Weight reduction medication have develop into an more and more well-liked, however controversial, manner of rapidly shedding further kilos over the previous few years.
A part of that controversy offers with the unintended effects attributable to a number of the extra well-known drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro. In keeping with the Weight problems Medication Affiliation (OMA), researchers are regularly analyzing the professionals and cons of those medication.
Listed below are some unintended effects of the eight FDA-approved weight reduction medication:
Ozempic and Wegovy
Ozempic and Wegovy are the model names of a drug referred to as semaglutide, a medicine that, in keeping with Harvard Well being, has been prescribed for about 20 years to deal with Kind 2 diabetes. Ozempic has develop into controversial over the previous few years as chubby and overweight sufferers have sought it out for weight reduction, making a scarcity of the drug for these utilizing it to manage their diabetes.
Wegovy is the model title for a type of semaglutide that has since been accredited for weight reduction.
Semaglutide, which mimics a pure hormone referred to as GLP-1, helps regulate blood sugar whereas slowing down the emptying of the abdomen and signaling satiety or fullness to the mind.
The OMA studies that the commonest criticism amongst sufferers utilizing semaglutide is gastrointestinal points like nausea. Different unintended effects embody fatigue, dizziness, headache, bloating, belching and heartburn.
An American Medical Affiliation examine has additionally discovered that GLP-1 agonists are related to an elevated danger of pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, and gastroparesis.
Whereas headlines have warned about a rise in suicidal ideation with semaglutide, a January 2024 examine in Nature Medication urged “a 49% to 73% lower risk of first-time or recurring suicidal ideations” in contrast with different weight problems drugs.
Mounjaro and Zepbound
Mounjaro and Zepbound are medication referred to as tirzepatide. Mounjaro was accredited in 2017 to deal with Kind 2 diabetes, whereas Zepbound was accredited in newer years to deal with weight problems.
Like semaglutide, tirzepatide is a GLP-1 agonist that will increase an individual’s feeling of fullness and helps them preserve a weight reduction weight loss program.
It causes frequent delicate signs like nausea, constipation, diarrhea and bloating, however the OMA studies extra critical unintended effects like kidney issues as much as and together with kidney failure, gallbladder signs, pancreatitis and hypoglycemia.
Producer Eli Lilly warns, nonetheless, that Tirzepatide might trigger thyroid tumors or thyroid most cancers. Sufferers ought to monitor themselves for signs like neck swelling, hoarseness, issues swallowing and shortness of breath.
Contrave
Contrave is the model title for a medicine that mixes two medication, bupropion and naltrexone. Bupropion, which is marketed beneath the model title Wellbutrin, is an antidepressant that can be recognized to scale back an individual’s urge for food.
Naltrexone, generally bought beneath the model names Revia and Vivitrol, is a medicine used to deal with drug and alcohol dependancy. In keeping with Medicine.com, naltrexone works by blocking the euphoric, intoxicated feeling of alcohol and opioids. It additionally helps scale back the cravings for the substances.
The OMA studies that sufferers shouldn’t be prescribed Contrave in the event that they undergo from a seizure dysfunction or in the event that they take opioids for power ache.
The most typical unintended effects of the drug are nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, dry mouth and insomnia.
Saxenda
Saxenda is a medicine containing liraglutide, a drug that mimics an individual’s pure hormones affecting starvation, digestion and emotions of fullness. It was accredited by the FDA in 2017 to deal with weight problems in folks 12 and older.
The most typical unintended effects of liraglutide are nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, dyspepsia, dizziness and stomach ache.
It might additionally trigger elevated coronary heart fee, elevated lipase, which is a pancreatic enzyme, and decreased kidney operate.
Qsymia
Qsymia is a medicine that mixes the medication phentermine and topiramate. In keeping with the OMA, phentermine has been round since 1959, making it the oldest and most generally used weight reduction remedy.
The drug, which works within the mind as an urge for food suppressant, is a stimulant just like amphetamines and may be abused. It shouldn’t be utilized by sufferers who’ve suffered a stroke or who’ve coronary heart illness, glaucoma or hyperthyroidism.
The unintended effects of phentermine may be critical, together with quick or irregular coronary heart fee, headache, overstimulation, hypertension and tremors. It might additionally work together with a number of different medication, together with MAO inhibitors, alcohol, adrenergic neuron blockers and a few anesthetic brokers.
When phentermine is mixed with topiramate, an anticonvulsant, its impact on starvation is magnified.
The unintended effects of the 2 medication mixed embody dizziness, irregular sensations, altered style, insomnia, constipation and dry mouth. Topiramate additionally carries a danger of start defects, so it shouldn’t be taken throughout being pregnant.
Qsymia was accredited in 2021 for power weight administration in adults. It was accredited the next yr for pediatric sufferers ages 12 and older who’ve a physique mass index within the ninety fifth percentile or larger.
Imcivree
Imcivree, which is the model title for setmelanotide, is accredited by the FDA to deal with sufferers affected by extreme weight problems attributable to uncommon genetic issues. In keeping with the Nationwide Institute of Well being, setmelanotide is used to deal with POMC, PCSK1 and LEPR deficiencies, which all result in early-onset weight problems.
In keeping with producer Rhythm Prescription drugs, it’s also used to deal with Bardet-Biedl syndrome in sufferers aged 2 and older.
Setmelanotide works by focusing on the impaired MC4R pathway within the mind, which permits it to ship messages to the mind that the physique is glad and doesn’t want extra meals. The Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH) studies that it helps restore urge for food management, reduces the affected person’s meals consumption and helps to manage weight acquire.
It doesn’t deal with the underlying genetic defects that result in weight problems.
The most typical unintended effects of Imcivree are reactions on the injection web site, hyperpigmentation, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, abdomen ache and melancholy. Extra critical unintended effects embody sexual dysfunction, melancholy, suicidal ideas or actions and toxicity attributable to benzyl alcohol, which is a preservative in Imcivree.
Like most drugs, it might additionally trigger critical allergic reactions that embody swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, respiratory or swallowing points, extreme rash, itching, dizziness and fast heartbeat. Anybody who experiences an allergic response ought to search speedy medical consideration.
NewsNation’s Taylor Delandro contributed to this report.
