GLP-1 receptor agonists — Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro — have been nothing short of revolutionary. A year on from their widespread availability, we have considerably more data on both their extraordinary benefits and real-world limitations.
People taking GLP-1 drugs for obesity lose an average of 15-22% of their body weight over the first year — outcomes previously achievable only through bariatric surgery. Long-term studies confirm cardiovascular benefits: reduced rates of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The drugs work only while you take them. Studies consistently show that the majority of lost weight returns within two years of stopping medication. Side effects — primarily nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort — cause roughly 15-20% of patients to discontinue treatment.
We are dealing with extraordinary efficacy and real-world complexity. The answer is to use them thoughtfully, as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. — Endocrinologist, Johns Hopkins