glp 1 drug side effects Part 2 of a 3-Part Series; GLP-1 Medications for Weight Loss What Are the Side Effects

(2025, December 9)

Less Common but Serious Side Effects Some less common but more serious GLP-1 side effects are worth being aware of: Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) Gallbladder problems (including gallstones) Acute kidney injury (usually as a result of severe dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea) Diabetic retinopathy worsening (particularly in patients with rapid improvement in blood sugar control) Hypoglycemia (when combined with other diabetes medications like sulfonylureas or insulin) All GLP-1 medications also carry a warning regarding a theoretical risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma, based on animal studies

There is one FDA-approved over-the-counter alternative to Wegovy: Alli, but it is less effective Alli is a lower-strength version of the weight-loss medication orlistat, which is also available in prescription-strength form as Xenical

A newer nationwide study from France did find a possible link between GLP-1 use and thyroid cancer, especially MTC, in people treated for 13 years

The enzymes is called DPP-4 (dipeptidyl peptidase-4) and the new medications are called DPP-4 inhibitors or gliptins