“You get a side effect!” and “You get a side effect!” “You all get a side effect!”
Hello again,
In the last couple of weeks, the office has been flooded with calls about the recent “Oprah” episode regarding GLP-1 medications. If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch it yet, stop reading this blog and go watch it!
Okay, you’re back. The episode was very accurate and informative, and I found myself agreeing with several points Oprah’s guests made. In this post, I would like to focus on what I have found to be the biggest barrier to new patients: side effects.
Let’s begin by defining exactly what we mean by side effects. Side effects also called adverse reactions, are unwanted effects that occur when a person starts a new medication. Sounds scary, right? Well, depending on the medication, they can be, and there are medications where the potential harm from the side effects is very concerning. This can become very frustrating not only to the patient but also to the provider since every patient is unique and is not going to have the same experience regarding both efficacy and side effects. With that uniqueness in mind, researchers document every result during clinical studies, or in better terms, the POTENTIAL result, which provides the necessary information for the provider and patient to make an informed choice regarding the start of a new medication.
However, since we are talking about GLP-1s, let’s look at the most common potential side effects of this amazing medication.
The following is a list of the most common complaints of GLP-1 medications
- 1
Nausea. While this is a commonly mentioned side effect, not everyone gets nauseous! We can also prescribe medication to combat nausea for those who may experience it and have tricks and tools to avoid it altogether.
- 2
Constipation. It’s not anyone’s favorite topic, but it’s necessary! We have recommendations and tools to avoid this as well. Of course, increasing water intake is always at the top of our list!
- 3
Heartburn. Lesser reported, but also often manageable with diet choices and/or intermittent supplements or medications.
These side effects vary from one degree to another based on the patient and how well they tolerate the medication. The good news is that in my practice, I have noted that when these present in the patient, they are not often debilitating and are manageable…especially with our consistent follow-up and monthly monitoring.
I will also say that not everyone has these side effects! Generally, I find this medication to be well tolerated in most patients! The other benefit of allowing us at Az Vitality and Wellness to partner with you in your wellness journey is that we have been prescribing semaglutide for quite a while and are well-versed in side effect management.
We also take each patient as an individual and provide treatment as such. This means that not everyone is on the same dose or increases the dose at the same rate or amount. We know that everyone responds differently, and we accommodate that. Our experience and knowledge not only provide success but mitigate or avoid potential concerning outcomes or side effects that tend to be rampantly reported on social media. We take your health and wellness seriously.
In closing, I again encourage you to watch the “Oprah” episode regarding semaglutide and come see me for a visit!
Until next time, friends, Stay Healthy, Stay Strong and always Stay Amazing,
Melynda Fenn FNP-C
