1s 101: What the science says about weight loss, side effects, safety

Key Points:

• GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, are drugs that mimic the body's natural hormone GLP-1 to regulate appetite, slow gastric emptying, and promote insulin release, aiding weight loss and diabetes management.
• These medications vary in formulation, dosage, and administration, with injectable forms like semaglutide and tirzepatide and oral options like orforglipron and oral semaglutide, each having specific benefits and challenges.
• GLP-1 drugs have expanded uses beyond diabetes and obesity, including reducing cardiovascular risk, treating fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, and potentially aiding addiction treatment, though research is ongoing for some indications.
• Common side effects are gastrointestinal, such as nausea and constipation, and while weight loss plateaus are typical, long-term use is generally recommended as stopping the drugs often results in weight regain and reversal of metabolic benefits.
• These medications should be combined with lifestyle changes like proper diet and exercise for best results, and while they offer an alternative to bariatric surgery, the choice between drug therapy and surgery depends on individual patient factors and preferences.