The little-talked-about downsides of popular new weight loss drugs

By now you’ve probably heard of Ozempic or Wegovy, which are part of a new class of liraglutide/semaglutide-based weight loss drugs that everyone and their mother seem to be taking. But not much has been written about their downsides – or potential side effects.

For example:

• Cost: These weight loss drugs are expensive (~$1k/month), and since they mimic a hormone we produce to signal to our body that we’re full, stopping the weekly injections means potentially reversing any weight loss. A Reuters investigation found two-thirds of those prescribed popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Ozempic were no longer taking it a year later – and their healthcare costs had gone up 59% on average, largely due to the drug.
• Side effects: The FDA lists a whole slew of potential side effects, from vomiting to constipation to fatigue. Some celebrities, like Amy Schumer, have been outspoken about stopping their use of weight loss drugs because of these types of issues.
• Additional side effects: On Monday, the EU’s drug regulator opened an investigation into whether medications containing liraglutide (ex: Saxena) and semaglutide (ex: Wegovy, Ozempic) cause suicidal thoughts and ideation – which isn’t currently listed as a side effect in the EU but is in the US – after flagging three potentially-linked cases in Iceland. The investigation was expanded yesterday to include more weight loss and diabetes drugs.

📝 Bottom line: While this new class of weight loss drugs have proven to be effective – semaglutide has been shown to help cut excess weight by ~15% – the downsides and potential side effects are turning many off to taking them.

+IMPORTANT: If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please text or call the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.