Weight Loss Shots: Uncover the Shocking Benefits and Hidden Risks You Need to Know!

The pursuit of weight loss has led to the exploration of various methods, including weight loss injections. With obesity rates rising, patients and doctors are increasingly considering in-demand drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. These medications, along with others like Mounjaro and Zepbound, have gained significant attention for their effectiveness in promoting weight loss. However, it's crucial to understand both the potential benefits and the associated risks before considering this option.

Understanding Weight Loss Injections

Weight loss injections are designed to assist the body in shedding unwanted pounds, offering a potential aid in weight management. These injections, when administered under medical supervision, can be highly effective in promoting rapid weight loss. Certain weight loss injections, such as lipotropic injections, are specifically formulated to target stubborn fat deposits.

The Science Behind GLP-1 Agonists

A new class of weight-loss injection drugs called GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide and dulaglutide has made headlines for their promise to help people lose weight. The drugs go by several different brand names, and more are being approved all the time. Previous weight loss drugs worked in a few different ways. Some suppressed appetite and made you feel fuller longer, but these could only be used for a limited time due to the side effects. This new class of drugs, the GLP-1 agonists, has been used for diabetes treatment since 2005, but they only have gotten approval for obesity treatment in the last decade. They work by slowing down gastric emptying. This makes patients feel fuller longer, helping them eat less. Studies have shown that patients can lose up to 20% of their body weight with GLP-1 agonists. That makes these drugs comparable to surgical options, like gastric sleeve surgeries. However, they also have some side effects, with many patients experiencing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. There have also been some recent reports that they might be linked to gastroparesis in some patients. What’s also interesting about these drugs is that GLP-1 is a neuropeptide. This means it’s made in the neuronal cells in the brain and released in the hypothalamus, which controls several metabolic and cardiovascular functions.

Benefits of Weight Loss Injections

Effective in Rapid Weight Loss: When administered under medical supervision, weight loss injections can be highly effective in promoting rapid weight loss.
Target Stubborn Fat Deposits: Certain weight loss injections, such as lipotropic injections, are specifically formulated to target stubborn fat deposits.
Boost Metabolism: Weight loss injections can enhance metabolic function, resulting in increased calorie burning.
Appetite Suppression: Some weight loss injections act as appetite suppressants, helping individuals control their hunger and reduce calorie intake.
Enhanced Energy Levels: Weight loss injections can provide an energy boost, which can be particularly advantageous during a calorie deficit.

The Role of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide

Ozempic and Wegovy, known as semaglutide, and Mounjaro, known as tirzepatide, are FDA-approved injectable medications developed to treat adult-onset diabetes; Wegovy and Mounjaro can be prescribed for weight loss alone. As blood sugar levels start rising, these medications help the pancreas make more of the hormone insulin. Insulin then helps blood sugar move into the body's cells to be used for energy. Khan says he has seen patients' insulin requirements drop by half by taking these relatively new meds. That they also help with weight loss is something of a happy accident: "We've sort of figured this out by mistake," Khan says. "In fact, the big studies coming out are telling us that [after taking one of these medications] for about a year to a year-and-a-half, people are achieving about 15% to 20% weight loss." Additionally, patients are seeing improved liver function and lower rates of stroke as well as kidney and heart disease. A study coming out in the next month or so is expected to show a 20% reduction in heart attacks, strokes, and death from a cardiovascular cause.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

Like any medical treatment, weight loss injections may carry potential side effects, including nausea, dizziness, headaches, or injection site reactions. Half or more of patients experience nausea, which usually fades in time as patients stick with treatment. Other gastrointestinal side effects include vomiting and diarrhea. Rare but serious side effects include pancreatitis, which Khan describes as inflammation of the pancreas that can result in nausea, vomiting, and the inability to tolerate oral liquids and solid food. "Usually, it's self-limited, but in rare cases, it can get serious," Khan says.

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Khan notes that he and his colleagues are seeing signs during endoscopies that Ozempic and Wegovy may slow the passage of food through the digestive system. "It is a concern for us," Khan says. "So much so, that there is now a hospitalwide policy that patients must hold their GLP-1 medication for one week prior to their endoscopy. The presence of food can cause us to have to abort a procedure. It also increases the risk for a patient to have complications of sedation such as aspiration.

Long-Term Considerations

Everything we know about these medicines suggests you can't stop them without gaining back the weight and losing any gained control over diabetes, Khan says. Before he'll write a prescription for a weight-loss drug, Khan talks with patients to find out how seriously they've taken their previous weight-loss attempts, and he discusses the financial burden and potential side effects-including the possibility of needing to stay on the drug for life. "This is not a decision I make in a single visit," he says.

Do people need to stay on the drug to prevent regaining the weight? That is what all the early data is telling us. They’ve done a number of studies and for people who have been on a weight-loss drug for a year or two and then go off, they usually regain around 50% of the weight they lost. It’s also true that a small subset of people who exercise regularly and completely change the way that they eat - including eating less-processed and lower-calorie food - can maintain the weight loss.

The Broader Impact of Weight Loss Drugs

Popular prescription drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound have transformed the way overweight and obese individuals shed pounds. In the future, such drugs also could be used to address alcoholism and other addictions. Researchers in Sweden examined more than a quarter-million people with alcohol-use disorder and found those who had taken Ozempic and Wegovy cut their risk for hospitalization. It is one of a handful of recent studies showing the connection between weight-loss drugs and reduced drinking.

The science behind it makes total sense based on what we know about how the drugs work. They curb appetites by working directly in the “reward center” of the brain. That is where addictions happen as well. So, you can see how a drug that reduces appetites could work for other kinds of cravings and addictions. I’m really interested to see what ongoing studies will show about using weight-loss drugs for alcohol and drug addiction.

Potential Downsides Highlighted by Research

Al-Aly emphasized that his study also highlighted potential downsides to the medications, including an increased risk of gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in rare cases paralysis of the stomach. “These have been well documented in the research and anecdotally,” Al-Aly said. But what is novel is the potential ways GLP-1RA drugs can negatively affect the pancreas and kidneys. While these adverse effects are uncommon, they can be very serious; physicians must be vigilant for signs of pancreatitis and monitor kidney function among people taking GLP-1RA medications.

Cautions and Considerations

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Do not use this medicine for at least 2 months before you plan to become pregnant. It is very important to carefully follow any instructions from your health care team about:

Alcohol-Drinking alcohol may cause severe low blood sugar. Discuss this with your health care team.
Other medicines-Do not take other medicines during the time you are using semaglutide unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes nonprescription medicines such as aspirin, and medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems.
Counseling-Other family members need to learn how to prevent side effects or help with side effects if they occur. Also, diabetic patients may need special counseling about diabetes medicine dosing changes that might occur because of lifestyle changes, such as changes in exercise and diet. Furthermore, counseling on contraception and pregnancy may be needed because of the problems that can occur during pregnancy in patients with diabetes.
Travel-Keep a recent prescription and your medical history with you. Be prepared for an emergency as you would normally. Make allowances for changing time zones and keep your meal times as close as possible to your usual meal times.
In case of emergency-There may be a time when you need emergency help for a problem caused by your diabetes. You need to be prepared for these emergencies. It is a good idea to wear a medical identification (ID) bracelet or neck chain at all times. Also, carry an ID card in your wallet or purse that says that you have diabetes and a list of all of your medicines.
This medicine may increase the risk of having thyroid tumors. Tell your doctor right away if you have a lump or swelling in your neck or throat, trouble swallowing or breathing, or if your voice gets hoarse.
Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have sudden and severe stomach pain, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, or lightheadedness.
Check with your doctor right away if you have gaseous stomach pain, indigestion, recurrent fever, severe nausea or vomiting, stomach fullness, or yellow eyes or skin. These may be symptoms of gallbladder problems (eg, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis).
This medicine may cause diabetic retinopathy. Check with your doctor if you have blurred vision or any other changes in vision.
This medicine does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). However, low blood sugar can occur when you use semaglutide with other medicines, including insulin or sulfonylureas, that can lower blood sugar. Low blood sugar also can occur if you delay or miss a meal or snack, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, or cannot eat because of nausea or vomiting.
Symptoms of low blood sugar include anxiety, behavior change similar to being drunk, blurred vision, cold sweats, confusion, cool, pale skin, difficulty with thinking, drowsiness, excessive hunger, fast heartbeat, headache (continuing), nausea, nervousness, nightmares, restless sleep, shakiness, slurred speech, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
If symptoms of low blood sugar occur, eat glucose tablets or gel, corn syrup, honey, or sugar cubes, or drink fruit juice, non-diet soft drink, or sugar dissolved in water to relieve the symptoms. Also, check your blood for low blood sugar. Glucagon is used in emergency situations when severe symptoms including seizures or unconsciousness occur. Have a glucagon kit available, along with a syringe and needle, and know how to use it. Members of your family should also know how to use it.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, mouth, or throat while you are using this medicine.
Check with your doctor right away if you have bloody urine, decreased amount of urine, increased blood pressure, increased thirst, loss of appetite, lower back or side pain, nausea, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, trouble breathing, weight gain, or vomiting. These may be symptoms of dehydration which can lead to serious kidney problem.
This medicine may cause severe stomach or bowel problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have belching, bloated or full feeling, blood in stools, constipation, diarrhea, excess air or gas in the stomach, hiccups, nausea, stomach pain, uncomfortable swelling around the anus, or vomiting.
This medicine may increase your heart rate while you are at rest. Check with your doctor right away if you have fast or pounding heart beat.
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may occur if you do not take enough or skip a dose of your antidiabetic medicine, overeat or do not follow your meal plan, have a fever or infection, or do not exercise as much as usual.
Symptoms of high blood sugar include blurred vision, drowsiness, dry mouth, flushed, dry skin, fruit-like breath odor, increased urination (frequency and amount), ketones in the urine, loss of appetite, stomachache, nausea or vomiting, tiredness, trouble breathing (rapid and deep), unconsciousness, or unusual thirst.
If symptoms of high blood sugar occur, check your blood sugar level and then call your doctor for instructions.
This medicine may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. Also tell your doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, including feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. If you or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

The Importance of Lifestyle Changes

Where these types of drugs can be helpful is that many obese people have a hard time making healthy lifestyle changes because it’s very difficult for them to exercise. If taking these drugs for a limited amount of time can help some lose weight quickly so they can get on an exercise plan they can stick to, then that’s helping lower cancer risk long-term. But it all comes back to the person making and sticking to those lifestyle changes, even after they stop taking the drugs.

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