Medical Review by Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM
Summary
- GLP-1 receptor agonists are primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes and manage obesity by lowering blood sugar levels and controlling weight.
- These medications are first-line treatments for type 2 diabetes who also struggle with obesity. For non-diabetics with obesity, first line treatment is lifestyle changes. However GLP-1 receptor agonists are a helpful supplement when lifestyle changes alone are not sufficient.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists work by stimulating neuroendocrine hormones —which helps regulate blood sugar levels and promotes weight loss.
- The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, with more severe risks like hypoglycemia, dehydration, pancreatitis, and a very rare type of inherited thyroid cancer in certain individuals. Only use these medications if they have been prescribed to you by a medical professional and always follow their instructions.
GLP-1 receptor agonists can lower blood sugar and control weight
GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (which is used in medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy®) have been getting a lot of attention lately. But there’s a lot to understand about these drugs before you talk to a healthcare provider about taking them yourself—so we’re here to give you some essential information.
Below, you’ll find resources about when and how these medications are used, as well as the side effects they can have and the different options you might take depending on what kind of help you need. Let’s get started.
Uses for GLP-1 agonists
GLP-1 receptor agonists are commonly prescribed for one of two reasons: either to help treat type 2 diabetes or manage weight in people who struggle with being overweight or obese.
Diabetes is a leading health problem in the United States, affecting over 11% of all people. Additionally, approximately 1 in 3 US adults are overweight, with obesity affecting over 42% of the country’s population. This helps explain why GLP-1 receptor agonists have seen such popularity in recent years.
A first option for treatment
Recent guidelines by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommend prioritizing the use of glucose lowering medications that have a beneficial effect on weight loss in diabetics who are also overweight or obese. GLP-1 medications contain ingredients for glycemic and weight management which effectively aid in the treatment of diabetes..
For obesity, most medical professionals still recommend adjusting your lifestyle before taking medication (including GLP-1 agonists). However, these medications have shown promise as useful ways to supplement healthy lifestyle choices.
Other uses
In 2023, the FDA also approved some GLP-1 medications as valid ways to reduce the risk of certain heart conditions. They can also potentially slow down chronic kidney disease, lower the risk of dementia, and reduce the occurrences of obesity-related cancers in diabetics.
How GLP-1 receptor agonists work
All GLP-1 receptor agonists work by lowering the level of sugar in your blood. They do this by affecting cellular GLP-1 receptors, which play a key role in producing insulin for your body.
Insulin directly affects the amount of sugar in your blood, as well as your liver, muscles, and body fat. So when you take GLP-1 receptor agonists, your body produces more insulin and your blood sugar levels go down.
They also slow down the rate at which food leaves your stomach and targets parts of your brain that cause hunger and cravings. As a result, you feel full longer and want to eat less—which can help you lose weight, especially when combined with diet and exercise.
Common GLP-1 receptor agonists
There are several GLP-1 receptor agonists that have been approved by the FDA for controlling blood sugar, but only a few have also been approved for weight loss (Wegovy®, Saxenda®):
- Semaglutide, which is used in medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy®
- Liraglutide, which is used in medications like Saxenda® and Victoza®
Semaglutide vs. liraglutide
As GLP-1 receptor agonists, semaglutide and liraglutide work in similar ways. However, there are a few differences when it comes to using them.
The most significant difference is that semaglutide can be injected once a week, whereas liraglutide requires daily injections. This may make semaglutide medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy® more convenient for many patients.
Side effects of GLP-1 Medications
- The most common side effects of GLP-1 medications are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can also lead to kidney damage if it is particularly intense.
- In rare cases, additional side effects like hypoglycemia may occur, although episodes appear to be minor and more likely in patients who take other medications that also lower blood glucose. Gallbladder problems have also been observed in some people taking these medications—and specific GLP-1 agonists (like Ozempic® and Wegovy®) have their own side effect profiles.
- Severe side effects of these medicines may include an increased risk of a rare type of inherited thyroid cancer, as well as an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy (a condition that can cause vision loss in people with diabetes).
- Wegovy® is reported to be associated with more side effects than Ozempic®, including headaches and feelings of weakness or fatigue. This may be due to the fact that Wegovy® contains a higher concentration of semaglutide than Ozempic® does.
We’ve written extensively about specific GLP-1 agonists and their potential side effects. To learn more about the side effects of Ozempic® and Wegovy®, explore the following articles on Lemonaid Health:
- Ozempic® vs. Wegovy®: What’s the Difference?
- The Ultimate Guide to Ozempic: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More
- The Ultimate Guide to Wegovy: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More
Using GLP-1 medications
These medications can be beneficial for people struggling with diabetes or obesity, but they aren’t right for everybody. Here’s some information to help you and your healthcare provider make responsible decisions for your long-term health:
Who should avoid GLP-1 medications
GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and liraglutide may not be right for you if any of the following conditions apply:
- You are allergic or hypersensitive to GLP-1 receptor agonists
- You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- You have severe gastroparesis or inflammatory bowel disease
- You have a personal or family history of specific thyroid conditions, including multiple endocrine neoplasia (2A or 2B)
,or medullary thyroid cancer - You have had pancreatitis or develop it while on these drugs
- You are taking other semaglutide medications
- Boxed Warning: Risk of Thyroid C-Cell Tumors
- GLP-1 medications have been linked to a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors based on animal studies. Specifically, in rodent studies, semaglutide, the active ingredient in GLP-1 medications, have been shown to cause thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures. Although the risk to humans has not been conclusively established, it is essential to be aware of the following precautionary measures.
How to use GLP-1 medications
Most GLP-1 medications are injected under the skin, although an oral form exists for semaglutide. The type you are taking will determine how often you need to inject it (as noted above, semaglutide is a weekly injection, while liraglutide needs to be injected every day).
If your healthcare provider prescribes a GLP-1 agonist medication to you, they will talk with you about the safest and most effective way to use it. Be sure to follow their instructions carefully to make sure you are using the appropriate amount of medication at the right time.
Frequently asked questions about GLP-1 medications
How do you qualify for GLP-1 medications for weight loss?
All GLP-1 medications that are FDA-approved for treating diabetes or obesity are prescription medications, so you’ll need to talk with a qualified healthcare provider. They will ask you questions about your health status and medical conditions to determine whether any of these medications are right for you.
How quickly do GLP-1 medications make you lose weight?
Taking these medications for diabetes management may result in modest weight loss, but taking formulations specifically for weight management can have more significant effects. One study showed that overweight or obese patients taking semaglutide lost nearly 6% of their body weight after 3 months, nearly 11% after 6 months, and a total of 15% of weight loss after 2 years.
Learn more about GLP-1 medications with Lemonaid Health
The more you know about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy®, the easier it is for you to talk with your healthcare provider about them and see if they might be right for you. Remember: you should never take these medications unless they have been prescribed to you by a qualified medical professional, and it’s vital to use them only as directed.
To talk with an expert about these medications, get started with Lemonaid Health. Our US-based healthcare professionals can answer your questions about GLP-1 agonists, and are able to prescribe appropriate medication if it’s clinically indicated.
Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Saxenda®, and Victoza® are all registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Novo Nordisk is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.
