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GLP-1 drugs initially had been used to assist folks with diabetes enhance their insulin resistance and starvation cravings. Nonetheless, over the previous few years, these drugs have develop into fashionable as a result of their weight reduction and weight administration advantages. Dr. Saundra Nguyen, assistant professor of inside drugs at Baylor Faculty of Drugs, explains the unwanted side effects of GLP-1s.
Exterior diet, bodily exercise and surgical procedure, Nguyen says that earlier than GLP-1 drugs, there have been restricted choices for weight reduction administration.
“There are some pill medications that have been around for decades, but the effectiveness of those were more on the modest end,” she mentioned. “When GLP-1 agonists came out, they were much more effective than these options.”
After consulting with a doctor about taking GLP-1 drugs, it is necessary to know that unwanted side effects can fluctuate from individual to individual. Widespread unwanted side effects are gastrointestinal-related, corresponding to:
Nausea
Vomiting
Acid reflux disorder
Constipation
Diarrhea (some circumstances)
Gallbladder illness, like gallbladder stones (much less frequent)
“These medications work in both your brain and your gut to slow down how food moves through your body. Some of the side effects can decrease as your body adjusts or escalate with higher doses,” Nguyen mentioned.
She additionally warns girls of reproductive age on oral contraceptives that GLP-1s will decelerate and alter the absorption of medicines.
“Some people have gotten pregnant while on these medications,” Nguyen mentioned.
Individuals taking GLP-1s really feel much less hungry, get full sooner and don’t take into consideration meals as a lot. Nguyen says that stopping these drugs might finish these advantages.
“These symptoms can come back, and often, we see the weight come back,” Nguyen mentioned.
GLP-1s aren’t really useful for individuals who have pancreatitis, endocrine sort syndromes, like a number of endocrine neoplasia (MEN) sort 2 or a historical past of thyroid most cancers or a particular sort of medullary thyroid most cancers in themselves or their households.
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What are the unwanted side effects of GLP-1 drugs? A researcher explains (2025, February 17)
retrieved 17 February 2025
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