7 Mistakes People Make When Taking Weight Loss Drugs, According to Experts

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A recent survey of more than 1,000 adults found that one in four respondents said they would consider using an injectable medication for weight loss without consulting their doctor.
GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound, can help you lose weight, but only if taken correctly.
Obesity medicine professionals have identified six common mistakes people make with weight loss medications, even if they are obtained by prescription.

Weight loss medications like Ozempic have grown in popularity in recent years and research shows they can help with everything from the heart to the kidneys. But if they are not obtained or taken correctly, their effects can be limited or even dangerous.

One trend is of particular concern to health professionals. A poll conducted on behalf of Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center found that of 1,006 adults surveyed, about a quarter said they would consider using an injectable medication for weight loss without consulting their doctor .

People interested in these drugs can avoid seeing a doctor by purchasing the drugs from online pharmacies, which a recent study suggests often do not require a prescription. However, taking these products can be risky. The same study found that many online pharmacies selling semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, do not have a valid license and offer products containing unsafe dosages or ingredients.

Christopher McGowan, MD, a gastroenterologist and obesity medicine specialist, said Health that even if you are receiving a medicine containing semaglutide or tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound and Mounjaro, it would be a major mistake not to consult a doctor before taking it. “Semaglutide and tirzepatide are powerful injectable drugs that should not be used without medical supervision,” he said, adding that they can cause serious side effects such as severe nausea and vomiting, dehydration , intestinal obstruction and gallbladder disease.

While relying on over-the-counter weight loss medications is a significant concern, it’s not the only misstep people make when it comes to weight management medications, which belong to a class of medications called GLPs -1. Here are six more, according to obesity medicine professionals.