An expert’s guide to weight loss medicine

Weight management is a problem that we can all struggle with, and for some, weight loss is an extremely lengthy and difficult process. In recent years, the discovery of weight loss medicine has made some people believe that there is a solution to their problems. However, are weight loss medicines really effective?

Leading general, gastrointestinal and bariatric surgeon Mr Ahmed R. Ahmed provides a comprehensive guide to weight loss medicine, including the various types available and potential side effects of weight loss drugs.

Are weight loss medicines safe and effective for long-term use?

Yes, our experience to date demonstrates that weight loss medicines are safe. However, the new generation of weight loss drugs medicines, named GLP-1RAs, such as Semaglutide (the generic name, but more commonly known as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) for example, are relatively new and have only been in use for around four or five years old. This means that unfortunately, we do not know the long-term consequences of this type of treatment if taken for years or decades.

What are the different types of weight loss medications available?

Traditionally, weight loss medicines have worked in various different ways. The initial weight loss medicine was Orlistat, otherwise known as Zeneca or Ali. It worked by stopping the action of the enzyme lipase in the intestinal tract, consequently stopping the absorption of fat.

On the other hand, other weight loss drugs work through a reduction in appetite, which is how the new generation of weight loss drugs called GLP-1RAs work. They predominantly work on the brain to reduce appetite but also have other direct effects. For example, they can reduce gastric emptying in the stomach. Additionally, there are also other drugs that are currently being evaluated, which promote satiety (fullness).

What are the potential side effects of weight loss drugs?

With the new generation of GLP 1 receptor agonists, such as Wigovi, Zempig and Manjaro, many patients will suffer from the following consequences/ side effects:

• nausea
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• headaches
• fatigue

Fortunately, for the majority of patients, these symptoms are mild.  As the course of treatment lengthens, adaptions often take place, meaning that the impact of such side effects is reduced. However, for some people, the effects are so strong that they have to completely stop taking the medication.

Weight loss medicines can induce more serious side effects such as pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas. Although this hasn’t been proven to have an effect on humans, another complication that was detected in initial laboratory studies in animal models was a higher incidence of thyroid cancer. As a result of this, we do not currently prescribe weight loss drugs to a patient with a personal or family history of thyroid cancer.

Can I take weight loss medications if I have a history of gastrointestinal issues or surgery?

Yes, you can take these medications if you have had previous gastrointestinal conditions or previous surgery. Although taking these medications should not provoke any problems, I would like to stress that you should speak to your physician or surgeon in order to get a thorough and appropriate evaluation before taking such medications.

How effective are these new weight loss drugs?

The GLP 1 receptor agonists, such as Semaglutide (otherwise known as Ozempec or Wigovi), as well as the new generation Manjaro, are much more beneficial than what we have traditionally seen in the field of weight loss medicines. These drugs typically offer around 10% weight loss and even up to 12% weight loss in clinical trials.

These statistics highlight that these weight loss medications are performing a lot better than previous drugs, such as Olistad, where weight loss was only 3%. Now, weight loss has increased to 5%, which is brilliant news for patients.

Although I believe that many people would benefit from weight loss medications, it is crucial to keep in mind that 30% of people who try these drugs do not benefit from them, and unfortunately, do not see any weight loss.

Furthermore, it must be noted that many people will suffer from side effects and remember that no one knows what the long-term consequences are of taking these drugs because, as previously mentioned, nobody has ever taken this treatment for more than three to five years.

Ultimately, once you begin treatment with weight loss medicines, as soon as you stop the treatment, you will regain the weight. This signifies that if you are thinking of beginning treatment, you must consider it as a long-term treatment.

If you are considering taking weight loss medicine and would like to book a consultation with Mr Ahmed, simply visit his Top Doctors profile today.