New weight loss drugs and their potential long-term effects

Weight loss has become a major concern for a large percentage of the US population, many of whom are looking for ways to lose the excess weight they have gained over the years. New weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound have become popular among the masses, and many people are hopeful that they will help them lose weight and keep it off. However, before taking any prescription medication, people should consider several factors that can impact their ability to lose weight in the long term.

What are the new weight loss drugs?

All the new weight loss drugs mimic the action of a naturally occurring substance called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 and the drugs that mimic it stimulate insulin secretion and slow food emptying from the gastrointestinal tract so patients feel full longer. Unlike naturally occurring GLP-1, which lasts for only minutes in the body, GLP-1-mimicking drugs can last for days. These medications also seem to affect the appetite pathway in the brain, reducing food cravings. The latest generation of weight loss drugs—Wegovy and Zepbound—are taken as weekly injections. Saxenda is a daily injection, and new drugs in development may one day be taken orally.

What are the potential long-term effects of the drugs?

As with any prescription medication, weight loss drugs come with potential side effects that people need to be aware of before starting them. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most common side effects after taking these drugs, but in many patients, adjusting the dosage and gradually bringing them up to a higher weekly dose can ease symptoms. Spicy or fatty foods can make nausea worse. Patients are also advised that the medications can impact the effectiveness of certain medications, including diabetes medications such as insulin, leading to lower blood sugars. Moreover, weight loss drugs have long-term effects on patients who will need to take them for the rest of their lives to maintain their weight loss. Patients need to monitor how much they eat going forward, consuming several small meals throughout the day, even if they want to eat more. Loss of muscle mass and skin elasticity are common side effects as weight loss continues and can be particularly problematic in older individuals.

What are the costs involved?

The costs of these drugs—$12, 000-$16, 000 per person per year—limit who has access and threaten to bankrupt the healthcare system. However, the costs of obesity can be equally staggering. If paid for by health insurance at all, medications or surgery are usually only covered for those with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 and higher if a person also has other medical issues such as heart disease, sleep apnea, diabetes, or hypertension. Even accounting for their health benefits, studies have shown that the total annual health care cost for patients adhering to the drug doubled in the first year, from approximately $13, 000 per person before starting the drug to $26, 000 after.

What other options are available for weight loss?

Gastric bypass and other types of weight loss surgery have been available for decades and involve altering sections of a person’s digestive system to help them lose weight. Surgery can be very invasive, although less invasive endoscopic procedures have been developed recently. While surgery, for some people, may be a more appealing option than taking medication for the rest of their lives, weight loss will plateau for these patients, as well. However, a combined GLP-1 agonist-Food Is Medicine approach will be the most cost-effective and equitable way to make the most of these new medicines to attack the obesity epidemic.

Conclusion

Obesity and its complications are an issue that can be treated. Medication or weight loss surgery is part of an entire treatment package that includes a nutritional plan that emphasizes unprocessed foods. People need to eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and get adequate sleep. Combined GLP-1 agonist/Food Is Medicine programs might be more effective at keeping weight down, and more cost-effective and equitable in the long run. While the new weight loss drugs have their share of side effects, research suggests that they have other benefits, including increasing efficient kidney function, decreasing sleep apnea, and having a wide range of positive effects on heart muscle, heart rate, and overall cardiac function.

Originally Post From https://now.tufts.edu/2024/07/08/tufts-experts-weigh-new-generation-weight-loss-medications

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