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If you have watched the news recently or been on social media, you have probably heard about the new magical weight loss drugs that everyone...
If you have watched the news recently or been on social media, you have probably heard about the new magical weight loss drugs that everyone seems to want to get their hands on. Names like Mounjaro, or Ozempic, or Semaglutide might sound familiar. In fact, there seems to be a move to start making some of these drugs available on the NHS for patients who meet strict criteria who live in areas that are starting to offer these weight loss medications. So yes, many people report satisfaction from using weight loss drugs to support weight management plans that can be very physically and psychologically taxing. However, as weight loss drugs are still medication, the risk of side effects is unavoidable. In this article we unpack some of the common side effects of prescription weight loss drugs. If you feel you need to use one of these medications, here at Meds For Less we feel it is important that you are fully informed about the potential risks of taking these “miracle” weight loss drugs before starting them.
So how do prescription drugs for weight loss actually work? Actually, many of these are actually prescription drugs with side effects of weight loss that were originally intended to treat a different condition like Type 2 diabetes. Maybe, a better question to consider is what prescription drugs have a side effect of weight loss? In the UK the available weight loss drugs can be split into two main categories in how they work. These are: suppressing appetite or blocking the absorption of fat. It is important to remember that these medications are not designed to completely replace lifestyle changes for weight management; weight loss medications are merely meant to contribute to lifestyle changes including a balanced and nutritious diet as well as regular physical activity.
| Appetite suppressant | Blocking fat absorption |
| One type of weight loss medication helps people lose weight by reducing sensations of hunger. This is because the medication enhances or mimics gut hormones (such as a hormone called GLP-1) involved in regulating blood sugar control and hunger signals.
Also, people taking this type of medication report feeling satiated or full for longer after eating. The resultant decreased caloric intake as well as the added benefit of improved blood sugar control can help people lose weight more easily. Some examples of licensed appetite suppressants include semaglutide (more commonly known as Ozempic) and tirzepatide (more commonly known as Mounjaro). These are probably the more well-known type of weight loss drugs. You can now get semaglutide weight loss online at many pharmacies. |
Other weight loss drugs work by blocking fat absorption. For example, these mechanisms do not break down all of the fat in food intake and instead some of it is passed into stool.
Some examples of weight loss medications that work by blocking fat absorption include Orlistat or Xenical. |
As you may have noted, there is a range of prescription drugs with side effects of weight loss available so the side effects may be slightly different depending on the weight loss drug. However, there are some more common side effects of prescription weight loss drugs. These are usually mild to moderate symptoms and should improve gradually as your body gets used to the medication. If you experience any side effects of prescription weight loss drugs and you are worried, or the side effects get worse or persist, please consult your healthcare provider for advice.
For medication that works by suppressing appetite (e.g Mounjaro, Ozempic), some more common side effects include:
For medication that works by reducing fat absorption, some common side effects include:
These are some more commonly seen side effects however, depending on factors such as your current health, lifestyle, and any pre-existing medical conditions these effects may vary from person to person. If you have any concerns, it is best to speak to your doctor about any unusual effects you have noticed after taking the weight loss medication.
Both main types of weight loss drugs work on the gastrointestinal system so unfortunately they both come with a risk of experiencing digestive or gastrointestinal issues. However, many of these prescription weight loss drugs side effects are associated with the early stage of using weight loss medication and should gradually decrease and go away as your body gets used to the medication.
The appetite suppressant weight loss drugs (e.g semaglutide, ozempic, mounjaro) can bring about gastrointestinal issues such as:
There may be some overlap in the gastrointestinal issues that you may experience when using the weight loss drugs that reduce absorption of fat from foods (e.g Orlistat). However, this type of weight loss drug can present a more characteristic set of digestive issues, especially on a high-fat diet. As a reminder, by reducing the absorption of fat from the diet, the undigested fat stays in the bowel which can lead to symptoms such as:
We should stress that weight loss medications are intended as a supportive option for people who meet certain criteria regarding Body Mass Index and risk factors to long-term health, these drugs are not intended for casual use or cosmetic weight loss. There are also some notable hormonal, metabolic, and appetite-related weight loss medication side effects that can occur. For example:
| Appetite changes | The appetite suppressant or GLP1-based medications (e.g Ozempic, semaglutide) suppress hunger by acting on gut hormones and the parts of the brain that regulate appetite. So what does this translate to when you take the medication?
Typically people report feeling less hungry and less food noise or cravings. They feel full sooner and this satiety lasts for a longer time than usual. This often leads to lower overall caloric intake without the usual feeling of deprivation or intense hunger that can make dieting difficult. Consequently, people often report progress in weight management. |
| Metabolic effects | GLP1-based medications (e.g Ozempic, semaglutide) were actually originally designed for blood sugar control for people who have type 2 diabetes. As such, these medications can lower overall blood sugar levels. If combined with other diabetes drugs, there is a small risk of the blood sugar dropping too low (something called hypoglycaemia) which can bring about symptoms such as sweating, shakiness, and dizziness. |
Overall, regardless of the direct effect of the medication, the resultant weight loss can help to improve overall health by lowering blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and improving blood pressure control.
Now that we have discussed the more common side effects of weight loss drugs including gastrointestinal issues (e.g nausea, oily stools, flatulence) and hormonal/metabolic changes (e.g appetite suppressing, risk of low blood sugar), it is worth devoting a standalone section to the more serious potential side effects to watch out for if you are using a weight loss drug. These include:
So at what point is it advised to consult a doctor? If you experience any of the serious weight loss pills side effects mentioned in the section above, you should seek urgent medical attention as it may be a medical emergency. More generally, if the side effects from taking the weight loss medication do not go away, get worse, or start to affect your daily life then you should consult a doctor or your healthcare provider. Weight loss medications that are bought privately should still come with some sort of medical monitoring plan to assess that you are using the medication safely.
Additionally, if you have any other long-term conditions (e.g heart problems, kidney conditions, or liver disease) then you should consult a doctor before starting any weight loss medication. This is to check that there are no interactions with any medication you are already taking and to assess if the benefits of taking the weight loss drug far outweigh the risks.