Pharmacist strongly advises women against relying on weight loss drugs

When it comes to using weight loss drugs like Ozempic or Mounjaro, I caution against relying on them as a primary method to maintain or lose weight. We often see these drugs being promoted by influencers and celebrities on social media, but they’re not medical professionals, and they rarely discuss the intricate health risks associated with them. It’s important to recognize that these medications aren’t straightforward solutions for weight loss; they come with complex health implications that should be carefully considered.

These medications, initially developed for diabetes, have weight loss as a side effect, and they’re becoming a go-to solution for some who want to slim down fast. But this approach has its pitfalls. Firstly, these drugs aren’t a substitute for healthy habits like a balanced diet and regular exercise. Relying solely on medication can lead to neglecting these fundamental aspects of health. Plus, there are risks of side effects, and long-term impacts are still not fully understood, especially in people who don’t have diabetes. Then there’s the psychological aspect. If these drugs are perceived as a magic bullet for weight loss, it could shift our view on what’s healthy or desirable.

And don’t forget the cost and accessibility issues. These drugs are expensive and not always covered by insurance for weight loss purposes. This could lead to a situation where only those who can afford them have access to this ‘shortcut’ to the perceived ideal body.

Weight loss drugs may help some, particularly for medical needs, but they shouldn’t be a go-to for weight control. It’s better to focus on overall health and well-being, which means tackling the root causes of weight issues and promoting a healthier, long-term lifestyle, rather than relying on quick, temporary fixes. For example, if someone is gaining weight due to stress-related eating, using a weight loss drug may provide temporary relief but doesn’t address the root problem of stress.

There’s limited scientific research on the long-term effects of discontinuing Ozempic, so it’s challenging to definitively outline these consequences. However, the primary observation noted by individuals after stopping Ozempic is weight regain. A study highlighted in the National Library of Medicine, titled “Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension,” found that one year post-discontinuation, individuals tended to regain about two-thirds of the weight they had initially lost while on the medication.

As a pharmacist, my perspective is that prescribing GLP-1 medications, which cost about $1,000 per month, to millions of Americans who may not necessarily suffer from obesity or diabetes, is not a viable approach. While these medications are established in the treatment of diabetes, their long-term effects on weight loss in a broad range of patients remain unclear. This uncertainty highlights the need for a more individualized approach to weight loss treatments, rather than a blanket prescription of expensive drugs like GLP-1s.

~ Katy Dubinsky, a PharmD, CEO, and co-founder of Vitalize, specializes in creating custom-formulated supplements