Anytime a person turns the TV on, they may see an ad for Ozempic or Mounjaro. These drugs have made headlines lately because they help men and women lose weight and improve their health. These medications mimic GLP-1, a hormone that binds to glucagon-like peptide one receptors in the body. Once they bind to these receptors, insulin and glucose levels in the blood are regulated. The person feels full, so they eat less and lose weight.
Many people are trying Austin’s online weight loss meds with great success. It wasn’t until 2005 that the U.S. FDA approved these medications for type 2 diabetes. Another nine years passed before the agency approved them for weight management. However, it wasn’t until recently that these drugs increased in demand. Today, a person might find it challenging to locate the medications even with a prescription. Before a person rushes to their doctor to request one of these medications, they must have the full story.
Weight Loss
Research shows these medications help obese individuals lose weight. Nature Medicine published a Phase 3 clinical trial that found that men and women who took one of these medications lost over 20 percent of their weight when they combined the medication with lifestyle interventions. Researchers then wanted to know whether this weight loss would lead to meaningful health outcomes.
Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy published a follow-up study to see how taking this medication led to other changes in a person’s health. They know the medications would help these individuals lose weight, but would they lead to other positive changes? They found that taking this medication improved blood pressure, lipid levels, and blood glucose levels. The risk of a major adverse cardiovascular event in a person with cardiovascular disease decreased by up to 20 percent. However, would the person be able to keep the weight off long-term and continue to see these benefits?
Long-Term Results
Sadly, researchers found that participants don’t keep the weight off once they stop taking the medication. Participants regained 14 percent of their body weight. Researchers also believe genetics play a role in how effective the drugs are and how long they take them. Tailored treatments may be needed to obtain the best results.
Side Effects
Another thing a person must consider before taking one of these drugs is the potential side effects. Some patients report gastrointestinal issues, including nausea and constipation. Gastroparesis is a concern, and every person taking this medication must alert their doctor if they have any signs of pancreatitis or a bowel obstruction. While these complications are rare, every person must be aware that there is a risk of serious issues.
Fortunately, patients don’t need to worry about some side effects. Thyroid tumors and cancer aren’t known side effects. Researchers studied patients for several years to learn they aren’t at more risk of these conditions. The same holds true for suicide ideation, self-harm, depression, and anxiety. Taking these medications doesn’t increase a person’s risk of these problems.
Countless individuals have benefited from the use of weight loss medications. These drugs may also help with many other conditions, including drug and alcohol addiction. People taking the medications reported a decreased desire to drink alcohol, so researchers want to know if it will help treat addiction disorders. They may also help reduce the risk of dementia and Parkinson’s disease. As more people take these medications to lose weight, researchers may find they help with additional conditions. Who knew weight loss medications could do so much?
