Side effects of diabetes medications for weight loss

Side effects of diabetes medications for weight loss

The downside to GLP-1 drugs is that all but one must be taken. Like any medicine, there is a risk of side effects, some of which are serious. The most common side effects often improve with continued medication for a while.

Some of the more common side effects include:

nausea
vomiting
Diarrhea
Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) is a more serious risk associated with the GLP-1 class of drugs, but the risk of low blood sugar levels often only increases if you are also taking another drug known to lower blood sugar at the same time. such as a sulfonylurea or insulin.

The GLP-1 class of drugs isn't recommended if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia, as lab studies have linked these drugs to thyroid tumors in mice, but unless more long-term studies are done The risk to humans is not known, and they are not recommended if you have pancreatitis.

The medications already discussed are indicated in people with type 2 diabetes. There is also a higher-dose medication liraglutide (Saxenda) that is approved to treat obesity in people without diabetes.

If you have diabetes and are wondering if one of these medications might work for you, talk to your diabetes doctor or healthcare provider first, and follow up with them before trying anything.