GLP-1s could help you lose weight. These medications encourage weight loss in several ways. If you’ve thought about them, learn some key statistics about them before you start taking these medications. What you’ll find is pretty interesting.
These are newer drugs. Most have limited studies. Changes in studies could take place in the years to come. You need to know the difference in these products. Have questions? Ask your doctor before moving forward.
The GLP-1 industry is growing. A variety of industry leaders have differening opinions on what to expect.
Fierce Pharma studies show:
The American Hospital Association predicts these factors for the industry:
The Smart Cube shares:
A JAMA Network study found about 12%. That’s just US adults. That is 1 in 8 adults. The poll contained 1500 respondents. About 6% said they are still using it.
Studies show all GLP-1s could help with weight loss. That is about 10.5 to 15.8 pounds using liraglutide. Semaglutide can lead to an average of 33.7 pounds. That’s from Mayo Clinic data.
A Science Direct study shared different figures.
This study takes into account the placebo effect. These people commonly had side effects. That includes constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Some rare conditions included gallbladder disorders. A few suffered pancreatitis.
They could. Studies conducted through the St. Bernards Medical Center share insight. The most common side effects are:
It does not seem possible to overdose on these medications. Some people suffer from pancreatitis. Others suffered hypoglycemia.
Poison Centers report different figures. They received a 1500% increase in calls since 2019. These are related to side effects from these medications. Some people took as much as 10 times the right dose. That leads to negative health outcomes.
A JAMA Network study offers more insight into these risks. The study included:
In this study, biliary disease occurred in the following patients:
In this study, pancreatitis occurred in the following:
The study means people using these drugs are at a higher risk. They are more likely to suffer from pancreatitis. Some reports of gastroparesis occurred. There were also reports of bowel obstruction. These are serious side effects. These conditions require emergency medical care.
Stomach paralysis is a problem, too. Studies show that people using these drugs are more likely to have gastroparesis. That’s a condition in which the stomach stops functioning. This is a rare event. Consider the results.
A study of 300,000 people by the University of Kansas.
Another study by University Hospitals in Cleveland shows different results. It included 336,655 people.
The FDA shared that counterfeit Semaglutide has been found. That’s fake Ozempic. These products are not sold through pharmacies. They are sold on the black market. There is also another risk. The needles supplied in fake Ozempic could be used. That can increase the risk of infection.
A Mayo Clinic study looked at 80,000 people. About 839 of them had gastric emptying scintigraphy. This is a test to determine how long it takes for your stomach to empty. The study found:
This matters. Slowing food emptying makes you feel fuller. You don’t want to eat. You eat less for the day. Too much of that can lead to paralysis of the stomach. That means the stomach stops working. That is problematic. Your body still needs nutrients. If your stomach stops working, it is harder to get those nutrients. That causes health complications.
Let’s consider trends. These have changed over the years. Here’s some background. GLP-1s have been available for some time. They were only used for diabetes. They were not approved for weight loss. A study published by the National Library of Medicine shows the types of use. Let’s break that down.
Ozempic was used far more than most others. The study also provided monthly growth rates. This shows how fast these medications grew in demand:
The rapid increase of these drugs is remarkable. Many people made the switch to using them. These drugs are still very new. That means that much of their long-term use is not understood. It is critical to think about that. Additional studies are necessary.
Some people have to stop it.
Studies also look at how many people have to stop taking these medications. There are plenty of reasons for that. About 81.1% of people had to discontinue use in the first 12 months. That applies if they stopped. Black and Hispanic people stopped using it the most often. People using Medicare or Medicaid were also more likely to stop using it.
There’s a lot of work to be done in this area. Long-term results are not yet available. The Cleveland Clinic provides some interesting data on this.
Maintaining weight loss is tricky. So many people must stop the use of the medication. When they stop, weight gain is a real risk.
GLP-1s are a class of type 2 diabetes medications. They improve blood sugar control. Researchers have found that they also create weight loss. That makes them very interesting.
Glucagon-like peptide 1 mimics the natural hormone created in your body. This hormone helps your cells to burn sugar. That’s its fuel. Doing this more effectively leads to glucose. That leads to weight loss.
These medications are in an injection. Each week, you must give yourself an injection. The medication can help reduce hunger. It also slows down food that is leaving your stomach. You feel full. You do not crave food often. You may not eat as much. This forces the body to seek out other stores of fat. Bottom line. GLP-1s help people lose weight.
The medications control food noise. What’s that? Food noise is the constant thought of food. Wanting to eat often. This could help some people stop emotional eating. That could help them lose weight as well.
These are some of the most well-known GLP-1s. Not everyone can use each type. Your doctor may choose one based on your health goals and needs.
Semaglutide: Ozempic. Wegovy. Rybelus. A diabetes medication that is also approved for weight loss. Helps control blood sugar when the body isn’t using insulin properly.
Tirzepatide: Mounjaro. Aids in weight loss in people who have type 2 diabetes. Zepbound is the same. It’s FDA-approved for weight loss.
Liraglutide: Victoza. Saxenda. Aids the pancreas in releasing insulin when blood sugars are high.
Dulaglutide: Trulicity. Controls blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It also can reduce the risk of heart attack in those at risk.
Lixisenatide: Adlyxin. This medication controls blood sugar. It may be used with insulin.
Exenatide: Byetta and Bydureon. Causes insulin from pancreatic beta cells. Reduces food intake. Lowers gastric emptying rate.
How these medications differ:
GLP-1s work. That’s straightforward. There are risk factors. Some people may become ill. Others may not see success. Many regain the weight if they stop taking the medication.
Consider all of these factors carefully. Many people will find weight loss possible with these drugs. But it comes with some risk of side effects. Determining the best route is not always easy for patients either.
