Are GLP-1 Medications Safe?

In the United States, nearly three in four adults (73.6%) are either overweight (BMI of 25 to 29.9) or obese (BMI of 30 or higher). Excess weight isn’t just about body size; it’s also a major risk factor for serious health problems like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), and heart disease.

At Nova Physician Wellness Center, our medical weight loss experts know that lifestyle changes are indispensable to long-term weight control. We also know that for many people with obesity, prescription weight loss drugs, specifically GLP-1 medications, can be a game-changer that helps them move forward more quickly on the path to improved health.  

Here, our team discusses the ins and outs of the newest anti-obesity medication (AOM) — the GLP-1 agonist semaglutide — including how it works and who can safely benefit (hint: most people who struggle with their weight can).

How GLP-1 medications work

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 RAs, are a class of medications that mimic the GLP-1 hormone, which is released in the gut in response to eating.

Effective blood sugar management

The GLP-1 agonist semaglutide was first approved as an effective treatment for Type 2 diabetes. At low doses, it prompts the release of insulin to control blood sugar levels after eating, and slows digestion to help prevent blood sugar spikes.

Appetite control and increased satiety

When taken at higher doses via weekly self-injection, GLP-1 medications are very effective at promoting weight loss. By interacting with the areas of your brain that control appetite and satiety (the degree to which you feel full after eating), GLP-1 agonists:

• Work to suppress your normal appetite
• Slow the gastric emptying process after you eat
• Help you reach satiation more quickly (with less food)
• Help sustain satiation for longer after mealtime

People who take semaglutide often report that it seems to help cut out “food noise,” or constant thoughts about food that can make it harder to stick with a healthier eating plan.

Approved use for weight loss

GLP-1 medications — in combination with dietary changes and regular exercise — have already helped many people safely lose a significant amount of weight and improve, reverse, or prevent serious weight-related health conditions.

Semaglutide is FDA-approved as a chronic weight management tool for almost anyone who’s struggled to lose weight and fits one of the following profiles:

• BMI of 30 or higher (obesity)
• BMI of 25-29.9 (overweight), along with a weight-related comorbidity

Weight-related comorbidities are chronic health conditions (i.e., Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease) that commonly co-occur with excess body weight, and often improve significantly with even a moderate 5-10% weight loss.

Who shouldn’t take GLP-1 drugs?

Even if you fit an approved BMI profile for GLP-1 agonist use as part of a comprehensive weight loss plan, certain conditions or healthy history risk factors can make the medication unsafe. 

Our team can’t safely prescribe GLP-1 medications for anyone who’s pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding, as well as anyone who has:

• A history of pancreatitis (acute or chronic)
• Severe gastroparesis (slow stomach digestion)
• A history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
• A history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
• Had an allergic reaction to a GLP-1 agonist

Semaglutide carries an increased risk of serious health problems and side effects for people with these conditions. In the case of pregnancy, it may cause birth defects.   

Taking GLP-1 agonists in the presence of these contraindicated conditions can result in intense gastrointestinal issues (i.e., severe vomiting), acute kidney injury, and, in rare cases, dangerous conditions like stomach paralysis, pancreatitis, or thyroid cancer.

Side effects of GLP-1 medications

For people who can safely take semaglutide, the medication is generally well-tolerated. It can cause some mild digestive side effects, however, including:

• Constipation; diarrhea
• Abdominal pain; fatigue
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Heartburn and burping

Other potential side effects include mild dizziness and periodic headaches. To minimize digestive discomfort and avoid potential side effects, many weight loss patients nudge up to the recommended weekly dose, slowly adjusting to the effects of the GLP-1 medication.  

Can you benefit from semaglutide?

Ready to find out how GLP-1 medications can support your weight loss goals? Call or use online booking to schedule a visit at Nova Physician Wellness Center today. We have five Virginia locations in Fairfax, Lansdowne, Vienna, Arlington, and Charlottesville, and a new office in Rockville, Maryland.