The dark side of weight-loss drugs

Millions of people are now using weight-loss drugs, but it seems there are side-effects that come with the slimmer waistlines

- SANDRINE CEURSTEMONT

Whether you like the idea of them or not, weight-loss drugs have changed the world.

Obesity levels in the US, which had been on the rise for years, are falling. National spend on food has shrunk, fashion outlets are selling fewer XXL-sized clothes and, here in the UK, one supermarket has even launched a ‘nutrient dense’ food range, aimed at helping people on these drugs adapt to their reduced food consumption – smaller portions, with more macronutrients.

Ozempic has fast become the poster child of these drugs, despite not being officially approved as a weight-loss drug in either the US or UK (it was designed to help those with type-2 diabetes). It falls into a class of drugs alongside Wegovy and Mounjaro (which are approved for weight-loss) that mimic the hormone GLP-1, which your body uses to tell your brain that you've eaten enough. The key ingredient in these appetite suppressants is usually semaglutide, or tirzepatide in the case of Mounjaro, but each one acts in a similar way.

Hijacking this mechanism can help those with obesity lose weight. This is important because carrying extra fat is a health risk – it makes you more likely to develop several conditions, from diabetes to heart disease, and even cancer.

But like any world-changing technology, semaglutide drugs have their critics. In this case, it’s health influencers leading the charge. They would rather you fast, switch diets, take up exercise or, better still, spend a nominal amount to join their online programmes and courses.

That said, with the widespread public adoption of these drugs in recent years, reports of side effects have begun cropping up. In some cases, semaglutide has led to malnutrition, gastric issues, mental health issues and eye problems. On top of that, many people are beginning to question what happens after they've lost the weight – how can they stop taking semaglutides and keep the inches off their waistlines?