Millions of Americans are utilizing GLP-1 medications as a part of their weight loss efforts. However, a doctor emphasizes that there is one consistent effect experienced by every patient who takes these drugs.
Rand reports that approximately 12 million individuals in the United States are currently using weight loss medications to expedite their body transformation processes.
GLP-1 medications are effective because they influence the brain’s appetite center, making individuals feel fuller for extended periods.
This effect helps those who struggle with overeating to consume less, thereby creating a calorie deficit.
While this method is effective for weight loss, side effects are frequently reported.
However, with GLP-1 medications, a particular symptom is invariably experienced by all patients, according to a medical professional.
Stanford highlights that the most prevalent side effects of GLP-1 drugs are related to the gastrointestinal tract, encompassing the stomach, intestines, and bowels.
Because these medications delay the digestive process to maintain the sensation of fullness, a variety of side effects may occur.
These side effects commonly include:
Although side effects can vary from person to person, Janey Pratt, MD, a clinical professor of surgery at Stanford Medicine, points out that one specific side effect is unavoidable.
“A hundred percent of patients who try these medications have nausea — 100%,” Pratt stated. “Whether they end up vomiting and missing school or work just depends on the person. But side effects are very under-reported.”
This phenomenon occurs because the medications slow stomach emptying, which leads to feelings of fullness, bloating, and nausea.
It is comparable to consuming a heavy meal that lingers in the stomach for extended periods, causing discomfort.
According to Skip Pack Pharmacy, these symptoms are usually temporary.
Their website notes: “Most people experience nausea within the first 48 hours after starting the medication or after each dose increase. The symptoms are typically mild to moderate and tend to decrease in frequency and severity once you’ve been on a stable dose for a while. Many people find that nausea is most bothersome in the morning or after going long periods without eating.”