GLP-1 drugs for weight loss

GLP-1 medications are an effective treatment option for obesity and are recommended for people who qualify for medication-assisted weight loss. GLP-1 drugs are a great choice for weight loss, especially if you have tried other weight loss methods with little to no success.

At Qilo, we assess you to see if any glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) drugs are right for you.

What are GLP-1 Receptor Agonists ?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a class of medications known as incretin mimetics. They mimic the effects of the naturally occurring incretin hormone GLP-1 in the body known as the incretin hormone. GLP-1 receptor agonists were originally approved for use in patients for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is recommended for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who have not seen any improvement with medications like metformin or sulfonylureas for blood sugar control. These diabetes drugs are used along with lifestyle therapy and a diet and exercise plan to control blood sugar levels. GLP-1 agonists are under a class of drugs known as incretin mimetics, meaning they mimic incretin - a naturally produced hormone in the body.

GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone that is released from the small intestine after eating. When blood sugar levels start to rise after someone eats, these drugs stimulate the body to increase insulin secretion into the bloodstream as well as inhibit glucagon secretion. The extra insulin helps lower blood sugar levels, in turn helping individuals with type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 also slows down the emptying of the stomach so that glucose stays in the stomach longer.

How do Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists assist in weight loss?

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) belong to a group of approved anti-obesity medications. They aid weight loss and longer-term maintenance of weight loss, despite being originally approved as diabetes medication.

GLP-1 medications are effective in reducing body weight and have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of obesity in patients with a BMI of over 27 with comorbidities or patients with a BMI of over 30 in the United States.

Research examining the mechanism of action of GLP-1RA therapy for weight loss shows that the drug is linked to decreased appetite and hunger, decreased preference for foods high in energy, altered food reward pathways, decreased food cravings, and improved eating control. GLP-1RAs work with your body's natural GLP-1 receptors to regulate weight loss, and metabolic function, as well as decrease your risk of other diseases. GLP-1s lead the pancreas to produce insulin after meals to bring down blood sugar, but they also bind to receptors in the brain to suppress appetite. These receptors release chemicals that help diminish the desire to eat, reducing your hunger. GLP-1s are natural chemicals but don't last long within the human body. That's why taking GLP-1s can help reduce your weight even though your body already produces its own.

In several clinical trials, persons with obesity who received GLP-1RA medication experienced more weight loss compared to those who received a placebo. The efficacy is minimized when not accompanied by the benefits of lifestyle change since clinical trials have shown that GLP-1s when taken as indicated with lifestyle changes including a balanced food diet and increased exercise, can give you 15% weight loss in only 12 months when compared to placebo.

According to studies, individuals who use specific GLP-1 medications for weight loss also experience improvements in their blood pressure, cholesterol levels, kidney, and liver function, as well as a markedly lower risk of developing heart disease, including heart failure and stroke, and kidney disease.

GLP-1 medications have a moderating effect on metabolism, as well as a positive impact on type 2 diabetes and weight loss. For instance, GLP-1RAs can enhance blood lipid profiles, lower sex hormone levels, increase adiponectin levels, control autophagy, inhibit the creation of liver glucose, lower liver fat content, lower plasma liver enzymes, and treat liver steatosis. They can also be used to prevent and treat metabolic illnesses like PCOS and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as well as endocrine problems.

How are GLP-1 medications administered?

GLP-1 medicines come in both oral and injectable forms.

Several GLP-1 medicines are administered by subcutaneous injection using a straightforward pen injector syringe. These GLP-1 drugs are easy to use and can be administered intravenously from the convenience of your home without the presence of a healthcare professional or physician. Short- and long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists are injected into the fatty tissue just below the skin's surface.

If a GLP-1 receptor agonist is recommended by your doctor, you will be shown how to administer it via injection into your upper thigh or abdomen. If you are unable to inject the medication yourself, have someone else do it.

Rybelsus and other oral GLP-1 medicines are taken every morning.
You might discuss sticking to oral medications with your doctor if you have reservations about injectable medications.

Warnings

Side Effects of GLP-1 medications

Almost 95% of people who take GLP-1 drugs do not have negative effects, making side effects relatively rare. In individuals who experience side effects, nausea or indigestion is frequently the most frequent and usually goes away within the first month of taking the medicine.

Additional typical adverse effects of GLP-1 drugs include flatulence, gastroenteritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. They can also cause headaches, fatigue, dyspepsia, dizziness, abdominal distention, and eructation. By taking another similar drug at the same time as GLP-1 medications, you run a major risk of hypoglycemia or acute kidney injury.

If you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or type 2 multiple endocrine neoplasia, you shouldn't take GLP-1 class medications (MEN2). They are not suggested if you have ever experienced pancreatitis. Speak with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your family history and ability to use a GLP-1 receptor agonist prescription.

Alternative medication

The two types of GLP-1 receptor agonists are short-acting formulations, which are taken once or twice a day, and long-acting formulations, which are taken once a week. The type given depends on a variety of factors, including medical history, cost (GLP-1 receptor agonists can be expensive), individual choice, and blood sugar management efficiency.