s best to prioritize your protein consumption so you possibly can preserve and construct muscle as you might be on the remedy, she mentioned. To additional assist muscle development and upkeep, add power coaching to your exercise routine, Parrella added.
“After which the third factor could be, as a result of this slows the motion of meals by the intestine, you wish to ensure you cease consuming three [to four] hours earlier than bedtime,” Parrella mentioned.
Once you lie down after consuming, it’s straightforward for the meals to return again up and trigger points like heartburn and acid reflux disease, she mentioned.
There isn’t long-term analysis on GLP-1s, so a few of the dangers are unknown.
“It’s vital if any person does begin experiencing some new signs of any type on these drugs, we’ve got to recollect we don’t have very long-term information on these meds, so there are nonetheless quite a lot of unknown dangers with these drugs,” Parrella mentioned.
“Do they trigger most cancers? What occurs in case you cease? Does it trigger a metabolic rebound? What about interactions with populations outdoors of those that have been examined?” she added.
Whereas medical professionals are enthusiastic about understanding this new area in drugs, it’s additionally vital that those that use GLP-1s stay cautious and knowledgeable of the dangers, advantages and correct utilization.
“You even have to concentrate to the impact by yourself physique. So, in case you don’t really feel good, or you might be having signs of any type, be in communication together with your physician so that you’ve got a associate within the course of,” Parrella mentioned.
Moreover, it’s best to contemplate the danger versus the profit on the subject of GLP-1s (and all drugs), Lofton mentioned. “This comes into play after we take into consideration individuals who aren’t having a weight situation,” Lofton added.
Should you don’t qualify for GLP-1s, you shouldn’t bounce by hoops to get a prescription.
“It’s vital to essentially keep on with the rules for who the remedy was meant for, as a result of as suppliers, we at all times take into consideration maximizing profit and reducing danger,” Lofton mentioned.
These drugs are protected and extremely efficient for a lot of however aren’t supreme for each single particular person. Extra, everybody ought to deal with GLP-1 drugs because the highly effective medication they’re.
