Body + Mind is reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through some of the links on our site.
Spend any amount of time on the wellness side of social media and you’ll likely see posts about weight loss drugs. Numerous kinds are available because so many people have shown interest in them. If you’ve thought about trying them, uncover evidence-based research about the trend to understand if they’re the best ways to support your health.
Weight loss medications aren’t a new phenomenon. Doctors introduced thyroid hormone treatments in 1893 to help people shed unwanted pounds. Research continued to evolve as technology got better with time.
Scientists with companies like Novo Nordisk pushed the medical community’s understanding of weight loss drugs further by creating options like Ozempic. Their formula specifically addressed each patient’s satiety and blood sugar levels. The product became known outside of diabetic communities when doctors prescribed it to celebrities to lose weight, causing noticeable results that rocked social media.
Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. After a patient injects it into their bloodstream, it lowers their hemoglobin A1c, slows gastric emptying and speeds up how satiated they feel after eating. If a person doesn’t feel as hungry, they may not put on as much weight. Spikes in insulin production also create fat storage deposits that work against weight loss goals.
Instead of trying to juggle your carb intake or stay within ketosis, GLP-1 medications ease your body into more stability. Fewer blood sugar spikes and cravings make it easier to manage other healthy lifestyle changes that could result in more significant weight loss.
The intensified demand for diabetes drugs for weight loss led to a shortage for people with diabetes. Shortages can still happen, but now there are numerous weight loss prescriptions besides Ozempic. If you try it and it doesn’t help you get the results you want, talk with your doctor about other options like:
Your doctor can identify why your initial weight loss prescription didn’t work by reflecting on your health history. You could also stick with your medication routine more easily by changing the management method, like swapping anxiety-inducing injections with pills.
Even though doctors prescribe GLP-1 medications, there are still risks involved. Some medicines are available without a prescription. Options like tirzepatide and semaglutide don’t have usage approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They may be easy to buy, but they haven’t undergone the testing necessary for the FDA to advocate for their effectiveness or safety.
GLP-1 medications also have side effects. They can cause issues like diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. More severe reactions include an increased heart rate and headaches. Some people had rare side effects like cancer or kidney injuries. Talk to your doctor about any underlying health issues that could make those side effects more likely in your case.
There’s also the issue of GLP-1 drugs interacting with other medications. If you take one or more prescriptions, they might make GLP-1 prescriptions less safe. Combined oral contraceptives could increase your risk of thromboembolisms or become less effective when combined with a GLP-1 drug. Your doctor can look into any concerns regarding your ongoing prescriptions before potentially recommending a weight loss medication.
GLP-1 drugs are powerful tools to jump-start weight loss results, but they may not have the outcome you want without supportive lifestyle changes. Consider making other lifestyle upgrades to complement your new medication.
Injecting Ozempic before eating sugary cereal alongside a coffee packed with added sugars won’t help your blood sugar levels. Your dietary choices could still spike them, so refine your diet to match your new weight-loss efforts. You could savor oatmeal in the mornings to manage your blood sugar with fiber and only have the sugary cereal occasionally. A nutritionist can help you create a blood-sugar-friendly diet if you’re unsure where to start.
GLP-1 prescriptions prevent your body from creating new fat storage deposits. They don’t help you burn through the existing stored fat. Exercise is still crucial for losing weight. Add more movement into your routine by walking every other day or lifting weights while watching TV after work. Your workouts don’t have to be overwhelming — they only need consistency.
Remember to talk with your doctor in the weeks after starting a GLP-1 prescription. You should discuss any lifestyle changes you’ve made, unexpected events that influence your routine and side effects you might be experiencing. They may tailor your dosage or switch you to another medication based on your feedback.
Weight loss medication is changing lives. Managing your insulin with a prescription could finally help you achieve your health goals. Working alongside a doctor and maintaining better habits are often what people need to finally stop the cycle of diet trends.
When you’re asking your doctor questions about weight loss drugs, bring up anything on your mind. There’s no bad question. Talk about your goals, concerns about side effects and the timeline you’d prefer to reach your results. You’ll both feel more confident about starting a GLP-1 prescription if you and your doctor have more information than before.
Experts with Stanford Medicine estimate that people lose 2%-3% of their body weight when taking diabetes medication for a diabetes diagnosis. People taking it strictly for obesity lose between 5%-10% of their weight compared to individuals on placebos. Your results will vary depending on your body’s reaction to the prescription, your health history and your lifestyle changes.
You don’t have to take GLP-1 forever. Your doctor will likely recommend stopping the medication after reaching your weight loss goals if you don’t have diabetes. Afterward, you’ll have healthier habits built during your time on the medication that could help you maintain your weight long-term.
Your email address will only be used to send you our newsletter, and at any time you may unsubscribe. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.
