Patrick Sisson, Associated Press
This Tuesday, April 3, 2018 photo shows a close-up of the beam scale in New York. A high-dose oral version of the drug in the weight loss drug Wegoby is just as effective as injections in losing weight and improving health, including in people with hard-to-treat diabetes, according to research published on Sunday, June 25, 2023. There is a possibility.
If you haven’t heard about the latest weight loss pills, you might say you’ve been living a tough life these past few months.
The use of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and other similar drugs is exploding and their demand is increasing day by day.
But are they safe? Are they the best choice?
According to Dr. Christopher Jones, the answer is yes and no. This drug is very powerful, so if you just want to lose those last 10 pounds to get into a bikini, you’re probably better off trying other methods. However, the drug has been shown to be effective for some people if they are severely obese, diabetic, or at risk for diabetes or other deadly diseases.
“These drugs are indicated for both diabetes and weight loss,” says Jones, medical director of diabetes care at Intermountain Health. “These are powerful drugs and they work when used properly. If you’re trying to lower your blood sugar levels, they’re effective and can help you lose weight.”
But the drug has side effects, some of them quite severe, Jones said.
“Most of the side effects are related to the gastrointestinal tract,” he said. “They can slow down the intestines, and in some cases they can paralyze or freeze the intestines, which is really concerning.”
Other side effects may include inflammation of the pancreas, intestinal blockage (ileus), increased heart rate, and psychological problems such as anxiety and suicidal thoughts. An increased risk of thyroid cancer has also been noted as a potential side effect.
“We’re also concerned about the finances of these drugs,” Jones said. “Those drugs are very expensive, and health insurance costs are starting to rise, so it’s really important to understand who can benefit most from these drugs.”
Demand is so high that there are shortages, and many people are turning to combination forms of the drug. Jones said that’s never a good idea.
“Combined drugs don’t have a clear history of where they come from, and after they reach the pharmacy and are used by patients, they undergo a lot of manipulation,” he said. “All of these uncontrolled, uncertain things are things that actually put people at a much higher risk of complications, so we recommend that we don’t use them because the risks are there.”
This drug, also known as semaglutide, belongs to a class called GLP-1 agonists. The mechanism of the drug slows down the passage of food through the abdominal system. It also helps lower blood sugar levels in diabetics.
“Diabetes is on the rise across the country, and these drugs are helping people live longer, so that’s a positive thing,” Jones said. “I don’t want to say it’s all bad because these drugs have given so many people life-changing hope. They’ve been a miracle for so many people. What we need is for them to be used for the right reasons. We just need to make sure we have access to the right people. These drugs have also been shown to reduce heart attacks and strokes in people with diabetes.”
Jones says it’s important to talk to your doctor if you’re considering taking any medications, and if you start taking them, your doctor will keep you up to date so that any side effects that occur can be treated quickly. He said that they should be carefully observed.
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