GLP-1 medications can be used for weight loss treatment. GLP-1 medications aid in weight loss by curbing appetite, slowing digestion, and boosting metabolism. Commonly prescribed GLP-1 medications include semaglutide and tirzepatide.
The best way to discover if a GLP-1 weight loss medication is right for you is submitting a Weight Loss visit. Your Hello Alpha provider will review information about your weight loss goals and medical history to determine an appropriate treatment plan for you. Submitting a visit does not guarantee a prescription.
You should not take GLP-1 medications if you:
- Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2)
- Are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Have a history of an eating disorder
- Have chronic malabsorption syndrome
- Have severe gastrointestinal disease such as gastroparesis
- Have type 1 diabetes
- Have a known allergy to a GLP-1 medication
In addition, caution advised if you:
- Have severe stomach problems such as problems digesting food
- Have or have had problems with your pancreas, kidneys, or liver
- Are nursing (it is unknown if GLP-1 medications passes into milk)
- Have type 2 diabetes and vision problems
If you are a female assigned at birth of reproductive age, please review the FAQ below regarding weight loss medications and birth control. Please message your Hello Alpha provider if you have any concerns about taking GLP-1 medications. Other alternatives are available.
If your Hello Alpha provider prescribes a GLP-1 medication, it is important to follow your provider's instructions as well as those that will ship with the medication. If you lose the insert or have any questions on how to self-administer, please message your Hello Alpha provider.
Wegovy administration information: https://www.wegovy.com/taking-wegovy/how-to-use-the-wegovy-pen.html
Ozempic administration information: https://www.ozempic.com/how-to-take/ozempic-pen.html
Zepbound administration information: https://zepbound.lilly.com/weight/how-to-use
Mounjaro administration information: https://mounjaro.lilly.com/how-to-use-mounjaro
GLP-1 medications come with risks and potential side effects. Some of these side effects can be serious. Please review the full safety summary and warnings that come with the medication.
Please be aware of your dosing. It is not recommended to increase your dose at any time without consulting your prescriber, as doing so could result in additional risks, side effects, or even harm. If you take too much medication, immediately contact your healthcare provider, seek in-person medical care, or contact a Poison Center expert at 1-800-222-1222.
Please message your Hello Alpha provider if you experience any of these side effects:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Injection site reaction
- Low blood sugar
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Change in lipase levels
- Increased heart rate
- Heartburn
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate in-person medical care. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text the National Mental Health Hotline at 988.
Talk to your Hello Alpha provider if you have any other medical conditions, and especially if you:
- have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
- have a history of vision problems related to diabetes
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF GLP-1 MEDICATIONS WILL HARM YOUR UNBORN BABY. You should stop using any GLP-1 medication at least two months before you plan to become pregnant. Talk to your Hello Alpha provider about the best way to control your blood sugar if you plan to become pregnant or while you are pregnant, are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.- Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with any GLP-1 medication.
PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING BEFORE TAKING A GLP-1 MEDICATION:
- Medullary thyroid cancer. GLP-1 medications have the potential risk of causing medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). You should not take a GLP-1 medication if you have a family history of MTC. If you feel a lump in or on your neck or have painful or difficult swallowing, trouble breathing, or persistent hoarseness in your voice, stop taking your GLP-1 medication and seek immediate in-person medical care.
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Symptoms can include sudden, severe, dull pain in your abdomen that may radiate to your back, tenderness when touching your abdomen, fever, upset stomach, vomiting, and fast heartbeat. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking your GLP-1 medication and seek immediate in-person medical care.
- Gallbladder problems. This can include gallstones. Symptoms can include sudden, severe pain in the upper right part of your abdomen, yellowing of your skin or the white parts of your eyes (jaundice), fever, chronic diarrhea, pale-colored stools, nausea, or vomiting. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking your GLP-1 medication and seek immediate in-person medical care.
- Low blood glucose, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes. When taken with another glucose-lowering medication, GLP-1 medications can cause low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). Symptoms can include shakiness, dizziness, sweating, fast heartbeat, irritability, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, feeling jittery, and blurred vision. Talk to your Hello Alpha provider about how to recognize and treat low blood sugar.
- Vision changes in patients with type 2 diabetes. If you experience vision changes, message your Hello Alpha provider.
- Increased heartbeat. If you experience racing heartbeat when you’re not performing strenuous activities, message your Hello Alpha provider.
- Kidney problems. Common side effects of GLP-1 medications include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. For people with existing kidney problems, these side effects can make kidney problems worse. Make sure you’re drinking enough fluids to avoid dehydration.
- Depression or thoughts of suicide. If you experience changes in your mental health, message your provider or seek immediate emergency medical care. You can always call or text the National Mental Health Hotline at 988.
- Allergic reaction. Stop taking GLP-1 medications if you experience swelling of your face, tongue, lips, or throat, rash, itching, fast heartbeat, problems swallowing or breathing, fainting, or dizziness.
The most common side effects of GLP-1 medications may include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, headache, tiredness, upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and runny nose or sore throat. Message your Hello Alpha provider if you have concerns about any of these side effects.
The class of GLP-1 medications may make oral hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills) less effective at certain points during your dosing schedule. If you are a female of reproductive age taking an oral hormonal contraceptive for birth control, we encourage switching to a non-hormonal contraceptive method. Ask your Hello Alpha provider about adding a barrier method of contraception (such as condoms or Phexxi) for 4 weeks after starting a GLP-1 medication and for 4 weeks after each increase in dose, which typically occurs every 4 weeks. Alternatively, you can seek care from an in-person OB-GYN to obtain an IUD or implant method of contraception.
Please discuss birth control options with your Hello Alpha provider. Do not take a GLP-1 medication if you become pregnant.GLP-1 medications may harm your unborn baby. Tell your Hello Alpha provider if you become pregnant while using a GLP-1 medication. It is not known if GLP-1 medication passes into your breast milk. Talk to your Hello Alpha provider about the best way to feed your baby while using GLP-1 medications.
